We Are Definitely Human

by X. Fang

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Three unassuming (or very assuming, depending on who you ask) aliens try to fit in on Earth, but turns out they need a little help. Don't we all.

A hilarious alien invasion story with a feel-good message about what it means to be human. Perfect for earthlings of all ages.

When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.

A sweetly funny extraterrestrial offering that explores surprising acts of kindness and acceptance, X. Fang's second picture book is truly out of this world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781774882023
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	162,368
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.48(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

X. FANG is a visual artist and maker of books for young readers. Born in Taichung, Taiwan, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she now lives in rural Maine with her husband and their dog, Pamela. X. Fang's debut picture book Dim Sum Palace, which the New York Times called “sumptuous,” was the winner of the 2023 Society of Illustrators' Dilys Evans Founders Award.

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/29/2024

When their flying saucer crash-lands near Mr. and Mrs. Li’s rural home at midnight, a trio of aliens tries their darndest to convince the couple that “we are DEFINITELY human.” The three clearly resemble blue chess pieces with ovoid heads and huge eyes, but instead of challenging their story or sending them elsewhere, Mr. Li “did what kind humans do. He offered to help.” The two welcome the aliens as guests—referring to them as “y’all” and going along their stories of being “from Europe.” (Asked what they do there, they reply, “I make business... I play sports ball... I wear hat.”) After the group visits a local general store for repair equipment, neighbors prove curious but equally hospitable, and a barn-raising-style party ensues (one of the aliens applies a hot dog to its head). Digitally colored graphite tableaus lend a slyly funny vibe, and what starts out as a fish-out-of-water comedy becomes a close encounter of straightforward acceptance. “Wherever they went next,” writes Fang (Dim Sum Palace) of the aliens as they fly away, “they would remember the kindness of humans, and do what kind humans do—offer help to anyone who needs it.” Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. Agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"[A] slyly funny vibe . . . what starts out as a fish-out-of-water comedy becomes a close encounter of straightforward acceptance." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

"The importance of kindness shines through this farcical tale, and the creatures know it too." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 2024-05-04
Three blue, oddly shaped strangers appear in Mr. and Mrs. Li’s backyard one night.

A UFO is seen falling from the sky behind a small farmhouse. Mr. Li goes to investigate, and the big-eyed creatures introduce themselves. “Hello,” the tall one says. “We are DEFINITELY human.” They also claim to be having car trouble and explain that they are from…Europe. With impeccable comedic timing and deadpan humor, the actual humans in the story respond with help and kindness. Mr. Li gives them shelter, then takes them to town to get supplies. There, they meet other kind humans who want to lend a hand. Soon, there’s a little car-fixing party in the woods with music, hot dogs, and dancing. No one bats an eye at the visitors’ claim that they “make business” and “play sports ball” or need instruction on how to eat. The importance of kindness shines through this farcical tale, and the creatures know it, too: “Wherever they went next, they would remember the kindness of humans, and do what kind humans do—offer help to anyone who needs it.” Finely detailed and textured illustrations complement the humor. The Lis are cued East Asian; other human characters are racially diverse.

DEFINITELY a good book. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews