Showing posts with label Aliens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aliens. Show all posts

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Review: Your Alien Returns by Tammi Sauer


YOUR ALIEN RETURNS
by Tammi Sauer
Illustrated by Goro Fujita
Sterling Children's Books
Picture Book
ages 3-8
40 pages
Lexile 510


When you least expect it, something special will get your attention. 

Your alien will be back. 
He will invite you over for a play date. 
 
Come along on an out-of-this-world experience! In this heartwarming sequel to the critically acclaimed Your Alien, it’s the human boy’s turn to visit the extraterrestrial’s home planet—and to feel like an outsider. But with a little help from his very best friend in the whole universe, our young hero finds a way to fit in. Like the two irresistible characters, readers will have the ride of their lives.




MY TIDBITS


With a zoom off into space, friendship and fun abounds with colorful little aliens and tons of galactic surprises.

After shooting back off into space in the first book of this series, the alien has finally returned. This time, he has one word in mind - Play! Goodbye Earth and say hello to a whimsical alien planet, where life holds all sorts of wonders.

The sad parting of book one rebounds into warmth and friendship in this book--something I was glad to see. The alien is back and even livelier and cuter than before. It's off to an alien planet where imagination and fun are key. The adventure of discovering something new shines in these pages with quirky and wonderful ideas. It's just the kind of read which spawns imagination and invites kids to reach for the unexpected.

There is also heart in this book. Friendship, support and encouragement are messages which come across in lovely ways. It also reminds that when discovering something new, things may not always work out as hoped or planned and misunderstandings can occur with new friends too.

The illustrations are bright and modern. Each page holds something new and will invite kids to flip through the book time and again. The aliens are simply hug-able.

Summed up, this is a sweet book for space dreamers ages 3+ and will work great as a real aloud or simply for kids to explore on their own.


And here she is. . .


Tammi Sauer is the author of many Sterling books, including Your Alien, Mary Had a Little Glam, Chicken Dance, Bawk & Roll, and Cowboy Camp. She is an active blogger and highly involved in the children's writer community. Tammi has worked as a teacher and library media specialist, but now writes full time and visits schools around the country. She lives in Edmond, OK, and is available for interview.




All about the Illustrator!


Goro Fujita was born in Japan and now lives in San Jose, CA. He works as a book illustrator, animator, and art director on virtual-reality experiences.  Visit him online at area-56.de. 




Friday, August 14, 2015

Review: Aoléon The Martian Girl Part 3 by Brent LeVasseur




Aoléon

The Martian Girl Part 3

by Brent LeVasseur

Aoléon Press

Middle Grade 

Science Fiction

144 pages




Aoléon and Gilbert investigate the Luminon to try and uncover the plot to invade Earth to steal it’s milk cows. In the process, they discover a disturbing revelation about the Martian leader. After overhearing the Luminon discuss his plans to use sabotage to disrupt Mars’s galact supply, the duo races to try and to warn Aoléon’s father Deimos, who is a manager at the galactworks plant before the saboteur can act. 


Meanwhile, Aoleon has to take her pilots exam, which would enable her to eventually join the Martian intergalactic explorational fleet. However, during the test-run, something goes horribly wrong. The two are put in a life threatening situation that only Bizwat, a Procyon commando, and Aoléon’s friend can save them from. 

Gilbert finally gets his chance to learn to skyboard. However, things go horribly wrong and they are chased by the Royal Paladin guard. 

Will they survive?

Join Aoleon and Gilbert in this exciting middle-grade scifi adventure story to Mars and beyond!







MY TIDBITS


After getting to know Gilbert and Aoleon in the first two books and a little bit about life on Mars, it was fun to jet off with this book into a faster paced adventure. Finally, Gilbert and Aoleon are figuring out what they're up against, and they've got their hands full.

This is my favorite book in the series so far (the first two gave more an introduction to Gilbert and Aoleon as well as daily life on Mars). But where those books lacked on plot, this one reels it all back in and doesn't disappoint. Not only does the plot  gain on pace, but there's a nice mixture of mystery and suspense thrown in. This adds a whole new dimension to the story, one that is sure to draw kids in and keep them hooked for the next book in the series. It feels like the story has finally shifted into hyerdrive and the real ride has begun.

The illustrations, like in the books before, are colorful and add a lot to the story. My kids enjoy glancing over all of them several times and telling their own version of the story before hitting the real, written version. It's not hard to get caught up in Gilbert and Aoleon's adventures and shoot off through space with them. Even the descriptions draw in, making certain details unforgettable as new aliens and schemes are introduced.

Although intended for the middle grade audience, the writing easily gears for older readers. The vocabulary can, at times, go to higher levels as well as the scientific concepts behind several things. Although not all middle grade readers will necessarily understand everything, I doubt they'll mind. There's such a delightful mixture of adventure, humor and a little douse of warming family and friendship which really makes this story worth reading.

My only complaint is the cliff-hanger ending. I'm not a huge fan of those simply because I hate having to wait to see what will happen next. And this time, I can't wait to dive into book 4.











THE BUZZ!


In LeVasseur's debut middle-grade sci-fi novel, a friendly extraterrestrial girl whisks a Nebraska farm boy away for a wild adventure of Martian intrigue, rebellion and invasion." -Kirkus Reviews




ALSO AVAILABLE:

The Martian Girl Song!


Another World - Single

Featuring Élan Noelle

Download on iTunes












And here he is. . . 
BRENT LEVASSEUR!!!




Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.

Connect with Brent:   Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Aoléon: The Martian Girl