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Out There
This stunning picture book will have young readers wondering about outer space and life on other planets while imparting a surprising and profound message of empathy and “otherness.” From the author/illustrator of Blue vs. Yellow and I Used to Be a Fish.
Do you ever look up at the night sky and wonder if there is anybody else out there?
Are there evil robots or cool aliens?
Do they fly in UFOs or live in futuristic cities?
Or maybe . . . they are just like us.
Out There is a wonder-filled, surprising journey of imagination and empathy, a book that will inspire readers of all ages to reflect on how much we all have in common, despite our differences.
Do you ever look up at the night sky and wonder if there is anybody else out there?
Are there evil robots or cool aliens?
Do they fly in UFOs or live in futuristic cities?
Or maybe . . . they are just like us.
Out There is a wonder-filled, surprising journey of imagination and empathy, a book that will inspire readers of all ages to reflect on how much we all have in common, despite our differences.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2019
49 people want to read
About the author
Tom Sullivan
6 books8 followersTom Sullivan is an author, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Boston, Massachusetts. He studied at the New England Institute of Art where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design.
After spending the first ten years of his career as a freelance Art Director and Designer, Tom switched gears to pursue his love of storytelling. He is the author and illustrator of the Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins picture books I Used To Be A Fish, BLUE vs. YELLOW, Out There and the graphic novel series Unsolved Case Files.
After spending the first ten years of his career as a freelance Art Director and Designer, Tom switched gears to pursue his love of storytelling. He is the author and illustrator of the Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins picture books I Used To Be A Fish, BLUE vs. YELLOW, Out There and the graphic novel series Unsolved Case Files.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 31, 2020
This book reminded me of a short sci-fi novel I read a few years back, Genesis by Bernard Beckett. Both offer a nice perspective twist to keep us on our toes.
In Out There, we are given the chance to speculate on what it would be like "out there" while comparing it to "down here". I love how our point of view, from our pale blue dot, is shown as only one of potentially many.
Diversity rules the universe. A reminder to stop and appreciate it is always a good thing.
In Out There, we are given the chance to speculate on what it would be like "out there" while comparing it to "down here". I love how our point of view, from our pale blue dot, is shown as only one of potentially many.
Diversity rules the universe. A reminder to stop and appreciate it is always a good thing.
May 28, 2019
I think I will start my Alienology program with this book: are there aliens out there in the universe, and what are they like? Are they just like us?
July 9, 2019
Thoughtful, well-paced story with a sweet twist.
September 27, 2019
Fantastic. I love the surprise at the end.
September 12, 2019
Reviewed for School Library Journal 5/1/19.
K-Gr 2—A fun and lively take on the age-old question, "Is anybody else out there?" The opening spread shows a darkened night sky and the silhouettes of a young boy and girl observing the stars and planets with their telescope. They begin to banter back and forth about the possibility of alien life-forms and what they might look like. Would they be robots with tentacle arms? Extraterrestrials with big heads? Soon then they begin to wonder if maybe these hypothetical life-forms are just like them but different? Perhaps some are kind and some are mean and some take care of their planet and others don't. The book goes on to display lots of different looking humans and some pretty wacky looking animals. The story concludes with the silhouettes being revealed as aliens themselves heading back to their space ship. VERDICT: A playful look at extraterrestrial life and a solid purchase for those looking to increase their sci-fi themed picture books. Bonus points for a key at the end that identifies the strange creatures featured as real animals that exist on planet Earth
K-Gr 2—A fun and lively take on the age-old question, "Is anybody else out there?" The opening spread shows a darkened night sky and the silhouettes of a young boy and girl observing the stars and planets with their telescope. They begin to banter back and forth about the possibility of alien life-forms and what they might look like. Would they be robots with tentacle arms? Extraterrestrials with big heads? Soon then they begin to wonder if maybe these hypothetical life-forms are just like them but different? Perhaps some are kind and some are mean and some take care of their planet and others don't. The book goes on to display lots of different looking humans and some pretty wacky looking animals. The story concludes with the silhouettes being revealed as aliens themselves heading back to their space ship. VERDICT: A playful look at extraterrestrial life and a solid purchase for those looking to increase their sci-fi themed picture books. Bonus points for a key at the end that identifies the strange creatures featured as real animals that exist on planet Earth
July 17, 2019
This book works because it works to the imagination of young readers whose imaginations can run free about life on other planets as its main characters do. Children's books used to be about the wonder (not the sarcasm and general non-wonder of what's out there today) and this book makes a good return to that wonder. The illustrations work well with images of what other worlds might look like and with planets and space presented for visual reading. A good story to read aloud or to give for those who can read on their own.
