Roz the robot is happy back in her island home, especially when her gosling son, Brightbill returns with his flock after the Winter. He has some important news to share.

All is well until a sick animal is found on the edge of the island. He too has news, but it is not the happy kind this time. Something is spreading across and through the ocean. Nothing can stop it, and it is heading straight for Roz’s island home. Everything it touches dies, and all the sea life are frightened.

Before long, this thing the animals call the ‘poison tide’ is upon them. Roz does her best to counter the poisonous waters, making sure they have plenty of fresh water available for all, and trying to keep everyone safe and healthy. Tensions rise with overcrowding as the edges of the island become toxic. Many decide to leave as food options dwindle and it becomes more unsafe every day. Roz is unsettled at seeing her beloved island inhabitants forced away from their homes.

Roz knows she is the only one who can search for the source of the poison tide, but first she must find the wisest animal on Earth. Every other animal knows of this animal – the Ancient Shark. Thought to be hundreds of years old, it is said that it might be able to help fight this unstoppable danger.

Roz sets out on a long journey, mostly along the seabed. She meets many creatures along the way and learns how the poison tide has changed their lives.

She soon faces the biggest battle of her existence, to save her island, the ocean, the sea life and even herself.

The 3rd book in this hugely popular series and a ripper read.

There are robots, animals and a huge environmental disaster. But Roz is to the rescue in her no nonsense, straight forward robot way – keen to save all she knows and loves, including grand-goslings about to hatch.

The 1st half of the book is the oncoming poison tide and the decision to fight it. This is followed by a long journey to find an animal of legendary wisdom.

The 2nd half of the book is all about negotiation, teamwork operation, courage and then page-turning action of robot against robot, animal vs human, then animals against robot.

This episode can be read without reading the previous novels, but of course if you know and love Roz and her gosling son Brightbill, this story is all the richer for the reading of the 1st two books in the series.

If you can – begin at the beginning. You won’t regret it. 

Author/ Illustrator – Peter Brown

Age – 8+

Read a review for the 1st book in this thrilling series (Click on the Cover)

(2024, Allen & Unwin, Piccadilly Press, Series, Robots, Technology, Journey, Quest, Animals, Whales, Ancient Shark, Team work, Seabed, Negotiation, Sea, Ocean, Geese, Mining, Environment, Pollution, Minerals, Action)