Using their collective problem-solving talents and creativity to build cool inventions, rock band members Layla and the Bots help transform a run-down amusement park into a theme park for dogs that features such attractions as the Rub-a-Dub Mud Slide and the Tummy Rubbing Machine. Simultaneous and eBook. Illustrations. - (Baker & Taylor)

Meet rock star Layla and her team of Bots!

Vicky Fang is a product designer who spent five years designing kids' technology experiences for both Google and Intel, often to inspire and empower kids in coding and technology. She started writing to support the growing need for early coding education, particularly for girls and kids of color. She is the author, and sometimes illustrator, of nineteen new and upcoming books for kids, including the Layla and the Bots series, Invent-a-Pet, I Can Code Board Books, Friendbots, and the forthcoming Ava Lin series, Best Buddies series, AlphaBot, and The Boo Crew Needs You! You can visit Vicky at vickyfang.com.
Christine Nishiyama is an illustrator and the founder of Might Could Studios. She self-published a picture book called We Are Fungi. You can visit Christine at mightcouldstudios.com. - (Scholastic)

Kirkus Reviews

Meet Layla and her Bots—Beep, Bop, and Boop—stars of this new, STEM-centric series. Beep is the knowledge manager, Boop is the engineer, and Bop is the software developer. The quad resides happily in Blossom Valley, working tech by day and then moonlighting as rock stars performing in "all sorts of cool places." A gig at the Happy Days Amusement Park presents their first challenge, when Layla and her mechanical friends learn that the park may have to close down due to low patronage. Naturally, Layla and the Bots decide to investigate. Layla discovers that her Blossom Valley neighbors all appear to be hanging out with their dogs at the local dog park. The team utilizes the skills of the bots to research the number of families in Blossom Valley and brainstorm reasons why they may all be going to the dog park. After talking to the owner of Happy Days, Layla concludes that to bring back the park's customers, it needs to become a place where people and dogs can have fun together. This easy-to-predict story, told in a mix of text and speech balloons, will give new readers confidence while imparting solid STEM lessons of research and implementation, and it's great to see a young girl of color portrayed as a confident inventor (and rock star). A solid introduction for an appealing new chapter-book character. (Graphic science fiction. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus 2020 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–3—Inventor and rock star Layla and her three robot friends are excited about their upcoming performance at their local amusement park. A wrench is thrown into their plans when they learn that the park is going to be closed for good! Rather than dwell in disappointment, Layla and the bots launch into problem-solving mode. They engage in an inquiry-based process to determine why people are no longer coming to the park. Then, Layla and the bots collaborate to design new park features to meet the needs of customers. This transitional chapter book is ideal for emergent or early fluency readers. It includes charming illustrations to assist with decoding, and interesting STEM themes. VERDICT Though not essential, this bright, inventive title would make a nice addition to a library's early chapter book collection.—Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY