First Day on a Strange New Planet

Blast Off Boy & Blorp #1

by Dan Yaccarino

Two elementary students, one from Earth and one from the newly discovered planet, Meep, exchange places.

Genres: Childrens, Science Fiction, Aliens, Science Fiction Fantasy, School, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 3, 2000

About the author

Exhibitions of his work have been held throughout the world. He is also the creator of the animated TV Series Willa's Wild Life and Oswald.

Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Érika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Revisar libros del plan lector no siempre es un plan agradable. Este es muy pequeño y poco trascendente.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este es el primer libro, encuadernado y editado como tal, que recuerdo haber leído completo, por mi cuenta, en mi vida (¿o tal vez El principito vino primero...?). Me acordaba de él conceptualmente y recién ahora pude encontrar el título.

¡5 estrellas por empezarlo todo!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a clever, humorous little story that my niece, nephew and I enjoyed. It was a little lengthy, so I was surprised that my nephew's four-year old attention span lasted for the duration of this book. The kids laughed several times, and didn't seem to tire of Blast Off Boy and Blorp's misadventures as participants in the intergalactic student exchange program. In fact, they wanted me to read the book a second time.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[A_Olga · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book series is good for 2nd -3rd grade students. It would even work well for ELL's in fourth grade. I think this series could work in order to get students into reading low fantasy/sci-fi books at a primary level.
It is an o.k. series for getting students to imagine a world beyond their own however, it does not do such a good job in developing the characters or setting in the story.
I stumbled upon this series at my school library and decided to read and review it and see how good it was.
One other thing to consider is that it was written in 2000. I'm sure there are new sci-fi picture books out there that would meet the criteria for modern fanttasy alot better than this one did.
Any suggestions? Let me know. Olga

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could help a child who has to move and endure the hardships of experiencing all things new in their life. I didn't like that the alien seemed to be smarter and able to impress the earthlings far more. They also spent their vacations out in the Milky Way and touring the moons of Jupiter. What is the author saying? That aliens are way more advanced in intergalactic travel? What's up with that? The Earthlings should have been able to have spa trips to bath in Mars mud or something for vacation.

[Literacy Group]

Blast Off Boy is part of a new exchange program on the planet Meep. He goes to live with the Glorp family, whose son, Blorp, lives with his family. Both Blast Off Boy and Blorp get the chance to experience each other's planets.

Grade: 4
Heather

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to help prepare young children for the new, and often scary adventure that is school. It's funny and reassuring at the same time.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked when I saw that big ooze monster!"

[The Book Box]

Mama brought this home from her school library. We love Dan Yaccarino but haven't read all of his books, so it was fun to have new ones to read! Daddy read me this one.