Mom holds the Alien's Guide to Earth and fields questions from her young son. Using this important alien resource, she identifies, refines definitions, and furthers her son's search. This journey of strange perspectives will please young children who will enjoy knowing more than the aliens. Pictures are bright, bold, and illustrate the ironies. As children get older, they want more specific information.
Animals become a focus, rather than a vehicle for approaching learning.
Children who are uncomfortable about zoo animals locked in cages will be as satisfied as the young girl in the story. With careful attention to detailing, Aliki leads a tour that describes plants, animals and their behaviors, habitats, and the inner workings of a zoo. The guide is Miss Lewis. Author-illustrator George is an amazing observer and recorder of the natural world and also knows childrens' fondness for being actively involved in learning so she sets up a guessing game. From the first stop at the Panama Canal to last in California, Miss Lewis describes each locale in terms of the habitat and animals who live in the environment.