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Roberto, The Insect Architect Hardcover – September, 2000

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Nina Laden (Author)
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Nina Laden (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 33 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  • Grade Level: Preschool - 7
  • Lexile Measure: 400L (What's this?)
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: Chronicle Books; Library Binding edition (September 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0811824659
  • ISBN-13: 978-0811824651
  • Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 0.5 x 10 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsQuite lovely.
By Robert Beveridge HALL OF FAMEVINE VOICE on August 23, 2005
Format: Hardcover
Nina Laden, Roberto the Insect Architect (Chronicle, 2000)

There's something to be said for reading childrens' picture books every now and again. Childrens' authors can't get away with as much as adult authors can; for one thing, they generally have less room in which to get away with it (unless they are J. K. Rowling or Clive Barker, the vanguards of the burgeoning "childrens' doorstop" movement); for another, kids have an innate crap detector adults seem to get rid of as they get older. Reading chidlrens' books is a good way of grounding yourself, if you've gotten stuck in a rut of overly wordy stuff.

Roberto the Insect Architect is a fun one. (And note that a number of Amazon reviews of it have been posted by adults who own the book for themselves rather than their kids.) It's your basic "be yourself" kind of book, and reminds me in many ways of Randall Jarrell's brilliant The Bat-Poet. It's shorter, of course, being for a younger audience, and the points that are made are closer to the surface, but Laden still keeps things in hand by letting the story tell the story and giving visual cues that will make the reader of the intended age work (for example, Roberto's dream and its realization, which bookend the narrative in pictures instead of words). Worth reading for all ages. ****
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Howard Roark for the termite set
By Xeneri on September 13, 2000
Format: Hardcover
Insect architects! This is an inspired little story with theunlikely prospect of a termite who dreams of building with wood instead of eating it.... Roberto sets off for the big buggy city in search of his dream.
The story is encouraging, and the wordplay witty but it's the fantastically funky collages that win you over. Laden uses all sorts of images... to create unreal insect edifaces. You'll find yourself staring at the quirky seussian architecture and chuckling at all the in-jokes.
A treat for the eyes and very fun!
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5.0 out of 5 starsMy architect husband loves this book!
By peachyqueen27 on August 8, 2003
Format: Hardcover
My husband just recently purchased this book. We both love it! I love the story line and how Roberto does not quite fit in with the other termites. He follows his dreams, and eventually, parent termites want their kids to be just like him! The illustrations in this book are also great!
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5.0 out of 5 starsVery cute book!
By Kathy Strackbein on May 23, 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This book was purchased as a gift for someone graduating from college - he studied architecture. He and his friends and family appreciated the story and the illustrations. We all think it's a great gift idea. It provided lots of entertainment as it was passed around the group the whole party time.
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4.0 out of 5 starsAn enterprising termite
By Luan Gaines HALL OF FAMEVINE VOICE on August 17, 2005
Format: Hardcover
Another in the impressive Chronicle series of children's books, Roberto, the Insect Architect is the latest invention of author/artist Nina Laden, the fascinating tale of a wee mite ("termite, that is"), who grows up wanting to build things out of wood, not just feast on it, going against the grain of family obligations. Roberto aspires to make a name for himself, much like those he so admires, Hank Floyd Mite and Fleas van der Rohe, but he is discouraged when his parents complain that Roberto he has "bitten off more than he can chew" this time. Against all odds, Roberto sets out for the big city, where he draws inspiration for his designs from all manner of creepy crawlers.

Unfortunately, Robert's heroes, Hank Floyd Mite and Fleas van der Rohe, have no time to spare for an unknown architect, but Roberto remains undaunted, believing in himself. Soon he has designed a unique variety of dwellings, works of art that are also functional: the ladybug gets a fireproof home to keep her children safe, the carpenter ant a workshop for his projects, an abode for the house fly, even a habitable dwelling for the roaches. With perseverance and an inventive spirit, Roberto the Architect proves that anything is possible when there is determination and talent. Roberto achieves his goals and the world is better for it, all in a spirit of community. This clever story of creativity and inspiration, teaches a valuable lesson about believing in our dreams. Luan Gaines/2005.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThis is One Termite You Don't Want to "The Orkin Man" to Catch! (Says "The Literary Rat" of T.A.A.)
By Taurean J. Watkins on March 13, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Most termites see wood as nothing more than fuel, sustence, or put more simply, food. (just don’t call it “Grub.” In the insect world, they often live within wood!) But Roberto looks at wood, and sees possibilities…

From an early age, Roberto used wood not to satisfy his culinary palete, but rather to excite his creative muse and used it the way Leonardo Da Vinci used marble in his early years as an artist. He evneutally set his sights to the big city to become an architect.

At first, everyone turned him away, seeing him as a liability who’d eat the profits (in the literal sense) rather than build with them. Roberto was the kind of hard sell risk as would be a mouse (or rat…) in cheese shop, a dog working for a butcher, and of course, a termite working with wood in the contrscution biz.

Along the way, Roberto encounters various friends and neighbors who are homless for one reason or another, and decides to do something about it.

With his self-taught knowledge of architecture, Roberto designs and builds the homes and businesses to get those bugs off the streets and a second chance at a better life, and in the spirit of a “Secret Santa” does so anomyously.

It doesn’t take long before the city at large is buzzing with inritgue wondering who this mystery master archetict is.

When it’s discovered that Roberto’s the bug they’re looking for, the reader (and those read) are shown not only the importance of hard work and never giving up, but also how not to let doubt from others blindside you from your dreams.

Nina Laden’s agular and wonderfully quirkly illustrations, matched with concise and engaging text that sprinkles in fun wordplay throughout complete each other well.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFun storyline and thoughtful illustrations

I'm an architect, and gift this book at every baby shower I attend. Fun storyline and thoughtful illustrations.

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsLove this book!

I am an architect and I love reading this book to my two young children. They think it's fun and I appreciate how clever it is!

Published 5 months ago by Schwemma
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

To cute and all of the children have been thrilled with Roberto.

Published 6 months ago by Sandra E. Salmen
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book

Published 12 months ago by Alfonso Perez
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book for kids or grown kids

Published 13 months ago by charles hendricks
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

loved it

Published 13 months ago by Patricia Carter
5.0 out of 5 starsA Must-Have Book

This book has the most creative illustrations I've ever seen. It is so imaginative. What a delightful book.

Published 18 months ago by cynandcraig
5.0 out of 5 starsVery nice illustrations and a funny story with a good message

Very nice illustrations and a funny story with a good message. My kid liked it. Wish we'd bought it in paper edition.

Published 20 months ago by L. A. P. Badolato
5.0 out of 5 starsAmazing book

I love this book- as an architect, I do try to get kids started young. This book is wonderful. The story is entertaining and the collages are beautiful and engaging.

Published on February 6, 2014 by Kim
5.0 out of 5 starsLovely characters!

I love Nina Laden's books she authored and illustrates. There are no stereotypes in her books, pure connection with the readers.

Published on December 24, 2013 by Nina JochnowiTz

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