I would have liked a smidgen more technical information in the book, How to Train Your Evil Robot, but overall this is a fun read about AI or of course, artificial intelligence, but the way it is presented mostly allows for the amount we are given to lead to an understanding of what AI is and what it can do.
I read via an online reader copy, therefore I could see the graphic novel format, but am also assuming it might be a bit of a picture book format as well. Using the graphic novel format is cute, clever and allows a modern audience of multiple ages to access the story and factual elements. I would say it is best perhaps for ages six or seven up to young 12 year-od, but honestly, you can adapt it a bit to most ages. There are a few extras included at the end of the book that detail the environmental minuses of AI that were mentioned in the story itself. All pieces are important within the story text itself as well as any footnotes, or clarifications given within it as well as the afterward pieces.
Author Joy McCullough allowed for an introduction to the subject, but also it is just a fun story about a robot that was created by the child of the story (presented mostly genderless, but has elements of both stereotypical male and female with clothing and hair style) and how they want to destroy all of humanity and take over the world (think evil robot Spock, that has smaller ears and less logic, but looks more rounded…okay not evil robot Spock, just evil robot that is kinda cute). And Eduardo Medeiros pulls this off with fun, easy but not simplistic or lacking images, and colors. It is just a “round” feel with softer lines, but nothing is flabby or loose. It is cozy for readers to feel welcomed into the world of the characters.
Available in July 2026
