STEM Friday #Kidlit Robo-Motion: Robots That Move Like Animals

Want to put some cutting-edge technology in your STEM? Check out this new one-of-a-kind picture book, Robo-Motion: Robots That Move Like Animals by Linda Zajac.

With side-by-side photographs of robots and their real life inspirations, the author reveals twelve robots that are designed to look and/or move like animals, from bats to kangaroos. And the robots aren’t just for fun. Using simple language, she points out how each one is designed to perform specific tasks that would be difficult for humans to carry out.

For an example — that isn’t in the book — engineers have designed a drone that looks like and flies like a hawk or falcon. Why? To take a pass over runways at airports before an airplane takes off. The drone scares away any birds hanging around that might be hit, a hazard to the plane and to themselves. Cool project and there are many more like this in the book.

The back matter includes a brief discussion of biomimicry, a glossary, and a list for further reading.

The best part is the book ends with a gentle call to action challenging young readers to dream up and design their own animal robots.

Robo-Motion will excite budding robot engineers and animal lovers alike. Investigate a copy today!

Related Activity Suggestions:

  1. Check out the teacher resources on Linda Zajac’s blog. You will need a Google Drive account to download.
  2. Robot activities for ages 3-7 at Inventors of Tomorrow website. (has numerous ads)
  3. Animal robot lesson at NSTA (requires purchased robots)

You can see many examples of animal robots in this video. It does have ads, so check for suitability before sharing with children.

Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 – 9 years
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Millbrook Press ™ (September 7, 2021)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541581261
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541581265

Disclosure: This book was an e-ARC by the publisher. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books. Note: this is a new link as of 10/2018.

1 Comment

  1. Sue Heavenrich

    This is a wonderful book! Fun to read.

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