Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny by Jon Kaczka is about the adventures of little Mari-chan and her stuffed bunny named Roboto Bunny. One day, Mari-chan's dad goes missing after an avalanche occurred as he was rock climbing in Antarctica. This news was devastating to the six-year-old Mari-chan and her mother, who could only wait for further news about his rescue. However, little did Mari-chan know, her best friend, the Roboto Bunny, could talk, walk, and even use magic! He revealed to Mari-chan that she can save her dad. However, to reach her dad, they would need to go through a small tunnel that leads to the underworld, a place filled with magic, but that would mean Mari-chan would need to be as small as Roboto bunny. The bunny easily solved this as he used magic to turn Mari-chan into a baby. But this was a big problem for Mari-chan; she could barely do anything as a six-year-old girl. Could she save her dad as a baby?

Jon Kaczka's Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny is unique, moderately paced, and well-written. The book features charming and vibrant illustrations of every character and creature at the beginning of each chapter. These visuals added to my enjoyment of the story and made it easier to imagine the magical world that Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny were exploring. I also enjoyed the different situations Mari-chan went through from her encounter with each creature or character in the underworld. Each experience taught her a valuable lesson, which makes it perfect for children to learn from as well. The best lesson she learned was that no matter how small or young she was, she could still make a big difference. I loved the bravery that she showed throughout her adventure. I also admired the comfort and support that Roboto Bunny gave her, which showed what true friendship is like. This story beautifully illustrates both familial love and friendship. Great work!

Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny by Jon Kaczka is a fun kids’ adventure story. Six-year-old Mari-chan loves playing with Roboto bunny, a stuffed toy with magical abilities, but her whole world changes when her dad disappears while mountain climbing in Antarctica. But Roboto shows her a secret tunnel in her closet, a tunnel that leads her straight to her dad. The problem is, Mari-chan is too big to fit in the tunnel, so Roboto has to turn her into a baby. Their journey won’t be an easy one, though, and they face challenges and tests along the way. Is baby Mari-chan brave enough to face them, and can she and Roboto rescue her dad?

Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny by Jon Kaczka is one of the most imaginative kids’ stories I’ve ever read, and it’s a lot of fun. At its heart, it’s a fantastical story about a magical stuffed toy and a little girl, but it also teaches readers some important lessons about courage and being kind to others. It teaches that being brave doesn’t have to be hard and that working together can help you overcome what seem like the toughest of problems. This is the kind of book that encourages imagination in children, and it helps them bring out their more creative side. The plot is adventurous, as are the many challenges Mari-chan and Roboto face along the way, and it’s clear a great deal of thought has gone into writing this story. An enjoyable tale that kids will love reading and maybe even acting out with their own favorite toy.