Book Review of Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny
Sponsored* | All opinions are our own
The Children’s Book Review
Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny
Written and Illustrated by Jon Kaczka
Ages: 6-8 | 80 Pages
Publisher: Low on Ink Books (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9911031-2-1
What to Expect: Family, problem-solving, positive thinking, overcoming obstacles, bravery, quest adventure.
In this cute chapter book for beginner readers, a daring young protagonist encounters a quirky cast of fantasy characters and finds creative, often funny solutions to the obstacles she faces on her quest.
When Mari-chan’s daddy goes missing during an expedition to the Arctic, her best friend, the magical bunny toy Roboto Bunny, comes up with a daring plan—they’ll travel to a tree that Roboto Bunny knows of that can transport you anywhere you want to go, and they’ll rescue Mari-chan’s daddy. The only problem? To fit through the magical door that will start their journey, Roboto Bunny has to transform Mari-chan into a baby!
Together, Roboto Bunny and baby Mari-chan travel through the underworld, braving crocodiles, leaping rivers, solving puzzles, and passing tests to get to the tree and Mari-chan’s daddy. It’s not easy to do any of those things when you’re only a baby—but Mari-chan quickly learns that little people can do way more than they think if they put their minds to it!
Woven throughout the narrative are important messages about self-belief, perseverance, and teamwork. The dream-like landscape of rainbow-colored roads, cows in castles, and sheep rowing boats keeps the story rolling at an engaging pace, and readers will love watching Mari-chan, who is already courageous and determined, grow in self-confidence as she overcomes each new challenge.
Roboto Bunny is the perfect guide for her quest—knowledgeable enough to make her feel safe, but not so powerful that he doesn’t get into some humorous scrapes of his own. The chapters themselves are written in the simple sentences and declarative style of a young child, making it both accessible and immersive, while simple digital illustrations add interest and break up the text without preventing the reader from imagining the vivid scenes for themselves.
Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny is a fun and uplifting story, perfect for any young reader who draws their confidence from a favorite toy.
Buy the Book
About the Author
Author Jon Kaczka always dreamed of becoming a writer, but it was his young daughter who ultimately helped turn that dream into reality. When Jon began making up bedtime stories inspired by her beloved bunny stuffy, her six-year-old excitement encouraged him to put pen to paper—and eventually to illustrate—what would become his debut chapter book, Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny, an imaginative adventure about a brave little girl and her magical toy bunny.
Jon’s story ideas come from all sorts of places—life experiences, songs, and folklore—with the spark for Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny tracing back to the symbolic journey of Dante’s Inferno. He believes the best stories transport young readers, spark curiosity, and leave them smiling long after the last page is turned, and he hopes his books do just that.
Also, the author of a horror novel, Jon enjoys rock climbing in his spare time—just like the adventurous father in his chapter book. He lives in Maryland with his wife and daughter, who is already dreaming up new stories for Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Mari-chan and Roboto Bunny. Learn more about getting a book review …
