Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Starred Review A little spaceship lands on a rather dim, ordinary-looking planet, and a tiny spaceman begins his routine: collecting, labeling, and organizing soil samples. When a bird flies off with his spaceship, he gives chase, but he's soon distracted by a variety of intriguing plants. A "hideous beast" leaps out at him, and the spaceman flees in terror. Still, as the sky lightens, he's fascinated by the many strange, often beautiful creatures. Even the beast isn't threatening, but playful. They become friends. The spaceman considers completing his work, but when he finds his spaceship in a tree, he nudges it and watches it fall, splash, and disappear into the pond below. He's content to stay in "this extraordinary place," laughing and playing with his new friend. Written from the spaceman's viewpoint, the narrative flows well from one discovery to the next. In Cecil's oil paintings, the colors become clearer and brighter as the story progresses, and so does the story's tone. Like the lovable spaceman himself, this is one of those quirky, original picture books that appeal to many adults as well as children. Preschoolers, in particular, will enjoy pointing out that the spaceman's "hideous beast" is actually a friendly dog. A quirky, original picture book.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A spaceman lands on planet Earth.This story ticks all the boxes. Clever narrative that humorously mimics 19th-century travelogues, check. Engaging illustrations that enrich and amplify, check. Endearing characters, double-check. Our unnamed, goggle-eyed, yellow-skinned, tiny hero tells readers that it's his job to visit planets. He collects soil samples, he labels them, and he files them. Then it's off to the next planet. And the next. But on this planet, which at first seems as desolate as the rest, the spaceman is entranced by a gorgeous-and comparatively huge-flower. While he's gazing at it, his spacecraft is stolen by a "thief that sprouted wings from its feathery sides" (a bird). He chases, but to no avail. Then he's accosted by a "hideous beast, all covered in fur" (an adorable dog). He flees. Sitting on a rock, he's about to yell in frustration when he notices the night is ending, and in the daylight, the planet's rich and varied beauty is revealed. He hitches a ride with a butterfly, enthralled by all he sees, then loses his grip and falls into a lily pond, where the "hideous beast" rescues him (the creature is "not without its charms," the spaceman admits). As the spaceman and the dog snuggle together on dry land, he looks up-and sees his spacecraft in the branches of a tree. Ah, he can return to his old life again. But will he?Humorous, poignant, and oh-so-satisfying. (Picture book. 3-7)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

K-Gr 2 —When the titular orange-skinned extraterrestrial first arrives on Earth, he finds himself fairly unimpressed by his seemingly "ordinary" surroundings. Before he can return to his ship, however, he watches helplessly as it is carried off by a curious bird. The spaceman gathers his courage in pursuit of the "winged bandit," soon finding himself encountering an inquisitive pup. Increasingly frustrated, the alien calls to the stars for help, only to notice them fading. In the light of day, the spaceman finds himself in awe of the flora, fauna, and wildlife, even enjoying a new round of play with the dog. Soon reveling in the joy of companionship and nature, the extraterrestrial ponders his next move, before making a decision that allows him to stay in this new beautiful place with a new friend. Cecil's text is subtly humorous with its formal observational tone, with young readers sure to enjoy the misidentification of familiar plants and animals. The oil illustrations are particularly notable for their texture and depth, lending beauty to the inviting landscape. VERDICT A clever and charming story of perspective, belonging, and finding oneself, this is a highly recommended for purchase.—Olivia Gorecke

Kirkus Reviews

A spaceman lands on planet Earth.This story ticks all the boxes. Clever narrative that humorously mimics 19th-century travelogues, check. Engaging illustrations that enrich and amplify, check. Endearing characters, double-check. Our unnamed, goggle-eyed, yellow-skinned, tiny hero tells readers that it's his job to visit planets. He collects soil samples, he labels them, and he files them. Then it's off to the next planet. And the next. But on this planet, which at first seems as desolate as the rest, the spaceman is entranced by a gorgeous-and comparatively huge-flower. While he's gazing at it, his spacecraft is stolen by a "thief that sprouted wings from its feathery sides" (a bird). He chases, but to no avail. Then he's accosted by a "hideous beast, all covered in fur" (an adorable dog). He flees. Sitting on a rock, he's about to yell in frustration when he notices the night is ending, and in the daylight, the planet's rich and varied beauty is revealed. He hitches a ride with a butterfly, enthralled by all he sees, then loses his grip and falls into a lily pond, where the "hideous beast" rescues him (the creature is "not without its charms," the spaceman admits). As the spaceman and the dog snuggle together on dry land, he looks up-and sees his spacecraft in the branches of a tree. Ah, he can return to his old life again. But will he?Humorous, poignant, and oh-so-satisfying. (Picture book. 3-7)

Publishers Weekly

Exiting its spaceship, the itinerant spaceman of this picture book’s title immediately deems this latest stop on a soil-collection tour to be “a rather ordinary planet.” But as the being loses its spacecraft and the story unfolds, first-person narration and close-hatched illustrations by Cecil (Douglas)—whose oil brushstrokes imbue every object with remarkable depth—show readers that not only has the orange, space-suited figure arrived on Earth, but also that it is diminutive compared to the planet’s insects and flowers. Alarmed at first, the spaceman takes a multi-page, aerial tour via butterfly and is filled with wonder; its once world(s)-weary face, which features a hairless head and googly eyes, now wears an expression of unadulterated happiness. Befriended by a slobber-happy pooch, the character realizes, “What a surprise it was to hear myself laughing. To find myself playing. What a joy to simply sit together enjoying the gentle breeze.” Responsibilities on other planets await—but what if leaving this paradise were to become impossible? With its openhearted protagonist and self-affirming ending, this sojourn celebrates the profound joy that comes with finally finding where one belongs. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)