Robot world will delight and entertain

So begins Robotales, an endearing tale of five robots who find themselves in a strange new world.

Robotales is written by teacher and University of Melbourne alumni, Luke Jackson, who graduated from the Diploma of Education 12 years ago, after previously studying Visual and Performing Arts at the VCA/Melbourne. Having taught for 10 years at the Distance Education Centre Victoria, he says he always loved storytelling and wanted to try his hand at creating stories to captivate young learners like the ones he teaches in his classroom.

“The inspiration for Robotales came from wanting to explore some basic concepts, such as the quest for identity, and the instinct to make friends, in a way that would make sense to kids.” says Mr Jackson. “I’ve always loved robots and they hold a fascination with many young children, rather like dinosaurs. Robots have universal appeal.”

Robotales opens with Miboi waking up in an underground laboratory, with very few memories of previous life.

Miboi does, however, remember his old master, Professor Willoughby, who always used to call him ‘my boy’. He finds some of the Professor’s notes, and quickly assembles four friends – Roobot, Picasso, Zippy and Birdbot.

The robots are a ragtag bunch. “Roobot teetered here and there, whistling in a worried fashion . . . Zippy zoomed about, excited to be alive. Roobot bounced around, crashing into everybody and apologising profusely.”

The five new friends embark on an adventure together, exploring the Professor’s laboratory. Everything changes, however, when they come across a mysterious box and Miboi’s memories come flooding back.

Beautifully illustrated by Antoine Toniolo, Robotales offers a compelling mystery sure to grab children’s imaginations. The story offers an enticing world to explore, which extends beyond the book into digital media.

This is likely to be just the first of many instalments of the tales of Miboi and his robot friends. Fans can visit
www.whereiswilloughby.com
to learn the latest about the robots’ hunt for the Professor and follow their adventures on social media.