An Alien In My House

by Shenaaz Nanji

This imaginative full-color picture book will delight readers aged eight and under as it explores the problems that different generations have in understanding each other. As Ben and the Alien learn more about each other, they discover that they have more in common than they ever would have thought.

One day young Ben tells his friends that there is an alien living in his house. Who knows where he's from -- "Mars, stars, space" -- the point is that "His face is covered with bike tracks. His body comes apart like Lego. He pulls out his teeth and says 'my pearlies.' He pulls off his hair and says 'my rug.' He walks on three legs, rat-a-tap-tap."

That very same day the "alien" tells his friends that he has moved into a monster's house. Who knows where he's from -- "Park, jungle, zoo" -- the point is, "His face is as smooth as butter. His body is stretchy like rubber. He twists into every letter of the alphabet. He even walks on his hands."

Each regales his audience with the foibles of the other, but slowly, inexorably the two become inhabitants of the same planet, as well as the same house, even kindred spirits -- which is just as well since they are grandfather and grandson. What the text can't tell us, McLeod's illustrations do -- warts and all.
- Susan Perren, The Globe and Mail (January 17, 2004)