Book Review: Rafa Was My Robot

Book: Rafa Was My Robot by Alexandra Dellevoet with artwork by Ken Turner

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

A gentle tale of love, friendship, and loss.

Rafa the robot goes everywhere with Jacob -- to swim lessons, to school, and even on trips to far-off places. One day, Rafa doesn't feel well, so Jacob takes him to the doctor. When the doctor explains that Rafa's special robot battery needs replacing, Jacob travels the world to find the right one. Sadly, he comes back empty-handed, and one day soon after, as Jacob holds Rafa's hand, his robot friend dies. Jacob is heartbroken, but he creates a memorial that helps him honor Rafa so that he is always close by.



Rating: 4 stars

Review:

This is a sad yet sweet story about Jacob and his best friend Rafa the robot. They were inseparable and did everything together. One day when the two friends were playing Rafa started to not feel good and Jacob quickly took him to see the doctor.

The diagnosis wasn't good and Jacob tried his best to figure out a way to make Rafa better but it was impossible.

Rafa Was My Robot is a story that can help children deal with or get an understanding of death. This is not an overwhelming story but it gently approaches the subject and the artwork which has a watercolor look to it goes from bright and cheerful to a little muted back to bright and cheerful as Jacob comes to understand.

Death is a hard subject to talk about even more so for a child and this book has a good story to help children understand about death and grieving.