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Company's Coming
Meet Shirley and Moe. Just a regular couple from Bellmore. Today, all they are expecting is a nice, quiet dinner with a few cousins. But what do they get? Spacemen! From outer space! They don't know it yet, but with a touch of human (and alien) kindness and a heaping bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, the galaxy is about to get a little bit smaller.
Originally published to critical acclaim in 1988, this updated version features a new, larger trim and color enhancement by the artist. Ages 5-9
Originally published to critical acclaim in 1988, this updated version features a new, larger trim and color enhancement by the artist. Ages 5-9
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
4 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Yorinks
79 books29 followersArthur Yorinks is a playwright, director, and author of more than thirty-five picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal–winning Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski. His most recent picture book is Presto and Zesto in Limboland, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Arthur Yorinks lives in Cambridge, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 18, 2015
Guess who's coming to dinner?
Shirley and Moe extend a friendly invite to two visiting aliens who then create something of an international incident when they come bearing a surprise gift.
Like Shirley's big red glasses, this is pretty doggone cute!
Shirley and Moe extend a friendly invite to two visiting aliens who then create something of an international incident when they come bearing a surprise gift.
Like Shirley's big red glasses, this is pretty doggone cute!
January 15, 2016
I really liked this hilarious book but think it's more for adults than for young kids.
March 16, 2010
This is just too fun! I love the cute bug-like aliens who bring a gift to dinner.
My favorite lines:
Moe, when speaking of the flying saucer: "Shirl, it's not a barbecue."
Aliens: "Greetings. We come in peace. Do you have a bathroom?"
My favorite lines:
Moe, when speaking of the flying saucer: "Shirl, it's not a barbecue."
Aliens: "Greetings. We come in peace. Do you have a bathroom?"
November 25, 2024
This book is so cute! From the man standing in his yard when the UFO lands and his wife thinks it's his new grill to the lady who keeps fainting to many people crowded in the home eating dinner - soup to nuts.
My students were so enthralled with this book - laughing, shouting "No way!", making ewww noises. I read this as a representation of the 000s in the Dewey Decimal system - if it were true, that's where the book would go! It also lead to a great discussion about people believing or not believing in aliens, Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, etc.
My students were so enthralled with this book - laughing, shouting "No way!", making ewww noises. I read this as a representation of the 000s in the Dewey Decimal system - if it were true, that's where the book would go! It also lead to a great discussion about people believing or not believing in aliens, Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, etc.
July 16, 2012
It was the quiet, normal suburban neighborhood where Moe and Shirley were preparing to host a quiet family spaghetti dinner when....
Aliens drop in on their way to another galaxy and ask to use the bathroom. Shirley is polite to these new guests inviting them to dinner and then calmly offering drinks and appetizers once they arrive to dine. Moe, on the other hand, calls the FBI and has the house surrounded by all sorts of big military tanks and guns. There is humor in the text as well as the wonderful illustrations - very popular with my story time audience.
Aliens drop in on their way to another galaxy and ask to use the bathroom. Shirley is polite to these new guests inviting them to dinner and then calmly offering drinks and appetizers once they arrive to dine. Moe, on the other hand, calls the FBI and has the house surrounded by all sorts of big military tanks and guns. There is humor in the text as well as the wonderful illustrations - very popular with my story time audience.
November 27, 2012
I really enjoyed this book and i think children would enjoy it even more. The illustrations are really descriptive and help tell the story. It is a funny story about a husband and wife that have different reactions to aliens landing and asking to use their restroom.
April 30, 2017
Love it! Science fiction picture books are rare, although becoming less so. The pictures make this one. The sequel, Company's Going, isn't nearly as good.
March 2, 2018
Mysterious package? Guns? Xenophobia? Interesting choice to reissue this in today's context.
November 27, 2019
Summary: While Moe and Shirley are preparing for a family dinner, they get some unexpected visitors from outer space. Shirley decides that the outer-space visitors don't pose any harm, and invites them to the feast. When the family has gathered for dinner, all they can do is worry and wonder about these outer-space guests.
