This is exactly the kind of picture book that works: funny, fast-paced, with a smart girl who dreams big and accidentally causes mayhem. The illustrations (from Dan Santat, who's legitimately talented) elevate it beyond a simple story.
It's not trying to teach a heavy-handed lesson about failure or perseverance—it's just a fun romp about a robot gone wild. But kids will absorb the underlying message anyway: ambitious ideas are worth trying, even when they go sideways.
The STEM representation is a nice bonus—a girl with glasses and pigtails who's the smartest kid in the room, not the sidekick. At 2010, it still feels fresh enough for modern kids, and the comic-book style keeps it visually interesting. A solid addition to any picture book rotation, especially during science fair season when your kid needs to see that even the best projects can go hilariously wrong.
