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.

WINNER of the Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award • An American Library Association Notable Children's Book

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
Product dimensions:	11.10(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
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

WINNER of the Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award, 2025!
An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
An Amazon.com Best Children's Book of 2024
A New York Magazine Best Kids Book of 2024
One of Indigo's Best Kids' Books of 2024
One of New York Public Library's Top 10 Books for Kids for 2024
One of Chicago Public Library's Best Board Books and Picture Books of 2024
One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids for 2024
One of Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Books of the Year
One of Kirkus Reviews' Funniest Picture Books of 2024
The Best Children's Books of 2024 for The Bump, Picked by Amazon Editors
A Publishers Weekly Best Picture Books 2024
A 2024 Kids' Indie Next Pick
A Golden Duck Notable Picture Books List Pick
A 2025 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
One of Imagination Soup's Best Picture Books of 2024
One of Barnes & Noble's Most Anticipated Kids Books of August 2024
An Amazon Editor's Best of the Month Pick
An Indigo Kids Staff Pick of the Month
A Capital Area District Library Best Book of 2024
A School Library Journal Best Picture Book and Best Science Fiction Book of 2024
A KPBS Must Read Book of 2024
One of Calgary Public Library's 2024 Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Book of the Year, 2024

PRAISE FOR We Are Definitely Human:

"For those who are indisputably, unalterably human, the book is a welcome vote of confidence. Maybe NASA can figure out a way to weld a copy onto its next space probe." —New York Times

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

"[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

"Jon Klassen fans, rejoice: a new laugh-out-loud book can be added to the read-aloud rotation. X. Fang's We Are Definitely Human is a delightful, humorous romp about human kindness towards strangers." —STARRED REVIEW, BookPage

"The story proves more than just a gag, though, through its smoothly executed lesson on being kind to those in need. The textured, richly colored graphite-pencil landscapes and rounded characters are quite beautiful, making the blue and-pink-shaded alien trio all the more awkward. Laugh-out-loud lovely." —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist

"A fabulously illustrated, rib-tickling, and affecting picture book in which Mr. Li and his neighbors demonstrate the potential of kindness and cooperative spirit. . . . Outrageously giggle-inducing dialogue from the aliens is characterized by non sequiturs and garbled syntax, and Fang revels in the disconnect between human expectations and alien quirks. Mixed media illustrations in strong purples, yellows, blues, and greens are a delight. This book's wonderful message of offering help where help is needed is wisely and gracefully delivered." —STARRED REVIEW, Shelf Awareness

"X. Fang presents a rather caring, incredibly funny, and dare I say touching tribute to culture clashes in the best way. This is a book that tips its hat to kindness in the face of uncertainty." —School Library Journal

"If you have read X. Fang's wonderful debut book, Dim Sum Palace, you won't be surprised at her humor, or her characteristically rounded people and objects peopling the tale." —Imaginary Elevators

"A delightful, laugh-out-loud funny picture book." —The Portland Press

"Possibly one of the most delightful picture books I've read this year. Adorable and unpredictable, this is perfect for teaching kids in a fun way that we should always try to give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they’re different from us in more ways than one." —The Southern Bookseller Review

"★ The alien's visit reminds us to be our best human selves —> KIND. A must-own, must-read and must-discuss with children. (And many adults.)​" —Imagination Soup

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