The X-Files: Earth Children are Weird

by Jason Rekulak, Kim Smith (Illustrator)

One the most beloved TV shows of all time is now a sweet, silly, sci-fi bedtime story! In The X Files: Earth Children Are Weird, best pals Dana (Scully) and Fox (Mulder) have pitched a tent in the backyard for a sleepover. But the night is full of strange sounds, lights, and shadows. Surely there’s a rational, scientific explanation for everything . . . or is there? With beautiful illustrations of pint-sized Dana and Fox, this humorous and not-scary-at-all story will introduce the cult TV show to an entire new generation of fans.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science Fiction, Aliens, Fiction, Humor, Pop Culture

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2017

About the author

I'm the author of three novels: HIDDEN PICTURES, THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTRESS, and (coming in October 2024!) THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING. For many years I was Publisher of Quirk Books, an indie press headquartered in Philadelphia, where I ghost-wrote many odd books that may or may not surface on this page, depending on the metadata. I live in West Philly with my wife and children.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen all of the X-Files episodes at least once, so when I saw this at the library, I picked it up right away. X-Files for the next generation! Featuring a young Fox and Dana, camping in the back yard, Fox seeing every shadow as evidence of aliens, Dana (who is really a stand-in for most of us) continually skeptical, though as with any X-Files, the important thing is to convince her and us Fox is actually right! I liked the story pretty well, and the ending is cute.

The artwork by Smith is okay, but here's the thing that really irritates me about this publisher, Quirk Books: JASON REKULAK is the author, who did the story and dialogue, and you have to look through the fine print for his name! And even above, on Goodreads, Chris Carter is given credit for having created X-Files, which is appropriate, but if a company is going to hire an author (I say this as an author), credit him with the writing, which is actually better than the artwork. Hmmph.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this was adorableeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, but that's kind of about it.

BABY MULDER AND BABY SCULLY ARE JUST SO CUTE AND BABY ALIENS TOO AND I JUST CAN'T DEAL WITH ALL OF THE CUTENESS. JUST AGRNIAWHNEKJNDFRKLASZNGRKJEAL. Mulder's little alien pin? ADORABLE. The little X-Files books? ADORABLE. Just everything was so pleasing.

My biggest complaint was that I didn't understand the point of the book. Usually children's books are pulled together by a big moral or, well, a point, but I'm just really confused by what the point was of this novel? Yes, it was adorable and fun and had just fantastic things in it for true X-Files fans, but there really was no reason for things happening besides you just being a fan of X-Files.

Overall, it was just a quick, fun read that is fun for any X-Files fan. However, there really isn't too much in it besides some gorgeous artwork and some slight throwback fun. There's not really a clear plot or moral/idea that brought the end of the story together like a good children's book would. Three crowns and a Belle rating!

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I guess I really do have a wild imagination... I'm sorry I got carried away."
"That's okay, Fox. You're still my best friend."

I have only just recently started X Files and I am now completely obsessed. I am watching and reading everything to do with it. This is such a cute read and can introduce Mulder and Scully to whole new generation. However this time they are kids. The pair are currently camping in the garden telling tales of aliens and on the hope they will spot one- well more Mulder than Scully. At least in this case Mulder was right.

It would have been nice to have hidden references from the show- more for adult readers/fans.

"Earth children are weird."

[L.L. Gappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I guess I really do have a wild imagination... I'm sorry I got carried away."

"That's okay, Fox. You're still my best friend."

MY HEART! 😩❤️😭🙌🏻




This is one of the cutest kids books I've read in ages. The illustrations are adorable and it can definitely be enjoyed by kids (and adults) who have never seen the X files.

And those adults who do love the X files will be thrilled to have this book to introduce their kids to Mulder and Scully (Fox and Dana) in a way that is very mild in the spooky department.

[Dreximgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super short kids book but it was very cute and the art style was nice. A nice little thing for any x files fan to read.

[Stefan Garland]

Spooky time!

[Cassie Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO CUTE, omg.

[معصومه توکلی]

عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: فرازمینی‌ها
(پرونده‌های مجهول)

همچنان «وقتی نشر پرتقال حتی در این حد به خودش زحمت نمی‌دهد که اسم نویسنده را درست بنویسد!»

[Lacey Louwagie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute introduction for wee ones to one of the best duos in TV history. The artwork is fun, as is the whole story being told in characteristic dialogue between Dana and Fox. The ending is weirdly creepy, though, and I couldn't tell if that was intentional or not ...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. Let me try to set up the scene here…I’m walking around my bookstore (aka home away from home) when I spotted it. It!!! The X-Files in picture book form! *cue up the theme music* My jaw dropped at first contact. I was shocked speechless and silly! Haha…I honestly just stood there staring at the cover for a full minute before my slow, o-my-goodness-this-is-so-coming-home-with-me smile spread across my face. I scooped it up and bolted for the checkout. This gem had to be read ASAP!

Best friends Fox and Dana are having a sleepover. They’re set up in the backyard with a tent, a big bowl of popcorn, flashlights, and a pile of books that prompt the question—Do aliens exist? Reading and questions soon turns to adventure though. The adorable pint size duo sets out to investigate giant footprints, scary shadows, and eerie noises with their ever present flashlight at the ready. You’ve got to see what they find in the dark?

If you are an X-Files fan, this is a MUST read. I’m a huge Mulder and Scully fan, so this was precious. We see Dana bravely leading the way to the truth, the what, and the why alongside Fox’s “I Want to Believe” imagination once again. I can’t even explain the little extra hop in my step once this book was in my possession. From the glowing green spine to the smile inducing surprise at the end, my “The Truth Is Out There” heart was over the moon happy!

Just look at the tiny Fox and Dana!!! Haha….The hair on Fox is perfect. I love that this book exists. Out there for kids to find and explore. Perhaps it will inspire young readers to look to the stars and learn more….or kickstart the next generation of sci-fi fans.

An adorable read with one of my favorite combinations—Mulder, Scully, and aliens—oh my! :D

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of books all illustrated by Kim Smith. Each page looks like a tapestry of art - they are beautiful with gorgeous color. The story line was adorable, and definitely resembled the relationship between Mulder and Scully. I chuckled at times, and honestly, the ending would have terrified me as a child, which is exactly what X-Files has always done.

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been an avid fan of The X-Files for so many years, and this is an adorable way to share the series with even the teeniest fans!

[romancelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO freaking cute!!!!!! Tiny Mulder and Scully 🥺 The ending is weird, but then again, this is the X Files 😂

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was toooo cute !!!! I never finished the series but this would be a great way to get a kid to get into the show when they get older

[Chris Blocker]

Earth Children Are Weird is such a missed opportunity. It's a really cute idea to make a children's book out of The X-Files' Mulder and Scully. As a stand-alone, it's not an exceptional story, but it certainly works as well as most children's picture books. There are the colorful illustrations, the obstacle, the happy result, and the humorous twist. The problem herein lies that other than being named Dana and Fox, other than the theme of aliens, there is nothing about this book that caters to fans of the series. This was an opportunity to place all kinds of easter eggs for fans to discover. Isn't that who this book was written for? The fans? If not, I don't see the point. Yet the clock in the background does not point to 10:13. There are no pencils in the ceiling. The dog is not named anything from Moby-Dick. *sigh* This is something to read out of curiosity if you're a fan, but like season 10, you'll be fine pretending it never happened.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never seen The X Files television show on which this picture book is based, but this story is not unique in any way. When two friends camp out in the backyard, one of them believes every shadow and noise is a sign of an alien invasion, while the other kid insists there is a logical explanation for everything they see and hear. I'm not sure why it was necessary to use the television characters for this story; it feels to me like these could be any two friends. The ending, while a surprise, is completely implausible.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, I write this as an adult fan of the series and with the understanding that while it's a picture book ... I wouldn't actually read it to young kids. MAYBE forth or fifth graders? They wouldn't "get" the Fox or Dana references but they could certainly see the humor in the aliens.

But not a picture book for the usual picture book crowd.

I love the illustrations.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT'S AN X-FILES PICTURE BOOK!

I might be freaking out a little bit. It was really cute, but I think the ending is a bit weird and might be confusing for kids. I still love it, though. It's an X-Files picture book!!!!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

started my October with this little guy and it was an adorable read!
A young Dana and Scully having adventures in the backyard can either give your little ones their own adventure or the possibility to think about what's out there and believe!

[Monique the Book Geek]

Based on the X-Files TV series I loved as a kid in the 1990s, this is a cute and nostalgic read.

[Dana Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a giant X-Phile, so when I saw this somewhere (I think it was Amazon?) I had to get it. It looked so adorable. I haven't been able to read the actual books based on the show for some reason, but this was too good.

The premise of the show, The X-Files, follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they travel around the United States investigating strange and unusual cases, typically involving the supernatural, paranormal, science fiction, and monsters. Mulder believes in extraterrestrial life since the disappearance/abduction of his younger sister, Samantha. He believes the government knows of extraterrestrial life on Earth, specifically a fictional group called the Syndicate, to which his father was a part of.
Scully is a medical doctor and a scientist, and she gives facts in the face of questionable circumstances. She analyzes everything through scientific deduction, performs autopsies, and generally attempts to make sense of what doesn’t make sense. She is initially assigned to give reports of Mulder’s work to the higher ups, pretty much using her as a spy. Throughout the series, however, Scully begins to believe in something, while still holding close her Catholic upbringing, something that has always been important to her.


Now, in this adorable book, “Fox” and “Dana” are best friends, hiding out in a tent in their backyard, reading books with flashlights about aliens, called “The X-Files.” Lol. Fox believes in what the stories say, and starts to question whether extraterrestrial life exists on Earth:

Fox: But the universe has billions of planets!
Dana: So?
Fox: So, is it crazy to think that ONE other planet might have intelligent life?
Dana: Here we go again . . .

Suddenly, a bright light akin to abduction lights shine, scaring the bejeezus out of them. Dana assures him it’s simply the floodlights on the house. Basically, the duo holds true: Fox, the believer, Scully, the skeptic. They see a shadow that turns out to be their dog, giant prints in the ground that turn out to be excavation for a pool, a crazy noise echoing in the night: “HOO SQUEE-HOO” that is some diseased, psychotic owl (never heard an owl “squee” before). Here, Fox says: I guess I do have a really wild imagination.
Lol, just you wait, boi.
To which Scully responds: That’s the smartest thing you’ve said all night. All this talk about UFOs, it’s crazy!

Note: This is a picture book. Throughout, there are adorable little illustrations of a spaceship in the background, aliens watching them in the woods, etc. All of the pictures are so simple yet so enjoyable!

They go back to their tent and what do you know, it’s unzipped! They find two aliens inside, reading in alien language and eating their popcorn!! The aliens scream “HOO SQUEE” and the two buddies run away inside. Once out of the picture, the parents, sitting in front of a TV, and the dog, lift masks off of their faces: they’re aliens, too! [Plot Twist]

Again, as a devoted X-Phile, this was absolutely amazing and I will cherish it forever. The only thing I have to say is that this book is 1000% better than the final two seasons of the show. They should’ve just scripted this as seasons 10 & 11..

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing like a sleepover outside to get your imagination going and that is exactly what happens in this book, which is a classic on The X Files: Earth Children Are Weird. All outdoor noises can be explained by everyday events, right?

This is an enjoyable and lively story which begins with two young children (Dana and Fox)camping outside, in the backyard, inside a tent. Fox definitely looks scared after hearing Dana read to him the book, The X Files. Fox begins to question all the noises that he hears outside their tent. Dana tries to reason with Fox, explaining that aliens aren’t real and as they venture out into the yard, she tells him that things look different outside because its dark. It sounds like a great explanation but when Dana gets spooked too, they all take off running into the house where they think they’re going to be safe.

I enjoyed looking at the illustrations for they felt like they’d pop right off the page. Bright colors, crisp details and the facial expressions were fantastic. The story is told by using speech balloons as each character talks and by using various onomatopoeias throughout the book. It really is a fun book to look at and the language is easy to read so children will be able to read it on their own in no time. The ending is super cute.

[glass.curtain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a christmas present (from a wishlist, so I definitely wanted it) and really didn't know what to expect. Mostly I wanted it to keep me busy until the new season of the X-Files and well, because I love Mulder and Scully.

For a hardcore fan I say it's a must have, but if you're only an occasional viewer and/or don't have kids I don't think this will be for you.
The drawings are cute though and the "story" is adorable enough, but again this is something for the Xphile in you.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never seen the X-Files. This adorable comic makes me think that might have been a mistake.

This was cute and made me laugh, even with very little X-Files knowledge. I get the feeling that fans would really enjoy this.

[Grace Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun reading this book with my mom. We enjoyed seeing Fox and Dana as little kids they were very cute. I would say that at first I thought that Fox was just being silly but then I found out that he wasn't being silly. 👦Fox 👱🏻‍♀️Dana 👽👽?Alilens.💙💜❤💖

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just makes my fan-nerd heart happy.

[Melissa White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was just adorable!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it! I can't wait to share my love of the paranormal with my neice! The story is cute and little Fox & Little Dana are adorable.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my little nephew and we had to read it twice cause he couldn’t believe the ending LOL!

It a short yet fun children’s book!

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is a must for fans of the X-Files.