Review by Booklist Review
It's a rainy day, and pup Scratch wants to play, but everyone's too busy: kids Dot and Hal are playing video games, Dad's on the computer, and Mom's working on a circuit board--until the power goes out. Luckily, it's National Day of Unplugging, an opportunity to engage in "nothing that runs on anything but our good old imaginations," which they all decide to try. But the group's in the dark, in more ways than one, including figuring out how they'll fill the time without electronic options. And though it's initially difficult to find anything non-electronic to do, a flashlight exploration in the basement reveals some intriguing options, especially a board game, which proves inspirational and fun for all. Based on the picture-book character Dot, originally created by Randi Zuckerberg, this promotes the potential rewards of doing some "unplugging" from tech-based endeavors and devices, in a peppy, light fashion, which is helped along by the colorful, cartoony, digitally rendered illustrations. Appended are 50 suggestions for unplugged activities, such as making art or exploring nature.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Dot and her family are digitally distracted and won't play with their dog, Scratch. Scratch is in luck: it's a stormy night and the power goes out. Without electricity to power their electronics, the family honors National Unplugged Day. They venture into the basement with flashlights to explore the dusty shelves. Scratch helpfully finds a spinner and the family uses their imagination to create a game. Having so much fun together, they do not want to stop for dinner. Brightly-colored digital illustrations of cartoonlike characters project an every-family appeal. The prose is mostly conversational and lesson-focused. The end pages contain more information about National Unplugged Day and suggestions for activities. Dot is also the star of an animated television series, where she uses technology in her adventures. VERDICT Zuckerberg sends an undisguised message to technology-mesmerized families: Put down the electronics occasionally, and take time to connect with others.--Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Deny devices, turn off, tune out. That's the unsubtle message in this picture book.It's raining. Indoors, Dot and her bestie, Hal, are playing a video game. Dad's at his computer; Mom's at her circuit board. Suddenly, the power goes out. Mom remembers it's the National Day of Unplugging, announcing this means using "Nothing that runs on anything but our good old imaginations." When the family descends to the basement searching for something to do, Scratch the dog finds a spinner game. Each of its five segments bears a simple image representing a task a player must perform when the arrow they spin lands on it. Creative play ensues, and Dot concludes that "Unplugging is fun!" The story will work equally well as a lapsit or a read-aloud to a group. It's OK the exhortation's obvious; kids will get that there's life beyond the plugged-in kind. The colorful, cartoon illustrations are flat, but faces are expressive (even the dog's). Dot, with strangely slate-gray hair, is garbed in yellow boots and a pink, polka-dot dress. She and her mom have pale pink skin; Dad's skin is light tan; Hal is brown-skinned. The final page informs readers that the National Day of Unplugging is the second Friday in March and lists 50 "unplugged" activities. Readers/listeners should be encouraged to suggest and engage in other device-free pursuits.Yank those plugs, everyone. Connect with family and friends instead. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
