A Case of the Zaps
By: Alex Boniello, April Lavalle
A kid robot named Pi from planet Robot-Earth is invited on a field trip to Olde Silicon Valley, but they are overcome with a scary feeling called the Zaps, so Pi must find the courage to learn how to deal with their anxiety.
AI Overview
Title: A Case of the Zaps Authors: Alex Boniello and April Lavalle Illustrator: James Kwan
Key Themes
- Anxiety and Mental Health: The book addresses anxiety and mental health in a way that is accessible to readers of all ages. It explores the spectrum of mental health dilemmas, from momentary worries to persistent anxiety and depression.
- Inclusion and Diversity: The story features a nonbinary kid robot named Pi, promoting inclusive storytelling and representation.
- Robot Adventure: The narrative combines humor and heart, making it a fun and engaging read for young readers. It follows Pi's adventures and misadventures as they navigate their daily life and a field trip to Olde Silicon Valley.
Plot Summary
The story revolves around Pi, a young nonbinary robot who loves to listen to music, play with their dog, and hang out with friends. When their teacher announces a field trip to Olde Silicon Valley, Pi is thrilled but also starts to worry about all the things that could go wrong. During the trip, Pi experiences strange feelings they describe as "Zaps," which they try to avoid but continue to occur. Despite having a firewall installed, Pi is perplexed by these zaps and must find a way to understand and manage them.
Critical Reception
While specific critical reviews are not extensively documented in the provided sources, the book has been praised for its approach to mental health and its engaging narrative. It is highlighted as a valuable tool for sparking conversations about anxiety and mental health among readers of every generation. The collaboration between the authors and illustrator has been noted as a dream team effort, with Alex Boniello and April Lavalle bringing their respective backgrounds in Broadway and Teen Nick to the project, and James Kwan providing New York Times-featured illustrations.
Additional Information
- Read-Aloud Availability: The book is available as a read-aloud option, which can be particularly useful for bedtime stories or educational settings.
- Target Audience: The book is designed to be appealing to a wide range of readers, from young children to families and educators looking to address mental health issues in a positive and engaging way.
Overall, "A Case of the Zaps" is a heartwarming and humorous picture book that tackles anxiety and mental health in an inclusive and accessible manner, making it a valuable addition to any family library.