Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite
Cyber Blues is a children's picture book written by C.D. Richardson, with illustrations by Christina Rudenko. It follows the adventures of the robots living on Motherboard Island. One day, a talented robot named Echo Zulu heads to the Cyber Cafe to try the rarely prepared liquid crystal chocolate tea. When he arrives, he orders the tea and joins in a game of dominoes with his friends, AROC and Aburakeiru. Echo Zulu is thrilled by the beautiful design on his tea when it arrives, so he shares a picture of it online for others to admire. Unfortunately, he receives mean comments from another robot about his post, which makes him feel bad and confused. However, AROC and Aburakeiru offer him comforting advice on how to handle mean comments and navigate the internet safely, brightening his day again.
Cyber Blues is the third book in the AROC Adventures series by C.D. Richardson. It is a thoughtful story that raises awareness about cyberbullying and internet safety. I love the concept of robots living on Motherboard Island because it is unique and a great source of puns. The combination of computer science with a meaningful message about kindness and empathy makes this book stand out. Through engaging characters and relatable scenarios, it encourages young readers to understand the impact of their online actions, recognize the warning signs of cyberbullying, and develop responsible digital habits. The book also teaches young readers about social media timeouts and the guidelines that govern app users. Vibrant illustrations bring the characters and their environment to life. The unique architecture and indoor decor add a futuristic touch to the art and perfectly align with the book's theme. Overall, Cyber Blues effectively combines entertainment with education, making it a valuable resource for parents and educators to promote safe and respectful online behavior among children.