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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I saw the movie as a kid when it came out years ago. Though this is certainly much different, being the originator for the movie's plot, it still remains similar enough so that those familiar with the movie will be still able to recognize it. And that's what makes it really fun. The differences are both subtle and huge, and both are so incredibly creative and enthusiastic, and it made for the reading experience to be utterly fantastic for me, especially with how much is going on with the illustrations! I think this will still be a kid-pleaser today.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
constant_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
libraryrobin's review against another edition
2.0
A sci-fi story that is really scattered and needed more focus. I sensed a little Addams Family kookiness in the beginning which was fun. There was a nod to Michigan J Frog and a couple of cool musicians. Some of the art deco aesthetic was appealing but over all this book just didn't work for me.
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
3.0
This book tells the story of a "dull" day in the Robinson household. It's full of a lot of imaginative nonsense, and is well illustrated.
cacia's review against another edition
2.0
Although I almost always like the concepts of Mr. Joyce's books, for some reason I hardly ever like the books themselves. This book was no exception. I wanted to like it — I found the movie charming, clever, heartwarming, and hilarious* — but the book simply fell flat for me. Even if I disregarded the illustrations, which are in a style not to my tastes, I struggled to like the story. The prose felt flat and empty, too simple.
* Full disclosure: I have only watched the movie as an adult, so I have zero nostalgia or childhood memories influencing my opinion of it.
I was also disconcerted by the part that the females of the family play in the story — which is to say, practically none at all.
The mother and sisters were shown sunbathing in the yard, talking on the phone, modeling a prom dress, and reading a story aloud to the family, and "Grandmother Robinson was helping" the grandfather, whereas the father, grandfather, uncles, and male cousins were shown inventing things or using inventions, having or returning from adventures, pursuing scientific studies (however bizarre), and teaching frogs to play in a band. The only named female who had any active or original pursuit was Aunt Billie with her giant model trains. (In group settings on different pages, unnamed or unrecognizable women are shown holding a megaphone, a ukulele, and a gigantic croquet mallet, but I don't think that counts, since a far greater number of random guys are also running around in the background holding random things.)
To be fair, women show up on 11 of the 19 total spreads — but that's if you count the pages where you only see the mother's bare feet and ankles, or half of the grandmother's face, or one woman as a tiny face among seven guys during a pillow fight. The ratio of named men to named women is 17:5, and when the guys outnumber the girls more than three to one and have drastically more interesting occupations, then you have a book with a distinct lack of balance.
I'm an equalist, not a feminist, and I'm not accusing Mr. Joyce of downplaying women or intentionally stereotyping them, but I still found the disparity concerning, especially because I am one of the more STEM-minded females and I know that when I was a child the portrayals here would have frustrated me and would have perpetuated the idea that boys got to have all the fun.
In the Disney-created movie, however, the portrayals are much more balanced and nuanced, and there are female scientists and musicians as well as quirky girls and selfless, compassionate caregivers. On that note, and on every note, the movie surpasses the book tremendously, proving one of those rare exceptions where the film adaption is better than the original.
* Full disclosure: I have only watched the movie as an adult, so I have zero nostalgia or childhood memories influencing my opinion of it.
I was also disconcerted by the part that the females of the family play in the story — which is to say, practically none at all.
The mother and sisters were shown sunbathing in the yard, talking on the phone, modeling a prom dress, and reading a story aloud to the family, and "Grandmother Robinson was helping" the grandfather, whereas the father, grandfather, uncles, and male cousins were shown inventing things or using inventions, having or returning from adventures, pursuing scientific studies (however bizarre), and teaching frogs to play in a band. The only named female who had any active or original pursuit was Aunt Billie with her giant model trains. (In group settings on different pages, unnamed or unrecognizable women are shown holding a megaphone, a ukulele, and a gigantic croquet mallet, but I don't think that counts, since a far greater number of random guys are also running around in the background holding random things.)
To be fair, women show up on 11 of the 19 total spreads — but that's if you count the pages where you only see the mother's bare feet and ankles, or half of the grandmother's face, or one woman as a tiny face among seven guys during a pillow fight. The ratio of named men to named women is 17:5, and when the guys outnumber the girls more than three to one and have drastically more interesting occupations, then you have a book with a distinct lack of balance.
I'm an equalist, not a feminist, and I'm not accusing Mr. Joyce of downplaying women or intentionally stereotyping them, but I still found the disparity concerning, especially because I am one of the more STEM-minded females and I know that when I was a child the portrayals here would have frustrated me and would have perpetuated the idea that boys got to have all the fun.
In the Disney-created movie, however, the portrayals are much more balanced and nuanced, and there are female scientists and musicians as well as quirky girls and selfless, compassionate caregivers. On that note, and on every note, the movie surpasses the book tremendously, proving one of those rare exceptions where the film adaption is better than the original.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
The movie ‘Meet the Robinsons’ was based on this book, which I thought was the case. I do like that movie, but I don’t think it’s one of Disney’s best. The movie has a plot while the book really doesn’t. There is no antagonist. The only plot device is they are looking for grandpa Robinson’s false teeth and so we see all these wacky areas of the house.
I do love the imagination in this book and the feeling of future-any-things-possible vibes all over. Williams imagination abounds in the story and most of it ended up in the movie. They picked up the art style for the movie as well. I would love to see more movie adaptations of really good picture books out there.
My favorite part is they all sleep in the giant tree in the back yard. I love that. It’s a beginner book for all ages. The Robinsons live in a place where anything is possible. The future is bright.
The nephew loved the robots and monsters all around. The kids love that Disney movie too. That and Chicken Little believe it or not. He was excited to find all the wacky things around and all the aunts and uncles that are so wacky. He asked me why I couldn’t be more fun like this and shoot myself out of a cannon or train frogs to sing. I told him he has such a boring aunt. He agreed, but he liked the story and gave this 5 stars.
I do love the imagination in this book and the feeling of future-any-things-possible vibes all over. Williams imagination abounds in the story and most of it ended up in the movie. They picked up the art style for the movie as well. I would love to see more movie adaptations of really good picture books out there.
My favorite part is they all sleep in the giant tree in the back yard. I love that. It’s a beginner book for all ages. The Robinsons live in a place where anything is possible. The future is bright.
The nephew loved the robots and monsters all around. The kids love that Disney movie too. That and Chicken Little believe it or not. He was excited to find all the wacky things around and all the aunts and uncles that are so wacky. He asked me why I couldn’t be more fun like this and shoot myself out of a cannon or train frogs to sing. I told him he has such a boring aunt. He agreed, but he liked the story and gave this 5 stars.
funny_bunny_reads's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
quidmomma's review against another edition
3.0
Illustrations were amazing but not a big fan of the actual story. I hate to agree with the others who said it but the movie was better than the book.