July 27, 2019
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
A fun read that explores the idea of life on other planets. The thing that stood out most to me was the artwork. The story itself is pretty simple, but that artwork is gorgeous. I loved all of the space art. The pictures are just beautiful.
While the story is simple, there is a playful twist at the end that I really enjoyed and that brought a smile to me face.
Fun book for fans of space and aliens.
A fun read that explores the idea of life on other planets. The thing that stood out most to me was the artwork. The story itself is pretty simple, but that artwork is gorgeous. I loved all of the space art. The pictures are just beautiful.
While the story is simple, there is a playful twist at the end that I really enjoyed and that brought a smile to me face.
Fun book for fans of space and aliens.
September 7, 2022
Out There written by Tom Sullivan goes through questions aliens have about what other living things are out there. Little do they know humans have the same questions.
I feel that this picturebook is a quality book, but lacks in some areas. The story does a great job of keeping the reader interested by asking questions as well as leaves lots of room for curiosity, but does not have a strong plot. At the end of the book, the author also gives a list of all the animals used in the book, so readers can research more information!
Recommended for Kinder and up.
#fiction #aliens #Ilovetoread
I feel that this picturebook is a quality book, but lacks in some areas. The story does a great job of keeping the reader interested by asking questions as well as leaves lots of room for curiosity, but does not have a strong plot. At the end of the book, the author also gives a list of all the animals used in the book, so readers can research more information!
Recommended for Kinder and up.
#fiction #aliens #Ilovetoread
August 15, 2024
Not just for kids! This book teaches empathy and understanding, the knowledge that there is more to people than meets the eye, and that your assumptions about a situation could be completely wrong. The story was wonderful and the artwork is fabulous! I highly recommend for all ages, especially adults.
July 2, 2019
Super adorable read that has you ponder the existence of life on other planets. What I found the greatest is the part where it wonders if there might be families like our own but doesn't illustrate what our families look like.
May 10, 2020
I think I was expecting it to be a little more in-depth about the possibility of life Out There (it was on a book list that suggested it would be, so that's reader expectation, not author fault) but I enjoyed the twist! That made it for me :)
January 30, 2019
Children will enjoy thinking about life on other planets and will probably be surprised by the twist at the end (which I saw coming a mile away).
June 1, 2019
A cute picture book about 2 aliens wondering if it's possible other life exists out in the vast solar system...
June 10, 2019
Eh, good message but not a great read.
June 19, 2019
A great way to teach children to think about otherness and what might be out there. The illustrations are beautiful, and this would be great to use for an alien or outer space program.
June 19, 2019
A cute book that questions if there is life on other planets and what they might be like. I love the illustrations.
June 27, 2019
I think this could be a solid choice for story time.
June 28, 2019
A quick contemplation of what could be in outer space - aliens, people just like us, a planet just like ours, creatures with tentacles?
July 19, 2019
This was perfect for the Universe of Stories Summer Reading Program theme! Bright colorful illustrations, not a lot of words on each page. This is a great choice for even the youngest reader!
August 12, 2019
A fun twist on aliens! I may have seen it coming, but Berry definitely didn't. Enjoyable, though the illustrations weren't my favorite.
September 17, 2019
I give Tom Sullivan's Out There 5 stars, specifically for the last page of writing.
November 17, 2019
A preschool and up book about what else could be out in the universe.
January 29, 2020
Fun read and I really appreciate the note at the end showing what each of the unusual animals from our planet were.
May 26, 2020
Neat story with a neat twist.
December 22, 2020
Super cute book!
April 7, 2021
This will be great for all the kiddos who want books about space!
April 20, 2021
Cute book questioning and comparing life out in space to our earth.
January 6, 2023
While I did like the twist at the end, I'm not sure I can agree that it is a stunning picture book.
February 1, 2023
Plot twist
December 4, 2023
Somewhat cute with intricate illustrations and a twist at the end as beings wonder whether there is life out there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews