A Robot Ate My Homework

an AI takeover of Library Stax, then your workplace, then...THE WORLD

Hello, beautiful friends! Another week, another Robot takeover. If you are here for some fun library picks only, SCROLL to the very bottom and scroll there quickly! Otherwise, enjoy the ride.

The impetus for this post comes from a few different directions: the Olympics, my kid starting kindergarten, a NYT opinion piece, a conversation with a friend, but also, I think the topic is inevitable. Because we are living it. We are in a sort of wild west of technological innovation that has me wondering: when aren’t we thinking of robots taking over our world?

The Olympics had their big closing ceremonies on August 11th, and one of the things that I couldn’t help but notice during my Olympic marathon watching, aside from the athletes’ incredible prowess, were the many many many commercials for AI. As the internet will tell you, I wasn’t the only one feeling an AI overload. Did you hear about the Google ad pulled from the airwaves after only one week because of all the internet buzz and backlash?

As a writer, parent, and educator creating content centered on early childhood literacy, you think I would have had my angry bear face on about Google’s “Dear Sydney” ad much like Shelly Parmer did, but I didn’t. I completely missed the double whammy AI threat. Not only does it encourage parents to do their kids work for them (problem 1), but it then suggests that the parents pass that buck one step further (problem 2), handing that assignment to the Robot. I am retroactively disturbed when I stop to consider the ramifications this messaging has for our children, many who struggle to write a cohesive essay. The latest NAEP report card suggests only about 1 in 4 highschoolers is testing at proficient levels. (This sentence led me down a different research rabbit hole where I learned that there hasn’t been a national writing assessment report since 2011 (!!) which is so long ago. Wild. Read this article to find out why.)

And it isn’t just the Google’s AI ad trying to sell the idea of avoiding hard things. Remember the one with guy at the office who clearly didn’t prepare for his presentation, thus begging the question if he should even keep his job, so he asks AI to create the slideshow for him? That one really pissed me off. Just. Do. Your. Work. The message was clear: AI is coming at us from every angle.

But, am I strictly anti AI? I don’t think so. This is a sidestep, but stick with me: I am a hobbyist quilter (Ok, more like a side-leap, but hang on and I’ll bring you back, promise.) For the first few quilts I made I did not have a specific tool called a walking foot, a handy little thing that has moving teeth to help push your fabric sandwhich through the machine. I didn’t think it was truly necessary because I COULD get by without it. When I finally bought myself the $25 walking foot attachment, many wonky quilts and seam ripper assisted fits later, I was humbled. My quilt sandwiches practically floated through, no frustrated tears required. Just because you CAN do something the hard way doesn’t mean you NEED to do it that hard way. I think that I think (yes, I am that hesistent) that AI is a tool that could be wielded to help make hard things easier. But it’s all a little murky about what kind of things the Robot should be applied to and how.

And then there is this recent NYT opinion series where writer Curtis Sittenfeld has agreed to a friendly competition with ChatGPT to see which would write the better story. The article doesn’t reveal which story is the Robot and which is the writer until the very end. I read the article quickly while my life (read: wild children) went on in the background but that is no excuse, and I am ashamed to admit this, I guessed wrong. Wait whhhhaat??? Why was I fooled? Further humiliation was heaped upon me when I sought out the comments hoping for others who were also fooled by the Robot, and apparently everyone else was not confused at all. They were openly lambasting the Robot for its banal prose. Who even am I? What do I know about critical reading (and writing)? What was my English degree even for?

AI is growing. It is everywhere. If I don’t let the Robot learn from my substack (there is a toggle for this, automatically set to on, somewhere in settings) it will learn from someone, somewhere. It isn’t just in commercials, or playing games in the newspaper, it is in the imminent future. When my kid started kindergarten it was an undeniable step toward the future, however many Robots it may hold. Our district is 1 to 1, meaning every child is provided with a device for learning use. Yes, even the kindergartners all have their own tablets. Sure, sure, you can’t give my kid a free school lunch, but you can give them a free screen. I digress.

Trying to figure out what goes on at school feels like I am a citizen detective in a campy murder mystery novel failing to solve the big whodunnit. He will say he gets to use his tablet, but the details are fuzzy. How frequently? (it is only week 3 of school y’all) For how long? (30 minutes? 5 minutes? 4 hours?) To do what? (“anything I want!” cue the horror music). We aren’t an anti-technology family, but we do limit screen time, we don’t have a TV, we do go camping a lot. This can of worms with just the tiniest bit of lid peeled back has some seriously unnerving potential. I recognize that technology is a huge part of how we all exist on this planet. We have computers in our pockets and every answer at our fingertips. I do not hate technology, I sometimes love technology, but I do also kind of fear it.

