School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Wendel the mouse is so busy inventing that he doesn't always clean up after himself. His logical solution is to invent a tidying robot he names Clunk. Unfortunately, Wendel's inventions don't always work as well as they should, as readers see from Clunk's well-intended attempt at storing the teacups in the sock drawer. Clunk is sent to the scrap heap as Wendel invents the second iteration: Wendelbot. The problem is that Wendelbot is so filled with a red-eyed, single-minded tidying purpose that Wendel finds himself added to the scrap heap right next to Clunk. Now, Wendelbot seems poised for world domination! Wendel must figure out a way to stop him. Maybe Clunk and all of the discarded pieces and parts in the scrap heap aren't so useless after all. In this charming rerelease of 2010's Wendel's Workshop, UK Children's Laureate Riddell reminds readers that they shouldn't be so quick to discard that which is flawed. VERDICT The appealing illustrations and cute story line make for a pleasant diversion for independent readers and a strong selection for classroom read-alouds.-Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.