Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library.
Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library. Adalie and about 10 other children built their own Bristlebots and robot statues, as inspired by "The Wild Robot" book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Roll aside, R2-D2 and WALL-E, because there are new robots in town.

Ten local children recently assembled their own Bristlebots — tiny robots the size of toothbrush heads — at a March 27 event at the Golden Library. They then made their own robot statues out of cans, bolts, gears, magnets, tin foil, pipe cleaners, pom poms, googly eyes and more.

The “Create Your Own Roz” event at the Golden Library was inspired by “The Wild Robot” book series, the first installment of which was recently adapted into an award-winning film.

The young participants were encouraged to build their own versions of the titular robot, Rozzum 7134, also known as Roz. However, Kids & Families Librarian Dawn Lewallen ultimately wanted the participants “to be as creative as they want” in their concepts. 

At right, 5-year-old Orion has fun building his robot statue alongside his dad, Roy Katz, during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
At right, 5-year-old Orion has fun building his robot statue alongside his dad, Roy Katz, during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. About 10 children built their own robot statues from various materials, along with Bristlebots. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Josie Garner, 8, and several other participants said they’d read one or more of “The Wild Robot” books, seen the movie, or both. Josie’s dad, Patrick, said the family stops by the library weekly for books and usually participates in other events, like PAWS for Reading.

The “Create Your Own Roz” event was the perfect opportunity for not only Josie and her sister to meet up with their friends, but also for their dads to hang out too, Patrick explained.

Roy Katz said his 5-year-old Orion enjoys “The Wild Robot” books and library events, so the family thought it would be the perfect activity. Orion said he enjoyed building his Bristlebot and crafting his Roz-inspired statue.

Cousins Adalie Gonzalez Prehn and Emmett Smith, both 5, said they enjoy doing the library’s LEGO Build and Play events, and thought this would be a fun building-type activity as well. The magnets were particularly fun to play with, Emmett said.

Peej Kramer, 7, and Colette Garner, 6, sort through parts for their robot statue during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
Young patrons sort through parts for their robot statue during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. The event allowed young patrons to build their own Roz, the titular robot from “The Wild Robot” book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman

While other Jefferson County Public Library branches have done other “The Wild Robot”-inspired activities, Lewallen said this activity allowed the participants to create something in both the Bristlebots and their own Roz-inspired robot statues.

The “Build Your Own Roz” activity was part of the monthly Golden BEYOND Days program, which is an hour of activities and crafts for elementary-school-aged patrons. Lewallen said the library has a lot of activities for preschool-aged children and teens & tweens, but the Golden BEYOND Days program was designed for the age group in between.

The next Golden BEYOND Days event will be on April 10 to celebrate National Unicorn Day, with unicorn-themed activities and games.

Then, on May 15, the “Dragons Galore” activity will give young patrons a chance to make their own dragon eggs and dragon-eye magnets, to celebrate the “How to Train Your Dragon” book and movie series.

Over the summer, activities include paper circuitry, superheroes and art.Pre-registration is required for some of these events. For more information, visit jeffcolibrary.org/locations/gn.

Click through additional photos from the March 27 event:

  • Orion, 5, watches his newly constructed Bristlebot vibrate and move around the table during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
    Orion, 5, watches his newly constructed Bristlebot vibrate and move around the table during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. Along with robot statues, the participants put together small Bristlebots using googly eyes and other small parts. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Lennon, 3, works on a robot statue with her dad, Andrew Kramer, during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
    Lennon, 3, works on a robot statue with her dad, Andrew Kramer, during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. About 10 children made robot statues out of various materials, including aluminum cans, springs, pipe cleaners, pom poms and googly eyes. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • At center, 7-year-old Peej Kramer works on a robot statue while other children collect parts for theirs during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
    At center, 7-year-old Peej Kramer works on a robot statue while other children collect parts for theirs during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. The event allowed young patrons to build their own Roz, the titular robot from “The Wild Robot” book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Josie Garner, 8, watches her Bristlebot vibrate and move around the table during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
    Josie Garner, 8, watches her Bristlebot vibrate and move around the table during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. Along with robot statues, the participants put together small Bristlebots using googly eyes and other small parts. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Colette Garner, 6, configures craft pipe-cleaners into parts for a robot statue during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
    Colette Garner, 6, configures craft pipe-cleaners into parts for a robot statue during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. The event allowed young patrons to build their own Roz, the titular robot from “The Wild Robot” book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Young Golden Library patrons sort through various materials to build their robot statues during a March 27 children's event
    Young Golden Library patrons sort through various materials to build their robot statues during a March 27 children’s event. The event allowed young patrons to build their own Roz, the titular robot from “The Wild Robot” book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Josie, 8, and her dad, Patrick Garner, build a robot statue during a March 27 children's event at the Golden Library
    Josie, 8, and her dad, Patrick Garner, build a robot statue during a March 27 children’s event at the Golden Library. About 10 children made robot statues out of various materials, including aluminum cans, springs, pipe cleaners, pom poms and googly eyes. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library.
    Adalie Gonzalet Prehn, 5, smiles with her completed robot statue and her new Bristlebot, which is on top of the statue, during a March 27 event at the Golden Library. Adalie and about 10 other children built their own Bristlebots and robot statues, as inspired by “The Wild Robot” book and movie series. Credit: Corinne Westeman

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