"Sis!
What is it?
Is it a human?
No, I think it is a robot
or something like that.
A robot?
Don't touch it!"
Life for young siblings, JieJie and DiDi, is lonely and bleak in the desert as they wait for phone calls from their mother. She is working in Oasis City, always hoping to earn enough to have her children join her there. As the days pass, they eat the tasteless rations provided, gather water, roam the desert, and do their best to keep themselves safe from relentless sandstorms. They want to be brave for their worried mother who had to leave them behind.
Oasis City produces mountains of trash. Picking through that trash and knowing it is dangerous holds a fascination for younger brother Didi. While searching one day, they find a broken robot and take it home with them. JieJie, who has worked with her mother on various projects, is adept enough to get it working.
"Thanks for using the OASIS AI service.
We make your life perfect.
She can talk.
System restart.
Body damaged.
Self-repairing.
The system has been
successfully repaired.
Please state your wish."
Because it is DiDi's birthday, the wish is his. He wants a mom. The very reliable robot takes on a maternal role. and makes life better for the children when they need her the most. When their mother cannot reach them at the designated time, she risks everything by abandoning her job and returning home. A confrontation occurs when she learns what has happened. Robot mom is damaged; the children are frightened and upset; their mom works to repair the robot who has cared for the children and loved them while she could not be with them. With understanding and ingenuity, can the two mothers find a way to a better life together?
Guojing, as she has done in her other books, works wonders with relatable characters who are filled with love and hope. The children are the focus. The family they have may be atypical; their bonds are clear and hopeful. Her illustrations are spectacular, allowing readers to envisage this dystopian world while also creating warmth through tiny glimpses of color and expression-filled faces. Her dedication honors the children who are 'left behind' when their parents are forced to find work elsewhere. Brilliant!
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