Back in 1943, scientists started to receive a mysterious transmission. The created WOT, a small robot, to house this alien communication, and this book houses a collection of documents and case notes of what they learned about this intelligence, as it wanders through our world, noticing the small details of life and sometimes day dreaming!
Russell Jones is an Australian author and artist. This book is styled to look like a scrapbook style amalgam of files, with photos, blueprints, notes and illustrations. WOT himself is a whimsical and friendly looking white robot, who seems to have a gentle curiosity and enjoyment of life.
Some of the language in this book may be a little technical or complex for younger readers, but I don’t think that should put anyone off purchasing this book. It adds to the enigmatic nature of WOT himself and makes it all feel a little more real for the reader. As though they found a very benign secret government file themselves that they can dip into and that might inspire the imagination.
This book is a picture book, and showcases the artists work, with different scenes of WOT either interacting with nature or daydreaming about other worlds. The way that WOT displays a gentle curiosity that most people lose or forget with age means that this is a story or book that could appeal to children or the child in all of us. I think WOT is very cute and likeable, and I would have loved even more included art works of the little chap, roaming through our world, stopping to talk to bugs, smell the roses and taste the sunsets. It’s all very whimsical, but never descends into the twee. It’s very visually appealing.
Since it’s only a short book, I don’t have too much to say about it, but I really liked it and I know someone who will be getting their own copy for Christmas. I would have really liked sinking into this book as a child and pretending it was all real. And I know my brother would have loved the way it’s set up as a whole file, with blueprints and things, as well as the way it’s all a bit of a mystery at heart. What is WOT? Perhaps it’s all of us, perhaps it’s the human experience, or perhaps it’s just a charming little robot on an adventure to experience our planet. Either way, he’s lovely.
Read It If: this is a delightful, gently humorous and beautiful book about the human experience that will please adults and children alike. I think this one would make a great gift.
Thank you to the author for the copy of this book for review.
WOT on Earth is available on Amazon and Amazon AU. You can also find out more about WOT and his adventures, as well as purchase prints and more at Russell Jones Website HERE.
