The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld is a superb modern fairytale, full of twists, turns and mild peril. Both magically made out of wood, the robot and the princess serve as adopted children to the king and queen. When the log princess is accidently tossed out of the window one morning (having returned to log form when she sleeps) the little wooden robot sets off on a quest to get her back. Gauld's deadpan humour shines through, and his distinctive style makes for a witty and charming story of sibling love. * The Scotsman *
Tom Gauld's The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess (Templar Books, £12.99, 3+) uses a journey as a metaphor too. This original fairytale explores kinship between the most unlikely siblings. Although they were created by two different advisers to the Kingdom, the Wooden Robot and the Log Princess have more in common than their sylvan origins, and when the Log Princess is accidentally thrust out into the dangerous world, her brother embarks upon a journey to find her. When he does, she is happy to repay his loyalty by demonstrating her own. The narrative is full of surprises despite its traditional influences, but it is Gauld's detailed, textured illustrations that will draw a young reader's attention back to this wonderful book again and again. -- Sara Keating * The Irish Times *
One of the best picture books I've read this year. It's a cabinet of curiosities in a clockwork castle... it's a funny, twisty, heartfelt yarn. * The New York Times (Ben Hatke) *
THE LITTLE WOODEN ROBOT AND THE LOG PRINCESS by the cartoonist @tomgauld is a modern fairytale. It is a gorgeously illustrated picture book with a beautiful message about the special bond between siblings. I adored it. And so did Ernie! * David Walliams, Twitter *

What an astonishingly sweet book. I worried about the log princess, loved all the adventures we never saw, and cheered the family of beetles.

* Neil Gaiman *
A wooden masterpiece. * Lemony Snicket *
Tom Gauld has created a masterful classic fairytale of a picture book that hits in all the right ways. In his inimitable style, he has squeezed royalty, robots, witches, inventors, trolls, sea-captains, forests, ghosts, and... beetles (!) into a beautiful, odd, adventurous and satisfying story. All wrapped up, of course, with the bow of sibling love. * Oliver Jeffers *
There's a whole universe within these pages. Fun to read, clever, and kind. * Jillian Tamaki *
Tom Gauld is one of the best storytellers working and everything he does so well is here - it is beautiful, immersive, expertly told, and breathes completely on its own. I am jealous of it. * Jon Klassen *
I didn't know the world needed another fairy tale until I read this funny, beautiful, perfect book. * Carson Ellis *

A delightful and timeless fairytale that little readers will want to read on repeat - we adore this sweet book!

There once lived a king and queen who longed for a child. One night they visited the royal inventer and a clever old witch with their request, who both set to work to create a little wooden robot and a perfect little log princess! The family are happy until one day the log princess inadvertently goes missing and her brother sets out on an epic journey to find her. Many magical and mysterious adventures await as he endeavours to bring his sister safely home.

The two protagonists are kind, selfless, bold, clever and brave, and have the sweetest sibling relationship. And there are even some tiny heroes in the form of a family of beetles! Every character is adorable and little readers will fall in love with this delightful story, full of humour and heart.

The detailed textured illustrations have a timeless quality, perfectly fusing traditional and modern styles. We love the paneled layouts and there is so much detail to explore in every scene. Your little readers will want to return to each page again and again! Swipe through for a peek inside (the patterned endpapers are lovely too).

This charming and unforgettable tale is destined to become a firm family favourite!

* Little Library Owl, Instagram *

This modern fairytale written and illustrated by renowned cartoonist and illustrator Tom Gauld tells a charming story about the family bond between brother and sister. When the log princess goes missing, her wooden robot brother goes on an epic journey to bring her back. The combination of ancient and modern elements - our heroine and hero were created by a witch and an inventor - make this a fresh take on comfortingly traditional lines.

* Absolutely Education *

The Best Books of 2021: Baby & Toddler

With a cast including goblins, magic puddings and a mushroom queen, Gauld's adorable and exquisitely illustrated tale of a young robot's search for his sister combines gentle magical adventure with a whimsical tribute to sibling devotion.

* Waterstones *

A king and queen in a faraway land desperately long for a child, but have no success. Therefore, the queen consults a wise witch in the forest, and the king consults the royal inventor for a solution. The witch creates a little girl from a log of wood, and the inventor creates a little wooden robot: the king and queen are delighted.

Yet, one day, when the log princess is mistakenly thrown out of the palace, the wooden robot follows. He plans to rescue his sister who turns into a plain log of wood every night, and every morning must be reanimated with the phrase 'Awake, little log, awake!'. Suffering many difficulties, the log princess and the wooden robot are reunited, but need the help of the witch in the forest to return them to their parents.

This somewhat unusual comic-style picture book is a really lovely story about unconventional siblings that, despite their origins, have a strong and loving bond just like any others. Tom Gauld is a cartoonist for adults, and his clean, open style is perfectly suited for middle primary-aged readers who will appreciate the comic style and the sophistication and detail in the artwork.

* Book Trust *
This remixed fairy tale was an instant hit with our judges, who admired the way Gauld's comics-style illustrations are simultaneously flat-out simple (its main characters are, after all, stick figures) and complex (the royal inventor's chockablock workshop). Meticulous, diagrammatic and, yes, awfully cute, these boldly outlined, crosshatched images amplify the story's deadpan humor and are as delightful to behold as the story's happily-ever-after ending. * New York Times *
Newspaper cartoonist Gauld reworks fairytale tropes to create something both reverential and original. A robot prince sets off in search of his lost sister, who happens to turn into a log at night. The story is as daft and enchanting as the author's artwork is deft and symmetrical. * Financial Times *