When Artie and Gizmo discover a tiny, shivering mouse who is all alone, this helpful duo immediately jumps into action. But how do you make a scared little mouse feel safe and warm when you are so big and he is so small?
Perfect for cozy bedtimes and shared reading, this heartwarming tale teaches young readers ages 2–6 the power of empathy, the joy of welcoming others, and how even the smallest act of kindness can make a giant difference.
When Artie and Gizmo discover a tiny, shivering mouse who is all alone, this helpful duo immediately jumps into action. But how do you make a scared little mouse feel safe and warm when you are so big and he is so small?
Perfect for cozy bedtimes and shared reading, this heartwarming tale teaches young readers ages 2–6 the power of empathy, the joy of welcoming others, and how even the smallest act of kindness can make a giant difference.
Arthur Russell Smith and Craig Orback's The Robe Squad: A Charlestown Tail is undeniably, and in the best sense of the word, sweet. It is a beautiful, friendly, tender story that reminds us all that empathy and care matter to even the meekest among us.
Based on the author's lived experience, this tale follows Artie and his dog Gizmo as they lead a lovely, quiet life. They enjoy playing together, eating, and going for walks in their bathrobes around Boston Harbor. But when they find a shivering mouse while out on one of their evening strolls, Artie hatches a plan to help this new friend. It's a story of kindness, compassion, and problem-solving with a well-earned resolution.
While cute and heartwarming, The Robe Squad is also an example of smart picture book writing. Smith gives careful attention to crafting language for his audience of children aged 2-6. But this intentionality also avoids demeaning said audience with oversimplification. While there are available lessons to gloss from the text, Smith resists using blunt didacticism, allowing the reader to feel and interpret the story using evidence provided by the plot and visible character motivations.
Orback's illustrations compliment Smith's writing perfectly in this glowingly successful collaboration. Featuring landmarks and textures of the Boston area in its backgrounds, architecture, and overall visual tone, the book achieves a sophisticated anchoring in place.
In fact, this is one of the most special qualities of the book—its consciousness of location. As the subtitle indicates, this is definitely a story of Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood. It's possible that we don't give the hometown picture book enough attention as a medium. To see a picture book like this in your local bookshop or library means something. Your town contains stories worth telling and inspires creativity. Smith and Orback may have crafted the perfect book to capture realities about the Charlestown area. It is a visually beautiful place populated by warm, caring people.
The Robe Squad is a brilliant picture book and surely a fun read for both young kiddos and their families. But it also strikes this reviewer as a quality gift or souvenir from Charlestown and the greater Boston Harbor area. Let's hope that Smith and Orback have a sequel in the works.