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A Field Guide to Aliens: Intergalactic Worrywarts, Bubblonauts, Sliver-Slurpers, and Other Extraterrestria
"A Field Guide to Aliens" is the first truly comprehensive guide to Earth's extraterrestrial visitors and includes profiles of more than twenty-five previously undocumented aliens. With this essential field guide, you'll: learn about each alien's origin, diet and distinguishing features; check out their cool tech gadgets (from lasersaws to slime grenades); get the most up-to-date information on alien sightings; see the undeniable evidence of aliens on our planet (from a giant club found in the countryside to an oddly familiar helmet and mask left in a living room; and, find out how you can become an alienologist, too. Have you ever noticed strange words spelled out in the night sky? Do you know which alien can't be alone? Are you sure that a Knutt has never played a prank on you? Find out all of that and more in this delightfully eerie collection of extraterrestrial lore.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 20, 2010
This is book getting 4 stars because it is a combination of 3 reviews...
My review would give this 3 stars - it's a very cute read, but not what I was hoping for. I thought it would be a better blend of "reality" and pure fantasy. But more of the "reality" were drawings done by kids. There were only a few Aliens that were based off any sort of historic painting or the like. It would spark the imagination of younger kids, which is never a bad thing. I also read a lot of the Spiderwick books - and this has a very similar feel - the whole idea of a pieced together journal. Still different, but it was tough to not compare this to those books, which, I found more enjoyable.
Now, my 13 year old boy gave it 4 stars. The book was way too young for him to enjoy, but he did say after looking through it for 10 minutes, "Aww, I wish I had this when I was a kid! It would have given me a reason to use my telescope!"
Lastly, the 8 year girl of the house would have given it 10 stars if possible - and this surprised me. This didn't strike me as her kind of book, but she had a blast! She actually has a whole notebook now of her own Alien creations. Later she ran up to me with her notebook and asked me, "How can I get 'Joe-Han Ollivander' to put these in his next book?" After trying to explain how a J can make a Y sound and also that his last name wasn't the same as the old wizard who sold wands, I told her this was a very good question. So, I guess I'll have to be sending Mr. Johan Olander an e-mail else I've never hear the end of it!
So, between the 3, 4 and 5 star ratings, we'll give it an even 4... Cute read for the right audience.
Disclaimer:
The copy of this book was provided free of charge through Goodreads First Reads.
My review would give this 3 stars - it's a very cute read, but not what I was hoping for. I thought it would be a better blend of "reality" and pure fantasy. But more of the "reality" were drawings done by kids. There were only a few Aliens that were based off any sort of historic painting or the like. It would spark the imagination of younger kids, which is never a bad thing. I also read a lot of the Spiderwick books - and this has a very similar feel - the whole idea of a pieced together journal. Still different, but it was tough to not compare this to those books, which, I found more enjoyable.
Now, my 13 year old boy gave it 4 stars. The book was way too young for him to enjoy, but he did say after looking through it for 10 minutes, "Aww, I wish I had this when I was a kid! It would have given me a reason to use my telescope!"
Lastly, the 8 year girl of the house would have given it 10 stars if possible - and this surprised me. This didn't strike me as her kind of book, but she had a blast! She actually has a whole notebook now of her own Alien creations. Later she ran up to me with her notebook and asked me, "How can I get 'Joe-Han Ollivander' to put these in his next book?" After trying to explain how a J can make a Y sound and also that his last name wasn't the same as the old wizard who sold wands, I told her this was a very good question. So, I guess I'll have to be sending Mr. Johan Olander an e-mail else I've never hear the end of it!
So, between the 3, 4 and 5 star ratings, we'll give it an even 4... Cute read for the right audience.
Disclaimer:
The copy of this book was provided free of charge through Goodreads First Reads.
