Review by Booklist Review
Do you believe in aliens? What if you found out they were part of your family? Laínez (My Shoes and I, 2010) presents a story about immigration with a new twist. In this bilingual picture book, Sofia accidentally finds her mamá's resident alien card and is convinced her mother is from outer space. Sofia begins to wonder if this means that she is an alien, too, and sets out on a journey to figure it out. Through Sofia's innocence, Laínez provides further insight into the very complicated U.S. naturalization process. This heartfelt and humorous story is perfect for primary-school readers, as well as a useful way for parents or educators to introduce the topic of immigration. An author's note further explains the meaning of resident alien and will help readers understand the humor behind Sofia's misunderstanding. Acrylic-and-collage illustrations in cheery saturated tones showcase Sofia's wild imaginings and the story's joyful conclusion. For a similar tale, consider Amada Irma Pérez's My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aqui hasta allá (2003).--Rodriguez, Sonia Alejandra Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this bilingual tale, Sofía's mother, a U.S. resident, isn't the extraterrestrial kind of alien; rather, she's from an unspecified Spanish-speaking country and has a residence card that reads "ALIEN" at the top. While Laínez's attempt to make comedy of Sofía's misunderstanding is sometimes overwrought ("I saw Mamá's shadow on the wall. She stretched out her arms.... I found the courage to switch on the light"), the portrayal of a family member on a journey toward U.S. citizenship is a crucial story, especially for readers whose citizenship has never been called into question. Younger readers may not know that non-citizens are referred to as aliens, or that the children of non-citizens wrestle with unexpected questions: "Mamá was an alien. Papá didn't have a card, so he was not an alien. That meant I was half alien," Sofía reasons. By devoting more narrative energy to the idea that Sofía's Mamá comes from outer space, Laínez (¡Vámanos! Let's Go!) keeps the story from turning sanctimonious or didactic. In warmly colored paintings, Lacámara (Dalia's Wondrous Hair/El cabello maravilloso de Dalia) matches stylized, folk art-style humans with droll alien figures that feature a variety of arms, legs, antennae, and tentacles. Ages 6-9. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Young Sofia finds her mother's alien resident card, and her mother confirms the truth: she is an alien. Sofia's imagination runs wild with questions. Does her mother visit her alien friends at night? Does her mother speak three languages-English, Spanish, and Alien? Is Sofia an alien, too? This is a very lighthearted and simple story about residency in the United States, particularly for Hispanics. The plot is playful and typical of a child's interpretation of the situation. What the story lacks is the explanation of why Sofia's mom has to apply for residency and, later, citizenship. Sofia's parents are vague about the card's meaning and give very little explanation to their daughter, who understands without further questions. Hopefully, parents who want to address this topic will have a more detailed discussion with their own children while reading this book. Also, Sofia's suspect "research" about aliens at the library, which results in confirmation that aliens have antennae and four fingers on each hand, might confuse literal-minded young readers. Overall, the pictures are pleasant-looking, the subject is important to address with young children, and the story makes for very easy reading in both languages. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries looking to expand their bilingual offerings and titles on immigration.-Jessica Espejel, New York Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When Sofma finds a card in her mother's purse that says "ALIEN," she is shocked. Did her mother really come from outer space? The unique premise successfully addresses the absurdity of how immigrants are labeled. English and Spanish texts make the story accessible in both languages, and Lacamara's colorful illustrations, which incorporate round-headed, friendly aliens, keep the conceit silly. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young Latina is convinced her mother is an alien from another planet. While playing basketball, Sofa accidently knocks over Mam's purse, spilling out its contents, including a card with Mam's name and, in big, blue letters, the word "ALIEN" (or "extraterrestre"). After confirming that the card is indeed real and asking her parents additional questions, Sofa is sure that Mam is an extraterrestrialfrom outer spaceand so her vivid imagination and desire to better understand take her to the library to research aliens. She cannot understand, however, why Mam looks so humanlike. One especially effective double-page spread portrays Mam's silhouette, hair in curlers and wearing a robe, the beam of an open fridge door casting an elongated shadow on the kitchen wall. Lacmara's fine, vibrant acrylic-and-collage illustrations dress the story in wonder and humor between colorful, golden kitchen scenes and deep, opaque extraterrestrial homages. Lacmara's subtle indicator that Mam is a Salvadoran immigrant is by way of a thought bubble in which she stands on the map outline of El Salvador. Colato Lanez offers readers the text in both English and Spanish side by side or above and below, neatly laid out with its corresponding illustrations and folding in a primer on the immigration process besides. A delightful, original, clever, purposeful, multicultural alien tale. (glossary with pronunciation, author's note) (Bilingual picture book. 6-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