When I was little, my Great-Grandpa Wilbert used to ride around in my grandmother’s Chrysler New Yorker which had plush seats, a boxy exterior, and the soothing robotic voice of it’s Electronic Voice Alert (EVA) system. When Wilbert (b. 1905) would get in the car, he compulsively left his door just slightly cracked so he could hear that stilted robot woman tell him that “your door is ajar.” It became a family joke: “A door isn’t a jar! A jar is a jar! A door is a door!” You can imagine. We all loved riding in the robot car with the original automobile Siri. But nobody got as much joy as Great-Grandpa Wilbert, who was born before cars were a part of every day life for the average American. He saw, lived through, and became a transportation guy during the age of the automobile. Ninty years later he was riding in style while his car reminded him to close its door. He left that door open because he was tickled by how far it all had come from those dusty horse and buggy days of his South Dakotan childhood.

With every new technology there is an outcry of fear. This will be the thing that will ruin us all! I am one of the fearful ones, shaking my fist at AI, before I even try it. I am constantly encouraging my children to step boldly into their fears whether they are of foods, bathrooms, people they haven’t met yet, different cultures, the dark, all of life. And yet, when faced with someone I don’t immediatly like, I am going to throw the Robot to the wolves without even looking its way. I have friends who work in tech and creative jobs who love the Robot. My husband says he uses it as a tool for his lesson planning. What if this is me, stubbornly jamming and snagging my quilt again and again through an ill-equipped machine? What if the Robot only wants to be my friend? I honestly hope that I can roll with it in the same way Great-Grandpa Wilburt did, with a bit of mischief and a lot of wonder about how far we have come.

But don’t worry, even if I become BFF’s with the Robot, I promise that aside from this post, which is an experiment forced by inundation, all my Library Stax posts will be full of completely original content featuring book recommendations and reviews created by completely original me. Except for right now. Right now, I step aside in the great name of science and hand the pen (keyboard? backend code?) to the Robot.

The prompt I fed ChatGPT’s 40 mini (aka the Robot) was:

“Write a blog post about raising kids in the time of technology with a focus on children’s literature appropriate for kids around the age of 5 including recommendations and reviews for five age-appropriate books about technology”

For the record, the only post creation edit I made was to ask the Robot to include images for the books. I could have tweaked the resulting essay in any number of ways, that is the power of the Robot. But I didn’t. When I asked for images, the Robot dropped in some links that don’t seem to work. I considered searching for, finding, and plugging in those images for the Robot, but you know what? No. If the Robot can’t do it, then let the Robot look bad. That’s on them.

DISCLAIMER: None of the thoughts and ideas below are my own. I haven’t read these recommended children’s books, nor can I vouch for the reviews. This is all the Robot. If you want few book recommendations from actual me, you’ll still find those at the bottom because I care about giving you something real.

Read on if you dare to enter the future, the door is ajar:

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Navigating Technology with Little Ones: 5 Must-Read Books for Kids Around Age 5

In today’s digital age, technology is an inescapable part of life. For parents of young children, navigating this landscape can be a balancing act. One way to introduce kids to the world of technology while also teaching them about its responsible use is through children’s literature. Books offer a fantastic way to discuss technology's role in their lives in a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate manner. If you’re looking to combine reading with tech education, here are five fantastic books for kids around the age of 5 that blend technology themes with captivating storytelling.

1. **"The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires**


**Review:**

This charming book follows a little girl who sets out to create "the most magnificent thing" but faces challenges and setbacks along the way. Through her journey, she learns about persistence, problem-solving, and the iterative process—core concepts in technology and engineering. The book’s illustrations are vibrant and whimsical, capturing the little girl's imaginative efforts and the trials she faces. It’s an excellent introduction to the concept of designing and tinkering, showing children that technology starts with creativity and persistence.

**Why It’s Great:**

It encourages a growth mindset and resilience in the face of challenges, foundational traits for anyone interested in technology.

2. **"Ricky the Robot" by Julie Dillemuth**


**Review:**

"Ricky the Robot" is a delightful story about a little robot named Ricky who is curious and eager to explore the world around him. When Ricky gets to school, he learns about human activities and interactions, providing a playful introduction to robotics and technology. The book’s illustrations are engaging, and the story’s simple language makes it accessible for young readers.

**Why It’s Great:**

It introduces basic concepts of robotics and programming in a way that’s both fun and understandable for young children.

3. **"Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files" by Ada Twist, Scientist Team**


**Review:**

Based on the popular character from the "Ada Twist, Scientist" series, this book takes a look at scientific inquiry and the process of asking questions. While not solely about technology, it provides a foundation for understanding how science and technology intersect. The book encourages curiosity and problem-solving—skills that are integral to technology.

**Why It’s Great:**

It fosters a love for inquiry and discovery, laying the groundwork for understanding scientific and technological concepts.

