Grace Builds an Almost-Perfect Dog

by Curtis Manley, Tracy Subisak (Illustrator)

A girl uses code to build a robot dog from scratch in this heartwarming STEM-based picture book perfect for fans of HOW TO CODE A SANDCASTLE and PAPA'S MECHANICAL FISH.

When Grace's parents tell her she can't have a dog, she has the perfect solution - she'll build a robot dog! Grace gets to work screwing the parts together, crossing the wires, installing the sensors, and, of course, writing the dog's code.

But Grace's robot dog is a little too perfect. He always wags his tail when he's happy, waits patiently for his food, and fetches the stick every. Single. Time.

When Grace has the idea to program him to break the rules sometimes, she throws his stick a little too far. She'll have to use code - and friends - to bring him back.

Perfect for aspiring coders and builders, GRACE BUILDS AN ALMOST-PERFECT DOG is a tender tale about the power of friendship and determination.

Genres: Picture Books, Stem, Childrens, Dogs, Science, Animals, Engineering

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

I write for young people of all ages and strive to create fun books with facts about the world around us and truths about the worlds within.

curtismanley.com

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story about a girl desperate for a pet trying to assemble her own robot dog takes an interesting turn into hardcore STEM as she learns about unintended consequences, testing, and debugging computer code.

Cute art and a heartfelt through line keep the momentum going even when a few pages are fill with computer language.

[Jenn Palomino]

Jeter sniffed this one a bit and then gave lots of licks right after we were done reading. So another successful puppy bedtime story I’d say.

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace wants a dog. Her parents compromise when they agree that she can buy a robot dog (with her own money). But the only one she can afford is the one she has to build herself. When she finally completes the project, the dog—who she names Kit—seems amazing at first. Then, when Kit does everything in a predictable way, Grace becomes bored. She realizes that her new pet needs mischief so she programs that in. Fun ensues, along with the realization that there needs to be some limits. This wonderful modern-day take on having a pet is a fun and inspirational read. It’s a terrific reminder that perfect is not always desirable and that pets, alive or robotic, are a complex combination. Great read to enjoy over and over!

[Shruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book.

It's an "I want a pet" story with a major difference - the dog is a robot, and she had to program it to work like she wants it to!

While it's a sweet story of a girl and her pet, it is also an exploration of pet ownership, personalities, the concepts of unpredictability and of danger. But more than anything it is one of those very rare books for children that actually digs deep into how coding works. While younger kids can easily skip reading the code, older ones who are beginning to get interested in algorithms and programming will enjoy reading and figuring out how the code works.

A must-have in every classroom and library.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love dogs and books and picture books about dogs, so I thought this might be good. I had a brief moment of disappointment when I realized this is not a picture book about a dog at all, but then I went on to enjoy an interesting and unusual picture book about coding, with kid-friendly discussions of stating the problem, enhancements, bug fixing, testing and more. There are even exercises and thought-provoking questions at the end (a little *too* teachery for me, at least at the time, to be honest). I am a computer programmer so I thought I might be biased, but my husband is not and he enjoyed this too.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is a very determined little girl. She receives a robot dog as her parents say she cannot have a living dog. The box has so many parts and then she will have to code the dog. Through the process and mishaps readers will notice actual coding as Grace makes her dog follow certain commands she gives orally to it.

As a teacher with students who love the idea of a pet, but don't have one, this book is great. I have been a dog rescue volunteer for years and my students know that. As a teacher who teaches coding, this book hit home for me. I love when books include both of my loves at once!

[Leslie Barnard Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best kid-friendly introduction to coding I've seen yet! With humor, heart, and an engaging storyline, this book helps young readers understand what coding is and how it works while also encouraging a growth mindset. I laughed and smiled as I read about Grace, a relatable character looking for a perfect pet to call her own. Highly recommend for story time and science/engineering time, or better yet a blend of both!

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this is a story about a girl who wants a dog and her persistence to make that happen--even when it means saving for and buying a do-it-yourself robotic dog kit! There's also a back-and-forth with boy next door that, for a while, Grace sees as more of an annoyance. Throughout Grace's building of the dog, the reader follows along and begins to see how coding is important. Information in the back explains how to undertake a coding project.

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, clever story about a super capable girl and a special kind of dog she builds herself. The book includes some lines of coding that many kids will find interesting. Grace builds the perfect robotic dog, only to find that perfection isn’t always ideal. The back matter includes suggestions about writing and testing code.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I wasn't sure a book about coding could have such an engaging and emotionally layered story! This is not just about building a robot dog, it's about connection and creativity and caring, all accomplished through a wonderful main character who figures out the complexity of being a good owner and friend all by herself. Highly recommend!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book that introducing coding language to children in a simple and easy-to-grasp way. Back two pages bring up simple talking points, as well as describes iterations between projects (coding and non-coding alike) and how we can always make things better through redrafting/rewriting/reprogramming.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advanced copy courtesy of the publisher
Grace has wanted a dog FOREVER so when she finds a robotic one, she asks for it. It's not exactly what she wants but she learns a valuable lesson.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace builds a robot dog...and then has to program it. But it's not perfect until it's a little bit imperfect. The backmatter is great for teaching kids about coding, too. Great for a robot-loving kid!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the cycles of iteration and adding complexity in the programming here to arrive at a robot dog that behaves safely but interestingly, as a dog should! Also enjoyed the neighbor slowly getting on board.

[Gayl Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story for today’s tech savvy elementary school students. A girl whose parents will not allow her to have a dog decides to build one out of circuitry in a kit. The result is a dog almost too perfect. Our young builder must learn what it is that makes a good pet and how she can create that.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ye old "kid wants a pet" trope gets a new spin in this STEM-forward story that adds programming, logic, and complexity to the ideas of pet ownership, training/compliance, and personality. Love it!

[Sandhya Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relevant topic for kids explained in a fun way with adorable characters. Such a great way to teach the basics of coding and building. This is a great classroom addition.

[Heidi Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story about a robotic dog, as well as a brilliant kid-friendly introduction to coding.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the code, thought how they incorporated the story with the concept was great. What is a little disconcerting is the idea that a robot could replace something as unique and special as a dog.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, wonderful book that gives a useful context for being a gateway to understanding practical programming. And the dog is super cute as well. <3

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great STEM read, and tie in with Bee Bots lesson.

[Cathlina Bergman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool look at coding with examples of how real computer codes are written.

[Z W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sings and howls, plays fetch and is full of fun and drama!
The illustrations are gorgeous and dynamic (per usual of Ms. Subisak) - giving such huge personality to the inanimate and such depth to relationship.
A totally fun read for kids (and adults) and has that extra STEM layer that teachers and other adults love.