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Roberto: The Insect Architect
Nina Laden
Picture Book
Ages 6 and up
Chronicle, 2000, 0-8118-2465-9
Roberto is not your average termite. When he was little he played with his dinner of wood instead of eating it. And why did the little fellow do this? Because he had a dream – to become an architect.
The other termites laughed at Roberto. Who ever heard of a termite wanting to be an architect; their job was eat buildings not to make them. Indeed, it soon became clear that Roberto needed to build a new life for himself elsewhere; somewhere where he would not be scoffed at for wanting to do more with his life than eat wood.
And so Roberto went to the big city where he would be able, he hoped, to fulfill his dearest wish. It was not easy living in such a place for no one wanted to employ a termite who had no prior experience in the field.
And then, when he was feeling very down indeed, something happened which gave Roberto a new perspective and a terrific idea. He didn’t need all those stuck up bugs to give him a job. Instead he would create a niche for himself and start from scratch.
Every so often one comes across a picture book which can be enjoyed not only by children but by adults as well. The story is one which children will love because they get to see the underdog have his dreams come true. In addition the clever word play and tongue-in-cheek bug jokes will give grownups something to chuckle over. And then there is the collage artwork which, like Roberto’s creations, is creative, unexpected, and pleasing to the eye.
This is a picture book which not only entertains and amuses, but it also has an important message to share with children (and adults): pursue your dreams no matter what, even if everyone else thinks what you are doing is crazy.
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