The Babysitter from Another Planet

by Stephen Savage

Overview

The kids are in for a treat when their parents leave them with a babysitter who is truly out of this world—an alien!

A Golden Duck Notable Picture Book

When their parents go out for the evening, a brother and sister are left with a babysitter unlike any they've ever had before—an alien from another planet! But even though she seems a little strange, the kids quickly see that this babysitter can make anything fun...even brushing their teeth and doing their homework.

This story is literally E.T. meets Mary Poppins, and as soon as the Babysitter from Another Planet is gone, the kids can't wait for her to come back again.

With references to everything from '50s Science Fiction movies (sure to produce a chuckle from knowing parents) to ET, bestselling author Stephen Savage has produced a visual and verbal tour de force that will have kids begging for more.

An ILA-CBC Children's Choice!
A CBC Children's Choice Book Awards Finalist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823441471
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	02/12/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	317,384
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Stephen Savage is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator whose accolades include a New York Times Best Illustrated Book (Polar Bear Night) and a Geisel Honor (Supertruck). His picture book Polar Bear Night was a New York Times bestseller. He teaches at the School of Visual Arts and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

10/29/2018
Arriving via spaceship to care for her charges, the titular babysitter is a far cry from the unearthly menaces of 1950s sci-fi movies. She not only has a kind, patient face topped with a floating moonlike orb, she also creates an entire meal, including cupcakes, with her eyes; explains homework by conjuring up 3-D forms from thin air; and plays antigravity games before bedtime. Why would anyone want the usual teenage human babysitter? The book is really a series of spreads around a premise—the slight narrative arc doesn’t move much beyond bedtime or into the intricacies of alien sitters for hire—but the familiar ritual turned cosmic is a lot of fun to regard. As many kids know, spending the evening with a great babysitter really does feel out of this world. Bright digital pictures by Savage (Little Plane Learns to Write) have a reassuring sense of symmetry and solidity, with midcentury modern stylings, seemingly inspired by a vintage issue of House Beautiful, that grown-ups will surely appreciate. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"Bright digital pictures by Savage . . . have a reassuring sense of symmetry and solidity, with midcentury modern stylings, seemingly inspired by a vintage issue of House Beautiful, that grown-ups will surely appreciate."—Publishers Weekly

"A resource for the babysitter bookshelf and to prompt conversations about seeing beyond appearances."—Kirkus Reviews

"When their parents go to the movies, a young girl and boy are left with a new babysitter who has more tricks up her sleeve than Mary Poppins. The sitter is an extraterrestrial who beamed down from a spaceship and demonstrates wonderful capabilities. . . . Children will wish their own sitters were a bit more outlandish. A super read-aloud selection to share one-on-one or with group, even at bedtime."—School Library Journal
 
"Savage's digital illustrations in a subdued color palette enhance the tale's retro flair"—The Horn Book

From the Publisher

Winter 2018

K-Gr 2–When their parents go to the movies, a young girl and boy are left with a new babysitter who has more tricks up her sleeve than Mary Poppins. The sitter is an extraterrestrial who beamed down from a spaceship and demonstrates wonderful capabilities. She's able to set the table and cook an extravagant meal just by using her eyebeams. Helping the children with their homework and getting the pair ready for bed are adventures the youngsters have never before experienced. Her presence in the house creates a truly exciting and entertaining evening for the kids as she shares some of her powers with them. So, when Mom and Dad go out again the following week, a run-of-the-mill human babysitter is just not acceptable. Using their index fingers—think E.T.—the children contact their new friend who arrives with even more surprises in store. Savage's trademark digital illustrations with their clean, uncluttered lines show the sitter a deep purple with a somewhat humanoid shape. Children will wish their own sitters were a bit more outlandish. VERDICT A super read-aloud selection to share one-on-one or with group, even at bedtime.—Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI

School Library Journal

2018-11-12

When Mom and Dad go on a date, the children meet their new babysitter with caution that turns to glee as she soon becomes their favorite sitter.

A strange silhouette, with green rays emanating from her eyes, greets the kids as they scramble under the kitchen table. It's clear this is no ordinary caregiver. Bull-horned, purple, and reminiscent of a slimmed-down Barbapapa character, this babysitter is definitely an extraterrestrial. But as she cooks, helps with homework, reads, and sings lullabies, she slowly becomes more familiar. The kids are won over when she pulls the ultimate sitter move—letting them stay up late (and play anti-gravity games). Digital illustrations are done in a cool palette using simple blocks of color. The cover parodies the 1950s futuristic aesthetic, from the shape and shading of the flying saucers and car to the modern-style home; distressed display type on the title harkens back to pulp magazines. Unfortunately, while Savage exhibits his signature skill on the cover and title page, the interiors lack the same attention to scale and detail. The mysterious lighting may unsettle more than just the protagonists; this is one to use with children who have had some experience with babysitters already. The family appears to be a multiracial one, with a peach-skinned dad and a light-brown-skinned mom.

A resource for the babysitter bookshelf and to prompt conversations about seeing beyond appearances. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews

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