Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In Schroeder's debut, something red and round bounces into a garden, and the vegetables convince themselves that it's an alien tomato. After some initial misgivings ("Will it zap us with lasers?" worries Reggie, a carrot), the vegetables embrace the newly christened "Allie" with wide-eyed enthusiasm; they explain away the alien's silence ("It probably doesn't speak our language") and fete it with crumpets, tea, and a special crown. But there's one naysayer in this bushel: a gopher, whose absolute certainty about Allie's origins ("It can't talk... because IT'S JUST... A RED BALL!") is coupled with garden-variety resentment ("Nobody ever held a party for ME"). Digital vignettes by Engell (Matzah Belowstairs) have the bounce and drive of an animated cartoon sketch, capturing both the gopher's frustration and an entire spectrum of goofy plant-based earnestness, from a worried broccoli to a trio of cooperative peas. But it turns out that the vegetables' welcoming instincts are right; just when the gopher thinks he's gotten them back, he gets a comeuppance that's out of this world. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Christa Heschke, McIntosh & Otis. Illustrator's agent: Alex Gehringer, Bright Agency. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Peaceful life in a garden is upended when a mysterious red ball suddenly arrives. The vegetables eagerly welcome their new friend, while a grumpy gopher resents the warm reception. Refusing to believe the new visitor is, as the vegetables think, an alien tomato, he abducts the red ball--and is gleefully abducted in return in a surprise twist ending. Vivid, large-scale illustrations complement the story's lighthearted and humorous tone. With only a few sentences per page and peppy dialogue that invites audience interaction, this book makes for a lively storytime read. It is sure to entertain young readers, while encouraging a valuable discussion on kindness. VERDICT This welcome addition to picture book collections is likely to become a read-aloud favorite for preschool and lower elementary school audiences.--Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Veggies aren't just good for you: They know stuff, too. Take the garden denizens who believe the strange red orb that lands among them is an alien tomato! A resident gopher thinks differently and tries vainly to change their minds. The vegetables wonder how to deal with the newcomer--is it dangerous?--and decide to be friendly and welcoming. Allie, the name they give the visitor, doesn't respond. The gopher knows why, shouting with exasperation: "It's just a red ball!" The veggies ignore the gopher and throw a party, giving Allie a crown. Under cover of night, the jealous rodent secretes Allie in its underground lair and hides the crown. The bewildered vegetables can only conclude Allie returned to her planet. Meanwhile, the gopher covertly plays with the "red ball" until…the final satisfying twist awards the gopher a comeuppance and proves the veggies right. This comical tale will captivate readers with its animated protagonists and surprising ending. The veggies zing with lively personalities and expressiveness, conveyed in both cartoon faces and speech bubbles, and the mammalian buttinski is a know-it-all hoot. The adorable illustrations of plant foods--broccoli, asparagus, peas, radishes, carrots, beans, and others--may encourage even greens-averse kids to think of them more positively (and, perhaps, try them). Allie is equally fun in "her" stolidity and in pulling off that who-would-have-guessed-it feat. Young readers will never think about vegetables the same way again. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