4. **"Bunny's Book Club" by Annie Silvestro**


**Review:**

"Bunny's Book Club" follows a bunny who loves books and discovers the wonders of the library. While the primary focus is on reading and literature, the book also subtly introduces the idea of information and knowledge sharing, a key aspect of technology. The story is sweet, and the illustrations are endearing, making it a hit with young children.

**Why It’s Great:**

It promotes a love for reading and learning, which can be a gateway to exploring technology and digital literacy.

5. **"Max and the Techno Wreck" by Jeffery Bennett**


**Review:**

In "Max and the Techno Wreck," Max, a young boy, finds himself in a futuristic world where technology has gone awry. The story follows Max as he uses problem-solving skills to restore order. The book is filled with playful illustrations and a storyline that encourages kids to think critically about technology and its impact.

**Why It’s Great:**

It introduces the idea that technology needs to be managed carefully and thoughtfully, and it highlights problem-solving and critical thinking.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating books that deal with technology into your child’s reading routine is a fantastic way to introduce them to these concepts in an engaging manner. By exploring these stories, children not only learn about the basics of technology but also develop important skills like problem-solving, persistence, and curiosity. Happy reading!

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Feel free to share your thoughts or any other book recommendations in the comments below. What are your favorite tech-themed books for young readers?

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CHAT WITH ME

OK, hi! It is me, Alexis, and I am back. Did you miss me? I am a little disturbed by the fact that the computer basically has the same sign-off as me, even though it is, admittedly, a fairly uninventive one. The only difference between me and the Robot is my very Texas y’all.

So, I am desperate to know, how did the Robot stack up against my regular newsletter? Without the terribly long preamble would you have even known it was the Robot that wrote this post? Should we let the Robot take over the world? Do you lean towards labeling AI as a helpful tool for the world, a harmful deterrent for creativity, or something in between? And if the latter, what is that thing?

Thanks to the robot, I now have a new quest to find these suggested titles, read them for myself, and give you actual reviews. Stay tuned.

If you are still here (thanks for you) and you still want actual library books reviewed by actual me, here are our top picks from this last library haul. Because I can’t let the Robot do all the work for me, unlike that guy in his fancy office with his robot created slideshow, I came (slightly) prepared.

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FROM THE STAX

JABARI TRIES by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari really wants to make a plane. Frustrated when his attempts don’t go as planned, Jabari nearly gives up. But, with a little encouragement from his dad and a little inspiration from his little sister, he finds the courage to try again.

Topical, considering the messaging behind AI seems to suggest that when the going gets tough we should let the Robot do it for you. This book speaks to the heart of any kid (or adult) who has ever wanted to quit, teaching that perseverance, patience, and accepting unexpected suggestions can help you achieve your goals.

THERE’S A SKELETON INSIDE YOU! by Idan Ben-Barak & Julian Frost

On the way to their friends birthday, Quort and Oort get accidentally stranded on a distant planet and can’t rectify the problem because…they don’t have bones.

This utterly ridiculous and funny book will spark delight in your child when they realize that they get to help solve Quort and Oort’s predictament while learning about the anatamoy of a human arm. Pure genius. If you haven’t seen (and then sang for the next 10 years straight) the hilarious and slightly grotesque public safety campaign ad Dumb Ways to Die, animated by Julian Frost, then you are welcome. Or I am sorry. Depending. This book is a much less morbid but still just as catchy, kooky, and longlasting creation.

HAVE YOU SEEN MY DRAGON? by Steve Light

A boy heads out of his apartment building in Manhatten on a hunt for his lost dragon. He looks high and low in the busy city, with each wonderfully illustrated page highlighting a specific item for counting.

One of the most lovely and visually engaging counting books I have ever encountered, the pops of color for the featured items really helps early mathmaticians easily find and count from 1 to 20. Added bonus, you get to search for the boy and the dragon on every page, and get a little tour of some well known New York neighborhoods along the way.

THE KISSING HAND by Audrey Penn Illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M Leak

When little racoon is nervous to start school, mama racoon lets him in on a secret passed down from her own mama racoon. The kissing hand. With one simple kiss, mama racoon reassures her little guy that her love is always with him throughout his whole day.

I resisted this book for SO long. I don’t know why. It felt too easy, too obvious, too sentimental. I even avoided it in our run up to kindergarten, opting for other books to prep for the big day. Then my son came home on day three of Kindergarten and told ME about the kissing hand. Heart immediately melts along with all my long held stubborn refusal to get behind this book. You best believe we are full converts to the kissing hand secret and the simple reassurance that you can take the love of a mama (or parent, or friend) with you wherever you go.

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Phew. We made it! Stay safe out there, and watch out for the Robot. See you on Friday for Auntie’s Annex and next week for more great book suggestions. Happy reading Y’all!