Roaring Brook Press / Macmillan
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Grace can’t have a real dog,
so she takes matters
into her own hands.
She builds a robot dog
named KIT!
Grace codes him to behave
like the perfect dog.
Kit follows her instructions
perfectly.
He rolls over perfectly,
every time.
He plays fetch perfectly,
every single time.
But Grace soon discovers
that maybe following the rules
perfectly doesn’t make
the perfect pet . . .
Available from:
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Reviews
“Like live dogs, cybernetic ones turn out to need a lot of work—as Grace discovers when the pooch her parents finally let her get comes as a box of mechanical and electronic parts. Putting them together is only the first step. … Grace soon finds that the pup, aptly named Kit, mechanically obeys a few simple commands…so [she] determinedly sets out to expand the dog’s default programming… Grace’s general hands-on approach makes a good model for owners of nonrobotic dogs, too. Brimming with oodles of doggy affection, as well as useful pointers for young programmers.” Kirkus
“Grace has wanted a dog for 3,124 days. When she sends for a robot-dog-making kit, she discovers the project has just about that many parts and pages of instruction. Undaunted, Grace struggles on, despite setbacks and doubts from her friend Danny. The project involves coding and sophisticated electronics, but eventually Grace creates a perfect dog: Kit. Grace soon realizes Kit is too perfect, performing commands with tiresome precision. A trip to the dog park shows what’s missing: play and unpredictability. Grace gets back to work… Grace’s solution-oriented attitude, determination, and grit will inspire other coders and dreamers, and the happy ending will please dog-lovers.” Booklist
“What an awesome idea (and excellent premise for a book) – a robot dog! Only problem was, the build-it-yourself kit seemed to contain “a part for every day she had wanted a dog.” … Despite some lost gears, a bent tail, and months of work, Grace finally finished the robot dog. Tracy Subisak’s digitally colored pencil illustrations are so endearing and full of wonderful treasures. I adore Grace’s overalls with the tools packed into her pocket. … I love the persistent, can-do, inventive, and scientific attitudes of Grace and Danny as they each come up with perfect solutions to fix Kit. …back matter offers insight into the universality of errors in coding and provides a step-by-step guide for starting [any] project and testing the results – including even a picture book. This is a wonderful picture book on coding which also offers a little insight into relationships and friendships with dogs, too.” Maria Marshall, Perfect Picture Book Friday
Featured
Author and illustrator interview hosted by Maria Marshall, March 2025
Accolades
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Resources
Robot dog design activity – three pages
Robot dog coding activity – four pages
Random number activity – one page
Grace and Kit coloring activity – one page