Synopses & Reviews
Man the machines and help clean up the junkyard in this rousing robot story that encourages community building.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The yard has junk! Stacks and heaps and piles of junk as far as the eye can see. But the Munching Machine robots are on the joband#8212;itand#8217;s time to get cleaning! And after a whole lot of CRUNCHING, CHEWING, CHOMPING, SLURPING, and SWEEPING, whatand#8217;s next? Time to get BUILDING, DIGGING, PLANTING, and DECORATING the new park for everyone to enjoy!andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Fun, rhyming text paired with irresistible robots and radiant results make this an engaging read-aloud that will inspire clean-up projects of all sizes.andlt;I andgt;andlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"Two civic-minded robots dubbed the Munching Machines decide to turn their junkyard home...into a fabulous community garden and playground.... Austinand#8217;s digital illustrations are exuberantly jumbled and layered, making for a bright, colorful mess with an appropriately distressed texture reminiscent of block printing."
Review
"Supersized robots made from spare parts are sad to find that the yard is such a mess . . . . Earthy colors dominate the digital illustrations when depicting the messy junkyard, turning to bright greens, blues, and reds when the garden is planted and the park is ready for outdoor fun. The simple sentences and rhyming text create a singsong read-aloud. Children will understand the message about the environment and enjoy these delightful robots."
Review
"This will likely whip off library shelves and into the hands of young robotloving readers. . . . Beyond the clever rhymes and bright, friendly colors of this ode to caring for the environment, the two smiling, gear-chested robots munching on every form of vehicle imaginable are the very stuff of little boysand#8217; dreams. Austinand#8217;s (andlt;iandgt;Monsters Love Colorsandlt;/iandgt;, 2013) background in design is clear in the simple but sharply defined shapes full of personality and playfulness, perfect for inviting young readers into the yard for a smash-and#8217;em-up romp of a good time."
About the Author
Mike Austinandnbsp;is the author-illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Monsters Love Colorsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Monsters Love Schoolandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Junkyardandlt;/iandgt;. Heandnbsp;lives with his wife, artist Jing Jing Tsong, and their two children in Kona, Hawaii.Mike Austinandnbsp;is the author-illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Monsters Love Colorsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Monsters Love Schoolandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Junkyardandlt;/iandgt;. Heandnbsp;lives with his wife, artist Jing Jing Tsong, and their two children in Kona, Hawaii.