Dot Unplugged, by Randi Zuckerberg/Illustrated by The Jim Henson Company, (Feb. 2020, Candlewick Press), $22.99, ISBN: 9781536209839
Ages 4-7
Wow, do we need this book now. Dot and her family are addicted to their screens, to the point where Scratch, the family dog, is feeling pretty neglected. A power outage reminds Mom that it’s the National day of Unplugging, so the family has to get creative in finding ways to have fun sans electricity. And boy, do they! They search their basement and find a spin game that encourages them to do something fun with each spin of the wheel: sing a song, craft something, the possibilities are pretty endless.
The National Day of Unplugging was March 6th, but Dot Unplugged is pretty relevant these days, too. Many of us are at home with our kids, and we’re going to need a break from screens. Dot Unplugged is a great way to show kids the fun and importance of family time, and how creative thinking makes things even better. Play a tabletop game; bust out some Lincoln Logs and some Legos; make up a game to play together. Family time is a great time to connect, laugh, and enjoy each other.
The digital, cartoony illustrations are fun, bright, and bold, really attracting the reader’s eye. There’s a list of 50 unplugged activities at the end of the book to give you a jumping off point. This one’s a fun add and a helpful one.
Mom Read It 