Mario and the Aliens (Happy Fox Books) Children's Picture Book Encourages Kids to Step Away from the Screen and Have Fun Playing Outside with Real Toys Like Bikes, Balls, and Dolls

by Carolina Zanotti, Thái Mỹ Phương (Illustrator)

Help your kids understand the importance of stepping away from computers and electronics to have fun outside with "real toys" like bikes, balls, and dolls! Written for kids aged 5-7, Mario and the Aliens tells the sweet story of a little boy who makes friends with space visitors. Little Mario is a computer geek who is on the computer day and night. He will not leave his computer. Suddenly he hears a commotion in the back yard—the aliens have landed! These creatures have heard about all the cool things that earth kids do to play, and they want to have fun too. Since the aliens are tired of computers and electronic stuff, Mario must show them how to play with traditional toys. Even though Mario doesn't usually ride his bike or play ball, he soon learns how much fun it is, along with his alien friends. Satisfied at having discovered the secrets of earth children, the aliens return to their planet, while Mario has learned the joys of playing outside and wants to go to the park tomorrow! The perfect picture book story for the screen-obsessed kid in your life, Mario and the Aliens will have everyone wanting to get outside and play!

Genres: Picture Books

40 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2019

About the author

Carolina Zanotti is a journalist specializing in music and theater and has written several successful stories and theater shows for children.

Reviews

[Dana-Adriana B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are great. It is about Mario who realize that playing outside is more fun then playing on the computer all day long. He discover the fun with the help of ......aliens. Sad, when you think we need aliens to enjoy more the simple things.
Thank you Netgalley and the author for this adventure.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, if heavy handed book, about how to play when aliens come to visit. The heavy handed message is this "Don't play video games with aliens." The aliens won't like it. However, if you play outdoor games, and thinking games, and moving games, they will enjoy it.





And it is a good message, and once you get past the aliens getting upset about being offered the video games, it makes for a fun story.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5. Cute story with colorful illustrations. A book about friendship, in a funny alien way, and how it’s way more fun for a kid to play outside with friend. Good but simple (and maybe a bit long for the targeted plubic)!

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Sure, it was pretty much as I had hoped, a cute book about a boy befriending aliens. But however the underlining message wasn't that much fun for me. So what if this kid wants to play on his PC all day? Improving his high scores. It just felt a bit too much like playing outside = good, playing the PC = bad. Especially given the reactions of the aliens, and how at the end our MC didn't even miss his PC. But I guess it is a bit like how in my generation and a bit after that we were all warned of the big bad TV. These days TVs are passe so RIP PCs. :P

But still, it was a cute book, and I did like that our MC found out about those games he used to play. He even played with the dolls of his sister (not sure if his sister approves of her dolls being used/taken away, but eh? *tries to shrug it away*). The aliens sure had a fun day playing and discovering new things to do.

I had a laugh at the names of the aliens + their planet. Is there also a Borefive? Or Borethree? *is curious* And I had a bigger laugh at the fact that these aliens have to go home early as their parents are telling them to come home. Given various things I thought the aliens were older (teens or adults), and not that they were kids.

The art was pretty gorgeous, I think it would work better in physical form, at times you had a double spread, but in my copy those were cut up, which kind of ruined the effect/fun. Why though did our little MC's hair change so much in every page. From a bowl cut to a few strands here and there to something that I would say closely resembles a beret.

But all in all, even with the underlining message, I still had quite fun reading this one.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mario is just like a lot of other Earth kids: he loves playing on his computer. But then a trio of alien kids shows up in his backyard, wanting to play. They think computers are boring, so they almost leave... but then Mario introduces them to the ways that Earth children play.

I like this book's message about getting off your butt and actually doing something. Mario shows the aliens how to ride bikes and play soccer, and they even have some fun with his little sister's dolls and beauty supplies. Eventually, the aliens have to go home, but Mario promises to show them some new fun stuff to do when they return. It's kind of sad that his soccer ball was down in the basement, unused, but I guess it's meant to demonstrate how kids have gotten away from playing with physical toys.

The writing had a couple of typos (including one glaring one that replaced "pedal" with "peddle"; you don't "peddle" a bike!) but it was otherwise decent. The illustrations are really the star here, though. They're colourful and fun, and depict the interesting-looking aliens well without having them look too scary. The pictures had almost a retro sort of feel to them, which I liked.

I'm kind of hoping there will be a sequel where the aliens return and Mario can show them some more non-computer things to do. The message could definitely be continued, especially since they really only did three things (mentioned above).

Thank you to NetGalley and Happy Fox Books for providing a digital ARC.

[Cherry London · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book teaches kids that there is more to life than sitting behind their computers. Mario learned that there are kids as bored and searching for new friends and adventure out there just like himself, even if they are aliens. An interesting fun read.

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children’s picture book can be summed up in two words: FREAKING CUTE!

Mario loves playing on the computer by himself, but when aliens land in his backyard, he finds that they don’t want to play on the computer. That’s what all the kids on their planet do too and they thought Earthlings would be different.

Mario didn’t want his new friends to leave so he rediscovered some old toys, his sister’s toys, and more importantly, rediscovered his love of being outside and playing with others. Who could blame Mario for not wanting his new friends to leave? Wouldn’t you want to play with a giant, fuzzy kiwi, a cow/banana, and yellow ball of fluff with a snake attached to it?

There are so many things in the illustrations that keeps the attention of younger listeners and readers, and a great message for the older readers and listeners to make this a perfect book for any family. Maybe the listener/reader will agree with Mario that computers can be fun, but it’s nice to get away for a bit and find people to play with.

Thank you NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

[B.A. Malisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an updated review, because my original ARC was out of order, which disrupted my ability to read the story as intended. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the public relations manager for getting me a fresh copy of the story, with the pages in the correct order.

I like this so much better in the order it was intended (go figure)! This is a story about making new friends, being open to new experiences, and accepting differences. It also contains a message about how living your life can be more fun than playing on your computer/devices. There is a series of 5 questions at the end, to help open up easy discussions with early learners. I still think this is ideal for the 4-5 age range.

The artwork is cute, though the characters don’t always look the same from panel to panel. Since they are all so extremely different, it’s still always easy to tell them all apart. It would just have been nice to have a bit more consistency. I also can’t help wishing the aliens had better or stronger facial expressions, but they are reasonably cute. I also wish Mario wouldn’t stand backwards in so many panels, as he does have more facial expressions, though we often can’t see them.

Other than that, it’s a cute story. It would probably work well for a read aloud, and with a
storytime group, you could use that as an opportunity to discuss healthy use of devices, with both the children and parents.

[Paul Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tech-obsessed kid is on his computer as usual—like that’s a bad thing—when something outside grabs his attention. The title tells you the rest.
The artwork takes up most of the pages. The first few were difficult to comprehend, partly from the scale but mostly because of an almost abstract style.
It took the kid forever to think to run off, and stopped so abruptly when the aliens convinced him they were simply looking for new games. So yeah, he might be smart, but I think gullible’s a better word.
In retrospect, I can see why the aliens had such a visceral reaction to the computer, since it’s almost certain they have their own. Something’s gotta help them pilot their ship, after all. And if they thought computers were fun, they wouldn’t need to travel to look for it.
I very much doubt Mario will be satisfied with human kids as playmates after this night.
Pretty straightforward, but feel like something’s missing. Certainly okay for kids, but could have been better.

[Christine (Queen of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story about the fun kids can have when they turn away from the screen. Mario's locked into his computer when aliens arrive and want to play - but they aren't at all interested in his computer. He takes it upon himself to find other ways to entertain them.

I like where this book is going, but I can't help but wonder if it's appropriate for its audience - aren't 5-year-olds much more likely to be into TV than computers? I also have concerns about the leap from playing with aliens, to playing with human children. (While the aliens were eager for Mario to show them things, I'm not sure children always experience such a warm reception from each other.)

Overall, a nice story, and one adults can incorporate into a larger conversation regarding offline activity, exercise, and making friends.

(Thank you to NetGalley for the free e-galley for review)

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mario and the Aliens by Carolina Zanotti, illustrated by Tamypu. PICTURE BOOK. Happy Fox Books, 2019. $15. 9781641240277

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A young boy is playing on a computer when a spaceship lands on his lawn outside. The aliens ask to be entertained and are disappointed when the boy suggests video games, so he shows them how to play recess games. The aliens are thoroughly entertained until their mom calls them back home for dinner.

This narrative opens up a timely conversation about how we “play” and the effect electronics can have on our free time. The book even includes a set of questions to discuss at the end of the book.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Nicci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mario and The Aliens is a cute little book aimed at convincing kids that making new friends, spending time outdoors, and playing with toys is more fun than playing with computers/electronics all the time.

The story was amusing and the pictures were well done and I think younger kids will enjoy it. However, the book is targeted at 5-7-year-olds and while I certainly won't argue with it being perfectly suitable for a 5-year-old, it was a way too simple for my 7-year old. He read the book to me, he thought it was sweet but ultimately it was just too simple a read for him.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read, the more I enjoyed this book. As a reader, it made me think of the stories a mom would make up while at the bed of her child trying to lull them to dreamland. To me it does not read like a glossy picture book meant to have deeper meaning, etc. And that is what I loved about it. Plus the artwork just brings a smile to the face. The reader wants the story to keep going. It was a pleasure to read. However - DITCH the conversation starters for Parents. This is not needed! UGHHH
#LitsyAtoZchildrens

[Whitley Abell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was received as an e-galley from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With a space themed Summer Reading Club right around the corner, I was excited to dig into this book. The illustrations are exquisite and and the story is a sweet friendship tale kids and grown-ups alike will adore. Definitely better for readers who are a bit older though, since it's a bit long.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so cute. I love the characters and the drawings. The message of the story is good too. Kids are obsessed with screen time these days, and there are so many other things that can be done if you take time away.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book about putting down your electronics and going outside to find some friends to play with- even if those friends turn out to be from another planet!

[Lindsey Lawntea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mario and the Aliens is another "screen-free" picture book, about a boy who likes to play on his computer all day. When three aliens crash land to earth, they want to play and explore outside.

The message is a bit heavy-handed and the ending lesson is not "everything in moderation" but "outside only." I hate how these type of books have "all or nothing" thinking and never explain to kids that enjoying games and the internet is perfectly fine and that you don't have to change your interests completely to be healthy. Just one book where these kids learn that screen-time is really really fun, but also playing outside is really, really fun too and they learn to balance their activities.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mario and the Aliens is a cheerful children's book about the joys of making new friends and playing with them. The illustrations are colorful and imaginative, with the alien designs, in particular, being bright and whimsical. As with many children's stories, there is a meaningful moral lesson at the end of the book that children and their parents can discuss together. For parents that want a few starter questions, there are some prompts at the end of this book for potential discussion topics. Overall, this is a great read and I would highly recommend that parents pick it up to read with their children!