I should probably put this in "Challenges," especially given what little info I can give you, but since it's book-related...

When I was in second grade (and counting back, that puts this in 1977-78), there was a series of books in my school library that I absolutely adored. They were science fiction kids' picture books, the usual hardcover longer-than-it-is-tall variety, and the only thing I can remember about them is that the main character's sidekick was a robot dog who wore one of those astronaut helmets that you find in illustared sci-fi, the kind that are glass all the way around. Looking back on it, I'm almost sure these would have been written and illustrated in the late fifties/early sixties, given the style of illustration (and I can still see some of those illustrations in my head!).

I know it's almost nothing to go on... but if anyone can figure it out, it's you lot. Who wrote these books? What were they called? Most importantly, are they still in print? (Actually, I'll probably head for ebay as soon as I've got a name anyway, so the in-print thing doesn't matter as much, I guess...) I've been searching, unsuccessfully, for them since I was about twelve years old. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I even promise that, if I remember you in my will, in won't be with unpaid bills!

R

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http://www.geocities.com/xterminalx

Are you able to contact or visit the school? Maybe they're still there? It's a long shot by far!

If you want to re-post it the place for it would be in the I Need An Answer forum.

I work in an elementary school library during the summer so I have seen tons of books similar to the ones you are describing. These series sound like they may be the ones you are talking about:

MISHMASH AND THE ROBOT by Molly Cone
THE LAZIEST ROBOT IN ZONE ONE By Hoban, Lillian, and Phoebe

I hope I was of some help! Hope you find your books!

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"There's no point in being grown up if you cant be chilidish sometimes!"-Dr.Who

Geek-- nope, but good tries. I remember the Mishmash books, as well, and fun they were.

shuttlebunny-- I could probably drop by the school, if it weren't a hundred fifty miles away. However, that's closer than I've been to it in a while (I've moved around a lot over the course of my life), so it may be worth a jaunt... I can remember exactly where in the library they were, too (center row, about halfway down, second shelf from the bottom), but I think that library was a temporary solution-- it was in some kind of mobile building, like a trailer, with corrugated metal sides and a tunnel connecting it to the school building. Ah, the memories of freezing in the winter!

R

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