Allen the alien by Stephanie Ward & Aleck Morton

Allen the Alien and his pet Byte decide to visit Earth. They believe that the Earthlings are very friendly, but they run away in fear when they appear. Allen has some favourite toys with him – a ninja star, x-ray gun, double headed axe and alien lazer sword – and thinks that the children will love to play with them, but when they flee, he decides that they want to play hide and seek. Byte wants to play fetch in the park but dogs don’t like to play with him. In the meantime, news reporters are gathering around and a breaking news flash is telling people to run for their lives.

The hilarious illustrations are opposite to the simple text. While Allen and Byte think that the children are happy to see them, the expressions on the children's faces and their actions tell a different story, one that children will have lots of fun examining and talking about. The ‘illustrations were created in biro then finished in a digital collage of photos, paint and mixed media’ and are sure to appeal to children. Young children will have fun listening to the text and following the contrasting story, while older children (and adults) will delight in the sly humour in the illustrations and funny captions.

Another layer can also be found when thinking about Allen the Alien. Children could discuss people’s fear about the alien creatures and talk about accepting difference and how easy it is to have differing beliefs about the same things.

A fun book, with quirky illustrations, Allen the Alien has instant appeal.

Themes: Humour, Aliens, Fear, Difference.

Pat Pledger