A heart-warming picture book about a lost, broken robot searching for their place in life, their family and their forever home by award-winning author and illustrator Joe Todd-Stanton.

"

Deep in the heart of a rubbish dump, a little broken robot woke up . . .

Mio can't remember where they came from or how long it's been, but they know they're not meant to be there. They go in search of their memories and the home they once knew, only to discover that everything has changed.

A stunning picture book with a beautiful message about loving yourself and knowing there is always a place where you belong.

"

Details

ISBN13: 9781838740726
Format: Hardback
Number of Pages: 40
Edition:
Publication Date: 17 Mar 2026
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 27.8(H)x23.9(L)x1.1(W)471
Weight (gm): 471

Author Biography

Joe Todd-Stanton is from Brighton and grew up drawing with his mum. He studied Illustration at the University of the West of England, afterwards moving to London where he currently lives. His debut The Secret of Black Rock, won the 2018 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize Illustrated category and The Comet won the Yoto Carnegie Shadowers Choice Award 2023. He has written and illustrated many books for Flying Eye Books, as well as illustrating books for other authors.

Reviews

A BARNES & NOBLE 'BEST KID'S BOOK OF MARCH 2026'

"A joyful remedy for our times – an uplifting eco-fable of repair, renewal, and second chances."
— Mikey Please, The Café at the Edge of the Woods

"Todd-Stanton tells a devastatingly beautiful story of abandonment and belonging, while also offering a gentle commentary on consumerism and planned obsolescence. [...] This is a masterful blend of storytelling and illustration that will definitely tug at the heartstrings."
— STARRED, Booklist Review

"A broken robot goes in search of its forgotten home in this thoughtful picture book about how nothing—and no one—is ever truly broken. In a futuristic world marred by the consequences of overconsumption, a decrepit robot wakes in a rubbish dump; it searches for the boy it was gifted to, only to find it has been replaced by a newer model. A mother and daughter rescue and repair the robot, giving it a true home—one where love endures."
— STARRED, Foreword Reviews

"From the author of The Comet comes a poignant and visually striking story about belonging, loss, and renewal. [...] Todd-Stanton’s illustrations are small works of art, rich with intricate detail and emotional depth. [...] A visually stunning and deeply moving picture book that will resonate with young readers and is sure to be a popular choice, offering a powerful reminder that what is discarded still has value—and that everyone has a place where they belong"
— STARRED, SLJ Review

"Themes of consumerism, obsolescence, and redemption are grounded in genuine emotion throughout this cinematically rendered picture book about finding one’s people and one’s place in the world"
— Publisher's Weekly

"The skillful use of color early in the book, a palette of mostly grays and browns, sets up a celebratory explosion later, when Mio is not only repaired but also painted with a rich variety of colors [...] little ones will undoubtedly cheer Mio’s eventual restoration and renewed sense of purpose and belonging."
— Bulletin Center for Children's Books