Review: This book is not only cute but hilarious! I love the idea of aliens coming over for a family dinner. I also like that this book teaches children not to judge someone before you know them. I think children would enjoy all the chaos that breaks out because of these little aliens, but in the end, they are just like us.
Pair: I would pair the book, "Company's Coming," with the sequel, "Company's Going," by the same author. I think children would like to find out what happens after the family dinner. In the sequel, it is Moe and Shirley, who are the guests at an outer-space wedding. Just like in the first one, "Company's Going," teaches children a valuable life lesson in a fun way.
Quote: When Moe is upset about the outer-space visitor, Shirley tells him, "Stay calm, be polite, maybe we can make friends with them." I think this quote would resonate with children because it is something that they have all heard before. Although someone may seem different than us, we must always give them a chance.
Review: This book is not only cute but hilarious! I love the idea of aliens coming over for a family dinner. I also like that this book teaches children not to judge someone before you know them. I think children would enjoy all the chaos that breaks out because of these little aliens, but in the end, they are just like us.
Pair: I would pair the book, "Company's Coming," with the sequel, "Company's Going," by the same author. I think children would like to find out what happens after the family dinner. In the sequel, it is Moe and Shirley, who are the guests at an outer-space wedding. Just like in the first one, "Company's Going," teaches children a valuable life lesson in a fun way.
Quote: When Moe is upset about the outer-space visitor, Shirley tells him, "Stay calm, be polite, maybe we can make friends with them." I think this quote would resonate with children because it is something that they have all heard before. Although someone may seem different than us, we must always give them a chance.
June 4, 2018
What do you do when a spaceship lands in your backyard and the aliens within...want to use the restroom? *blink blink* Why, you let them of course and then invite them back for dinner, or at least that's what Shirley does despite the trepidation her husband, Moe, feels towards the whole situation. I mean, geesh Moe, where are your manners? (LOL!) What happens next involves some people in pretty high places and a whole lot of spaghetti, but that's for you to discover. What I will say is that this unusual little book does a good job of reminding us to seek the good in everyone and always be kind...you can't judge a book by its cover, nor an alien by their accessories!
**copy received for review
**copy received for review
June 12, 2018
Yorinks, Arthur Company's Coming, illustrated by David Small, 32 pages. PICTURE BOOK Disney (Hyperion), 2018. (Originally published 1988) $17.
EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
Moe and Shirley have invited all of her relatives for dinner, but when a spaceship lands and Shirl invites them for dinner, too, the Government gets involved.
This was so nostalgic! A great throwback to the 50's and the alien scare - but what if they're friendly? David Small's illustrations are fantastic - the relatives all have their own personalities-and I think he may have used my family as models because - my grandpa!
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
Moe and Shirley have invited all of her relatives for dinner, but when a spaceship lands and Shirl invites them for dinner, too, the Government gets involved.
This was so nostalgic! A great throwback to the 50's and the alien scare - but what if they're friendly? David Small's illustrations are fantastic - the relatives all have their own personalities-and I think he may have used my family as models because - my grandpa!
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
April 17, 2019
Company’s Coming is coming is a story about aliens that come to earth and their ship falls in the backyard of Shirley and Moe, and their dinner party. They are welcoming to the aliens and they see them as company after their shock. Then the military and FBI show up, the aliens have to show that they are not harmful and that they are just there to eat, and the aliens make a new favorite foods like spaghetti. This book is great for elementary libraries, the story is a funny comedy. I do not see any teaching elements in this book but it would be great for engaging students who like to think about aliens and fantasy. Any book that can interest students is a good book to have in the classroom.
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November 30, 20201. No awards
2. Kindergarten-1st grade
3. This book starts off with a UFO landing in Shirly and Moe's back yard, the little aliens stopped just to see if they could use their bathroom, Shirly offered them dinner later that night. Moe was paranoid and called the military and they came to see what the aliens were about. Shirly stayed calm and nice throughout their visit and in the end everyone learned not to judge a book by its cover.
4. I think this book was really cute. It is great for teaching students to be kind to one another and also to get them to think about creative writing.
