This is a picture book that is about welcoming people in the tradition of Jewish hospitality. How to Welcome an Alien is on the surface, just about being kind to your neighbors and visitors; but the deeper meaning is accepting people who are different from you, and helping them in times of need. This can mean not just your new neighbors, but refugees, aliens or even something else. Rebecca Klempner set their book in a way all can relate. It is humorous, but serious as well. It works for multiple ages, and the author afterwards ties in the inspiration and more of the cultural references. Shirley Waisman brings that to life with silly images and fun, bright, colors the character of Debbie Abraham and her family making friends with a family of aliens who have crashed in their backyard. The details are a combination of some pages being busy and covering a lot of wonderfully placed details, while others are more minimalistic and simpler. It is soft and cozy, while also being bold and active. One of things I liked was the realism of things. The two families do not speak the same language, but they are able to find ways to communicate. And the way the mother reacts, at first (thinking the guests at the door are new neighbors that were invited over), is believable. I read this, due in August 2023, book via an online reader copy. However, I plan on purchasing copies for friends and my local library when it is published. |
Say, you’re not around from around here are you?
How to Welcome an Alien by Rebecca Klempner