Fun Reads Friday: The RoboTales Series

Tinker’s greatest dream is to study at the Invention Institute.  Mardok’s mission in life is to protect the helpless. Both will be tested before they can achieve their goals.

The RoboTales books from Jill Williamson and her son, Luke Williamson, are adventurous science fictional retellings of fairy tales.

Tinker (A Cinderella retelling):

Tinker works in his Uncle’s fix-it shop. The shop used to belong to Tinker’s father, but when his father died, Uncle Noctis and his two devious sons moved in, shoving Tinker aside and making him do pretty much all the work. When the chance comes to enter a Recycle Race where kids build and race a transport vehicle with recycled parts, Tinker knows he must enter. And with the prize being a full scholarship to the Invention Institute, winning is a must if he’s to escape his horrible situation. Along the way, he is knocked down and pushed aside, but his hope never wavers. Will his perseverance, and his trusty Robo dog, see him to the winner’s circle?

Mardok and the Seven Exiles (A Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs retelling):

Atorian cadet Mardok is stronger and faster than anyone else at the Space Force Military Training Academy. His personal oath is to protect the helpless. And he will do that all on his own, thank you very much. No team required. When he discovers that someone is creating cyborg animals, he reports his findings to the general. As a reward for his observations, Mardok is sent on a secret, special mission: to defeat the Snow Beast. Along the way he meets a faithful Robo dog and seven other cadets that were also sent on this secret mission. Together they will discover the truth that will change everything.

These books are the first two in the RoboTales series. I’m not sure when the third will be coming out, but these will get you started. They are short and fun, but they have a lot of heart. They also have some fantastic fan art sprinkled throughout. I immediately connected with these two main characters and felt for them in their different situations. The worlds are interesting and you just know there are some crazy things going on in the Upeero System with its eight unique planets. You can’t go wrong with a Jill Williamson book! These stories are appropriate for ages 7-13.