5. I would use this book as an example of being kind. I would read the book to the class during circle time and then have them go off and write or draw about a time when they were kind.
2. Kindergarten-1st grade
3. This book starts off with a UFO landing in Shirly and Moe's back yard, the little aliens stopped just to see if they could use their bathroom, Shirly offered them dinner later that night. Moe was paranoid and called the military and they came to see what the aliens were about. Shirly stayed calm and nice throughout their visit and in the end everyone learned not to judge a book by its cover.
4. I think this book was really cute. It is great for teaching students to be kind to one another and also to get them to think about creative writing.
5. I would use this book as an example of being kind. I would read the book to the class during circle time and then have them go off and write or draw about a time when they were kind.
June 10, 2018
Moe and Shirley have invited all of her relatives for dinner, but when a spaceship lands and Shirl invites them for dinner, too, the Government gets involved.
This was so nostalgic! A great throwback to the 50's and the alien scare - but what if they're friendly? David Small's illustrations are fantastic - the relatives all have their own personalities-and I think he may have used my family as models because - my grandpa!
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
This was so nostalgic! A great throwback to the 50's and the alien scare - but what if they're friendly? David Small's illustrations are fantastic - the relatives all have their own personalities-and I think he may have used my family as models because - my grandpa!
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
November 27, 2019
I loved this! As Moe is working outside the aliens land next to his shed. Although he is scared of the aliens, his wife invites them to eat dinner with the family. The aliens say they will return at 6. In the meantime, Moe calls the FBI. When the aliens finally come back, they bring the couple a present. Everyone in the family can not begin to imagine what is inside the box. As the army and police gather around, it is simply a blender. This book shows compassion for people who are not like us.
November 12, 2020
This is a pretty cute book that will make both students and adults laugh. The whole book is funny and entertaining for all. The aliens look like little bugs and would not 'scare' any children. I would say this would be a good, fun read aloud book. Most likely to be read when everyone is packing up their bags waiting for the bell for dismissal. The reading nook bookshelf is another place to place this book for students to enjoy on their own time.
June 8, 2018
Shirley and Moe from Bellmore have invited a few of their cousins over for a nice dinner. When unexpected spacemen show up, Shirley invites them inside their home. Moe panics and calls the FBI. The aliens give Shirley and Moe a large box, and everyone wonders what it could be. Nerves are rattled and then settled as everyone enjoys a nice spaghetti and meatball dinner.
January 28, 2019
An elderly man and woman inexplicably find themselves hosting some space men for dinner. The government, of course, tries to get involved, but showing some kindness and hospitality goes a long way. Especially like the hostess gift the aliens brought when they came to dinner.
Illustrations are good.
Illustrations are good.
June 29, 2019
Shirley and Moe receive unexpected company from aliens. They are nervous and call up reinforcements, but they little aliens are friendly. The story was okay. The appreciated the watercolor illustrations.
November 20, 2019
5 stars Copyright 2018. Genre Science Fiction. Theme prejudice. Favorite part is when the aliens gift the couple a blender. An elderly couple is visited by martians who just want to enjoy some dinner! Has a positive message about not judging people by their looks.
December 23, 2017
Primo fun for storytime.
February 12, 2018
This reissue would pair well with Jon Agee's Life on Mars for a great, well-rounded lesson on perspective both visually and narratively. Good fun!
February 13, 2018
This book is so fun! Thankful to Disney for sending us a copy in exchange for an honest review so I could share some giggles with my kiddos! Yay for a truly funny kids' book!
February 16, 2018
Alissa's first science fiction story.
April 9, 2018
adorable book about not judging aliens by their spaceships
May 31, 2018
Lots of laughs in this book! I enjoy the absurdity of the small talk between the family and the aliens. The climactic ending is sure to have kids and adults laughing out-loud.
July 11, 2018
What a hoot! Loved this quirky book!
July 15, 2018
Really cute story of a couple who has space travelers drop in.
April 26, 2019
Cracked me right up.
March 3, 2020
Started off strong. So much potential!
But it ended before it really had a chance to fulfill that potential.
But it ended before it really had a chance to fulfill that potential.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews