Alien Tomato

In Schroeder's debut, something red and round bounces into a garden, and the vegetables convince themselves that it's an alien tomato. After some initial misgivings ("Will it zap us with lasers?" worries Reggie, a carrot), the vegetables embrace the newly christened "Allie" with wide-eyed enthusiasm; they explain away the alien's silence ("It probably doesn't speak our language") and fete it with crumpets, tea, and a special crown. But there's one naysayer in this bushel: a gopher, whose absolute certainty about Allie's origins ("It can't talk... because IT'S JUST... A RED BALL!") is coupled with garden-variety resentment ("Nobody ever held a party for ME"). Digital vignettes by Engell (Matzah Belowstairs) have the bounce and drive of an animated cartoon sketch, capturing both the gopher's frustration and an entire spectrum of goofy plant-based earnestness, from a worried broccoli to a trio of cooperative peas. But it turns out that the vegetables' welcoming instincts are right; just when the gopher thinks he's gotten them back, he gets a comeuppance that's out of this world. Ages 4-8.

PreS-Gr 2--Peaceful life in a garden is upended when a mysterious red ball suddenly arrives. The vegetables eagerly welcome their new friend, while a grumpy gopher resents the warm reception. Refusing to believe the new visitor is, as the vegetables think, an alien tomato, he abducts the red ball--and is gleefully abducted in return in a surprise twist ending. Vivid, large-scale illustrations complement the story's lighthearted and humorous tone. With only a few sentences per page and peppy dialogue that invites audience interaction, this book makes for a lively storytime read. It is sure to entertain young readers, while encouraging a valuable discussion on kindness. VERDICT This welcome addition to picture book collections is likely to become a read-aloud favorite for preschool and lower elementary school audiences.--Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA