Robot Responders

Reviews

"Filled with facts, clear explanations, eye catching illustrations and photographs, and real world examples, this amazing book is sure to inspire the next generation of innovators!"
@get.kids.booked (Instagram), 18 May 2026

"I think it’s a really timely book, well written and presented, and I think it’s a must-have for libraries and for any kid with an interest in this area. I’d say it's for readers 8+ but, for me, it's one of those books that I think teens and adults looking for an accessible explanations and information will find really useful."
Allison Tait, Your Kid's Next Read Podcast, Episode 241, April 2026

"Another great title from CSIRO Publishing that many young readers will find it absorbing and exciting... a fantastic addition to your non-fiction collection for kiddos from around Year 3 to lower secondary."
Sue Warren, Kids' Book Review, 29 June 2026

"The written text is highly accessible, supported by clear explanations, labelled diagrams, photographs, and engaging “Did you know?” factboxes. Profiles of dedicated scientists add a human dimension, while the glossary, index, and detailed contents page make the book especially useful for students and educators."
Kathryn Beilby, ReadPlus, 23 March 2026

"a fascinating book that shows just how much these inventions have infiltrated our lives, often without the lay person even knowing it. Written for independent readers who want more than byte-sized captions and drawings, the author does not lose sight of her audience writing in a conversational style and including a glossary that clearly explains some of the technical terms."
Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, 3 April 2026

"This awesome book is full of so much information, and super cool facts that kids are going to love... It's fun, educational and super interesting with eye catching illustrations, clear explanations for kids to understand, glossary and more!"
@itsalibrarianlife (Instagram), 19 April 2026

"This is a fascinating look at the ways in which rescue robots can help out saving lives, or exploring places too dangerous or difficult for humans to reach... Information is presented alongside lots of colour photos, making this very visually appealing. The ethical questions provide some great discussion points too."
@aussie_kids_books (Instagram), 12 June 2026

Features

• Discover robots that tackle fires and floods, can go into radiation zones or on deep-sea missions.
• Explore how nature inspires robot design and take a look at the future of robotics.
• Meet the scientists, researchers and rescue teams working with robots around the world.
• Packed with fascinating facts, clear explanations, and eye-catching illustrations to spark curiosity and inspire young readers.

Contents

Preface
What to expect from this book
1: A short history of robots
2: The digital revolution
3: Say hello to the robots …
4: Robots to the rescue: From dangerous to discovery
5: Dive into the world of roboticists
6: Humans and bots: Spot the differences
7: Biomimicry: Inspired by nature
8: Robots in different environments
9: The future from here
Glossary
About the author
Illustration credits
Index

Authors

Smriti Daniel isn't a roboticist, but she had a lot of fun interviewing several of them for this book. She’s a journalist, editor and presenter, and this is her second book for younger readers.

For Teachers

We have created these Teacher Notes as a free PDF download to support the use of this book in the classroom.

Teacher Notes (1.57 MB)