Tomatoes from Mars

by Arthur Yorinks, Mort Drucker (Illustrator)

They came from outer space. They were . . .
Tomatoes from Mars!
When these vicious Martian fruits invade Earth and threaten to cover it in sauce, the whole world looks to one man, one genius--Dr. Schtickle--to save it from becoming the second red planet. Dr. Schtickle . . . Help !!!! 00 Children's Choices (IRA/CBC)

Genres: Picture Books, Science Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Arthur 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.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty darn funny, if you like the surreal humor of picture-books for all ages like, for example, Tuesday. Available on openlibrary.

[Lana Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Schtickle has to save the planet from becoming the second red planet when tomatoes from Mars hit threaten to cover the earth.
The illustrationsm in this book are very amusing! The illustrator does a wonderful job of capturing what the people are feeling as they defend the human race from the crashing tomatoes. Children in kindergarten will find this story to be hilarious. I would read this story to my class and have them draw what they see in their mind. Then, I would re-read the story and show them the illustrations.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library copy.
Drawn by my favorite cartoonist Mort Drucker. This book is more visual compared to Whitefish Will, but I don't think the narrative is quite as strong. What this one has going for it are the obvious real-life based caricatures. Giant tomatoes are attacking the planet and only a scientist who looks like Albert Einstein can come up with a solution. The President appears to look like Robert Dole or Jason Robards. I think it's more of the latter than former, however. On one page it looks like Tricky Dick and Ford make a cameo. In terms of the text/prose, overall, I don't think this book would be a as challenging to young readers as Whitefish Will.

[Gordon Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomatoes from Mars is a great book. Its funny, sci-fi twist is completely age appropriate. This is a story where tomatoes from space begin terrorizing earth, until a niece and an uncle come up with a plan to save the day. The illustrations are hilarious in this book and it is just a humorous and lighthearted topic overall. Both children and adults will get a kick out of this book.

[Kelsey Ruggirello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would definitely suggest this book for elementary students, so cute!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

7-year-old's review: This book was funny. I would read it again. Everyone should read it.

[Katelyn Dauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tomatoes From Mars by Arthur Yorinks is a silly twist on a classic scifi of when Aliens attack Earth. In this story the aliens are giant tomatoes invading from planet Mars. The tomatoes begin painting the city red with a tomato sauce consistency. The president, scientists, and all forms of the military are working together to find out how to make these unwelcome guests leave and go back to their own planet.
The story sounds like it would be a really silly fun kids story, but its lacking a little bit in the story line. It could have used a little bit more of humor in the story. Its very serious for a not so serious plot. Funny concept but i'm not sure how well it would hold a child's attention.

[Gabrielle Rullamas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing sci-fi type book. The illustration are funny for both kids and adults! Space tomatoes threaten to cover the earth what are we going to do! I love how fun this book is with its outrageous story and fun use of science and the main characters that look like Albert Einstein. Everyone else looks like carton drawings you would see being done in any tourist area. How could you not get a few laughs out of the book? They story line was fairly simplistic but good never the less. Reminded me of Cloudy with a chance of Meat balls. I would recommend this book for any readers its sure to grab their attention.

[Kelly Sommers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable. I loved all the cute pictures and fun colors. It is about these vicious Martian fruits that invade the Earth. It threatens to cover it in sauce. The whole world looks to one man Dr. Schtickle. He was the one who had to save them from their whole world turning into a big red ball. This book would be very fun to read in a 1st grade classroom. There are so many actives that could be done with the story line.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly and humorous tale about giant tomatoes that invade from mars. The narrative is filled with shlocky dialogue and the illustrations have fantastic characters that resemble actual people.

I mentioned that I thought this was an allegory for the sheer amount of tomatoes that a single plant can produce, which often has an overwhelming effect, especially if they all come ripe at one time. Overall, it was a fun book to read aloud and we enjoyed reading it together.

[Katie Nanney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book reminded me of goofy, old fashioned horror movies that are so comically bad, they're hilarious. The idea that tomatoes come from Mars and THAT'S the reason why the planet is red and that they can be giant, attacking martians was really funny. I could see this book being used in a classroom for a funny read aloud and to practice predicting or inspiration for the kids to write their own science fiction story.

[Alison Durbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story humorous, and I could not stop thinking about the film, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". This also reminded me a little of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". I also loved the caricature style drawing that was done with the illustrations. I could not help but wonder though if the scientist was intentionally made to look like Einstein or not. I think children would love this book, and I think it would be a good book to have in my classroom library.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me a lot about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which obviously it would because it is supposed to be the sequel to it. I think kids would really enjoy this book because it's something that would never happen in real life, but what kid wouldn't like food falling from the sky (maybe not tomatoes, but ice cream they would). I also thought the illustrations were lively and fun, really engaging you into the story.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomatoes are invading Earth and it is up to Dr. Schtickle to come up with a solution before the whole world is stained red. This book would be a good introduction to science fiction for younger children. However, I thought the narrative was lacking a bit. The artwork is very entertaining, you'll probably even recognize a few faces!

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of giant tomatoes from Mars invading the earth, in the tone of a Science Fiction B-Movie ("They came from out space..."). My four-year-old loves this book so much that we've checked it out of the library twice.

[Christine Levinge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so random and hilarious. It's about an invasion of tomatoes taking over Minneapolis. They finally stop the tomatoes by spritzing them with salad dressing! Haha, this had me laughing the whole time.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about how know one believes this doctor's theory that martian tomatoes from Mars will come and try and take over But when it does happen everyone look sto him as the only hope to saving Earth.

[Mikailah Shackleford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very humoirous science fiction book to give children to read for fun when they have nothing else to do. It is about martian tomatoes from Mars trying to take over the world. The illustrations are very descriptive and help create a very good picture for the reader.

[Bekkah Riecke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would use this book as a read aloud while talking about different types of plants. It could also be used as a comparison piece with a non-fiction text about vegetables when talking about fiction and non fiction texts.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomatoes are coming from Mars, and Dr. Shtickle must find out how to stop them. This reminded me of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Since Mars is a red planet, the tomatoes could only be from there. Will Dr. Shtickle be able to stop the tomatoes before they ruin everything?

[Megan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomatoes have invaded Earth. Dr. Shtickle saves the day by spraying olive oil and redwine vinegar on the tomatoes and they retreat back to Mars. This would be a good book to have for they students that are into science fiction.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun use of scientific method to deal with space invasion.
Fun to read once, I wouldn't read it again.

[Hanad]

hi

[Illey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The illustrations work wonders for both adults and children. There is a wide range of vocabulary that is appropriate for all ages. I would highly recommended this book.

[Gianni Llano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomatoes from Mars have invaded the Earth! With such great illustrations and storyline no child would regret picking up this book.

[Hollee Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a fun book to read. It had bright and colorful illustrations throughout the text. I think this would be a fun book for a read aloud.

[Andrea Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny story about tomatoes invading planet earth. I laughed and loved the ridiculous imagery and I am sure kids would too!