April 21, 2015
"A Field Guide to Aliens" is the first truly comprehensive guide to Earth's extraterrestrial visitors and includes profiles of more than twenty-five previously undocumented aliens. With this essential field guide, you'll: learn about each alien's origin, diet and distinguishing features; check out their cool tech gadgets (from lasersaws to slime grenades); get the most up-to-date information on alien sightings; see the undeniable evidence of aliens on our planet (from a giant club found in the countryside to an oddly familiar helmet and mask left in a living room; and, find out how you can become an alienologist, too. Have you ever noticed strange words spelled out in the night sky? Do you know which alien can't be alone? Are you sure that a Knutt has never played a prank on you? Find out all of that and more in this delightfully eerie collection of extraterrestrial lore.
Even though aliens aren't really my thing and I'm not exactly the target age for this book I adored it! The design is very clever and set up like an actual field guide. Each page is laid out on graph paper and features a different alien. Each alien has a chart of information that includes it's name, origin, diet, distinguishing features, sitings on earth and technology. There is also a detailed colored illustration and a variety of sketches and photos "taped" onto the pages. The illusion of bent corners, coffee stains, smudges and tears add to the charm. And it's all done with a sense of humor. Children will enjoy the silliness and parents will appreciate fun references (Alien Disco aka Boogie-dood is from the planet Funk located in a disc-shaped galaxy called Studio 55).
Review:
While this was my first Johan Olander book it definitely won't be my last. This is a followup to A Field Guide to Monsters and An Eyeball in my Garden is coming in August. I'll be looking for both of them!
I was also lucky enough to receive amazing archival prints that I mentioned here.
Thank you to the author for a review copy of this book.
www.monstrology.com
www.marshallcavendish.us/kids
Even though aliens aren't really my thing and I'm not exactly the target age for this book I adored it! The design is very clever and set up like an actual field guide. Each page is laid out on graph paper and features a different alien. Each alien has a chart of information that includes it's name, origin, diet, distinguishing features, sitings on earth and technology. There is also a detailed colored illustration and a variety of sketches and photos "taped" onto the pages. The illusion of bent corners, coffee stains, smudges and tears add to the charm. And it's all done with a sense of humor. Children will enjoy the silliness and parents will appreciate fun references (Alien Disco aka Boogie-dood is from the planet Funk located in a disc-shaped galaxy called Studio 55).
Review:
While this was my first Johan Olander book it definitely won't be my last. This is a followup to A Field Guide to Monsters and An Eyeball in my Garden is coming in August. I'll be looking for both of them!
I was also lucky enough to receive amazing archival prints that I mentioned here.
Thank you to the author for a review copy of this book.
www.monstrology.com
www.marshallcavendish.us/kids
Read
August 8, 2019Large illustrations, clever names, and fun facts will keep kids turning the pages to learn more about aliens - some familiar, some brand new to them. Read more of the review here.
January 3, 2021
Just as I remember
I picked this book up when I was in Elementary school. It's still one of my favorites. I find this a very fantastic and fun book to look through even as an adult. Also very fun for kids. Awesome.
I picked this book up when I was in Elementary school. It's still one of my favorites. I find this a very fantastic and fun book to look through even as an adult. Also very fun for kids. Awesome.
April 27, 2013
A Field Guide to Aliens: Intergalactic Worrywarts, Bubblonauts, Sliver-Slurpers, and Other Extraterrestrials by Johan Olander is a fantastic illustrated book that gives kids descriptions and pictures of several common aliens.
I gave my daughter this book while she was sitting in a waiting room and she not only devoured it there (not needing anything else to distract her) but read it in the car to me. This picture book sized field guide is filled with pictures and descriptions with the addition of great difficult vocabulary words.
I would recommend this book to readers 9-12 (and younger advanced readers). It's a great buy for reluctant readers.
I gave my daughter this book while she was sitting in a waiting room and she not only devoured it there (not needing anything else to distract her) but read it in the car to me. This picture book sized field guide is filled with pictures and descriptions with the addition of great difficult vocabulary words.
I would recommend this book to readers 9-12 (and younger advanced readers). It's a great buy for reluctant readers.
Read
January 6, 2011src 2011
fav alien: falsae santa
fav alien: falsae santa
January 10, 2017
A very cute and amusing book. I was highly entertained throughout the entire book.
January 28, 2016
Asher (7yo) read. Delightful and fanciful book on all matter of aliens.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews