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Alien Tomato
It streaked through the sky on a perfect day in July and landed in the garden…
When a mysterious red orb appears one day, the vegetables aren’t sure what to make of it. They decide that it must be an alien tomato! They name her Allie and try to make her feel as welcome as possible. But Gopher isn’t convinced. He’s sure it’s just a ball.
This delightfully silly tale and its equally hilarious art are a perfect fit for gardeners and sci-fi fans alike.
When a mysterious red orb appears one day, the vegetables aren’t sure what to make of it. They decide that it must be an alien tomato! They name her Allie and try to make her feel as welcome as possible. But Gopher isn’t convinced. He’s sure it’s just a ball.
This delightfully silly tale and its equally hilarious art are a perfect fit for gardeners and sci-fi fans alike.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 14, 2020
3 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
June 2, 2021
The littlest of littles won't get this, but older children will love this book, which has great art and the perfect punchline. A winner.
July 15, 2020
In this deliciously sci-fi picture book, The Twilight Zone meets the vegetable patch! I loved the understated humor of the text, the perfect twist ending, and the vibrant, full-bleed artwork that covers most of the spreads (rather than pages sprinkled with spot illustrations). It makes the perfect read-aloud for the a story time crowd in or outside of the classroom, and because the text contains a lot of dialogue, I'd also recommend it to ESL teachers. I can't wait to try it out with my own English learners over here in Switzerland. I also think it would work well converted into a play for primary students. For now, I've bought it for my 4 year-old nephew who loves to help in the garden :). Such a hit!
August 5, 2020
In this hilarious story, a mysterious red object lands in the garden and the vegetables that share that garden aren’t sure what to do with her. At first they were a little nervous and scared because all new things are scary and anxiety-inducing, but they decide to welcome her in and share their joy with her, assuming she is an alien veggie visiting from another planet. But we the readers and also a very grumpy groundhog seem to know that it is not in fact a tomato that has joined the garden. I love stories that break the fourth wall. In this story we have the groundhog directly talking both to the veggies who aren’t really listening and also to the reader even busting out of the illustration to make that clear. I love that the ending is a twist that I doubt the kids will see coming. The illustrations are adorable and the multi-colored text bubbles make it easy to identify who is speaking.
As such, it would be a great option for doing a little bit of readers theater. Will definitely be purchasing for my library.
*Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for providing a digital copy. All opinions are my own.
As such, it would be a great option for doing a little bit of readers theater. Will definitely be purchasing for my library.
*Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for providing a digital copy. All opinions are my own.
December 20, 2020
This humorous picture book will resonate with all readers as the garden residents all guess at the origin of the strange red orb that flew into their home. One resident is absolutely certain from the beginning what the orb is and the author gives her readers a delightful surprise twist at the end.
May 4, 2022
4 - 8 years
February 23, 2020
This hilarious, laugh-out-loud tale has something for everyone! When a newcomer arrives unexpectedly in the garden, the veggies welcome the newcomer and try to make it feel at home. A cheeky gopher, who is “all-knowing” about the garden’s goings-on scoffs at the veggies, while freely and humorously offering his opinion. Kids will easily relate to this witty tale that parallels interactions that occur on many playgrounds. Themes of inclusion, kindness, and embracing diversity are present throughout. Engell’s bright and lively illustrations gives life to all of the garden characters and compliment Schroeder’s hilariously fun text. Kids will ask to have ALIEN TOMATO read again and again!
July 30, 2020
There is this matter-of-fact narration that kind of runs the play by play of the story. The vegetables and the gopher disagree on what this red orb actually is with their dialog appearing in speech bubbles. All of these parts add layers of humor as the tension builds between the veggies and the gopher. I love that the vegetables decide the red orb is an alien tomato and are totally accepting of this new friend in their garden. Gopher is so sure that the vegetables are wrong, but no one is listening to him so he takes action to gain attention.
July 14, 2020
This book is hilarious – especially the unexpected ending! A comical cast of characters tries to solve the mystery of what has just landed in their garden. Children will love the funny monologue of the sarcastic, know-it-all gopher and banter between the curious but polite vegetables. The illustrations are fun and bright. Bubble speech and concise but rhythmic and snappy text will make this book enjoyable for children who read to themselves too.
April 5, 2021
Alien Tomato is so fresh, clever, and FUN to read aloud. Seldom am I really surprised by whatever twist a picture book takes, but this one surprised me AND made me laugh out loud. It's a keeper!
April 27, 2020
This hilarious comedy of vegetable errors from debuter Kristen Schroeder tells the story of a red ball who suddenly appears in the vegetable patch. The vegetables decide it is an alien tomato - they throw 'Allie' a welcome party, they polish their manners, they try their very best to be polite and welcoming to this inscrutable stranger. They even make her a crown of flowers.
Only the know-it-all, exasperated gopher refuses to play along. He's clever. He knows it's just a red ball. He will not be fooled! He is maybe a little jealous of all the attention 'Allie' is receiving. Maybe he wants his revenge on the slow witted veggies... but just maybe the joke will be on him... I don't want to say too much to spoil it, but the ending is great.
On the whole, I found this to be a witty, lovely tale - the illustrations effortlessly bring out the protagonists' adorable charm, (I particularly love the peas in a pod) and there's a wee reference to a well loved extra terrestrial film.
Even kids that can't stand vegetables will love and laugh over this lively comedy about not taking things at face value and approaching strangers with an open heart. Mette Engell's illustrations are warm and witty, teeming with life and joy.
Couldn't recommend more highly - and I can't wait to see what Schroeder does next.
Only the know-it-all, exasperated gopher refuses to play along. He's clever. He knows it's just a red ball. He will not be fooled! He is maybe a little jealous of all the attention 'Allie' is receiving. Maybe he wants his revenge on the slow witted veggies... but just maybe the joke will be on him... I don't want to say too much to spoil it, but the ending is great.
On the whole, I found this to be a witty, lovely tale - the illustrations effortlessly bring out the protagonists' adorable charm, (I particularly love the peas in a pod) and there's a wee reference to a well loved extra terrestrial film.
Even kids that can't stand vegetables will love and laugh over this lively comedy about not taking things at face value and approaching strangers with an open heart. Mette Engell's illustrations are warm and witty, teeming with life and joy.
Couldn't recommend more highly - and I can't wait to see what Schroeder does next.
November 15, 2020
“It streaked through the sky on a perfect day in July ... and landed in the garden.”
It’s bright red and round, so all the vegetables in the garden think that it must be a tomato, but a different tomato ... yes, an alien tomato. Only the gopher seems to think it is simply a red ball. No knowing if an alien tomato would be dangerous, the other vegetables choose to be exceedingly kind to their visitor, even throwing it a party. Though Allie never responds to them, the vegetables are undeterred in their quest to be friendly.
Finally, the gopher has had enough and, during the night, takes the mysterious visitor into his tunnel. All the vegetables agree that Allie has returned to her own planet. The gopher laughs at the trick he has played on them, but the Alien Tomato has the last laugh!
Cute.
It’s bright red and round, so all the vegetables in the garden think that it must be a tomato, but a different tomato ... yes, an alien tomato. Only the gopher seems to think it is simply a red ball. No knowing if an alien tomato would be dangerous, the other vegetables choose to be exceedingly kind to their visitor, even throwing it a party. Though Allie never responds to them, the vegetables are undeterred in their quest to be friendly.
Finally, the gopher has had enough and, during the night, takes the mysterious visitor into his tunnel. All the vegetables agree that Allie has returned to her own planet. The gopher laughs at the trick he has played on them, but the Alien Tomato has the last laugh!
Cute.
March 16, 2020
What happens when an unidentified object lands in the vegetable garden? Debut author Kristen Schroeder answers that question in her "tickle-your-funny-bone" tale, ALIEN TOMATO. The delightfully drawn veggies swing between uncertainty and common courtesy. Eventually common courtesy wins out, and the veggies do what they can to make this red, round creature feel welcomed. Not everyone, however, shares the veggies' positive, inclusive attitude. The hilarious rantings of Gopher whose opinion and attitude definitely differs from the veggies add a hilarious twist to the tale and land him in the middle of a very unexpected ending. Readers will love this story and these characters for all the right reasons. Definitely a good read!
February 22, 2020
So much to love about this laugh-out-loud hilarious book! The retro style of the illustrations with bright colors and quirky characters fit perfectly with the story. The sparse text and matter-of-fact narration keeps the story moving forward. The vegetable characters and the grumpy gopher’s personalities are on full display using dialogue shown in speech bubbles. When a red ball that looks like a tomato lands in the garden, each character begins speculating on what it is. Both illustrations and text are needed to understand the story as it unfolds. They work in tandem to make it a unique picture book. Kids and parents will chuckle at this delightful book.
February 3, 2021
Fresh fiction at its finest! Oh my, I loved this garden tale. The veggies clearly can recognize one of their own kind, even if it is an alien form, so there’s a lesson there about accepting, and staying true to, those that may be different. And Gopher’s evil plotting to prove his point leaves you rooting for team veg.
Clearly a book to read again and again and enjoy each time. The illustrations are fabulous and the side conversations hysterical. Who knows, it may even provide a way for children to engage at farmer’s market or dinner table as they search for their own alien vegetables.
Clearly a book to read again and again and enjoy each time. The illustrations are fabulous and the side conversations hysterical. Who knows, it may even provide a way for children to engage at farmer’s market or dinner table as they search for their own alien vegetables.
April 3, 2020
Everyone in the garden is convinced the mysterious red object that suddenly appeared is an alien tomato! They name her Allie and make her feel at home. Gopher, on the other hand, is certain “Allie” is simply a red ball. The adorable illustrations, fun cast of characters, and hilarious dialogue will make young readers want to read ALIEN TOMATO again and again. Plus, who doesn’t love a surprise at the end?!
May 9, 2020
In Alien Tomato, you’ll find curiosity, courtesy, and a healthy dose of certainty. While the group of veggies concludes the foreign object that lands in the garden is an Alien Tomato, the gopher is certain it is just a red ball. Therefore, reaction to, and interaction with this new garden dweller differs. A fun exploration and reflection of how individuals respond when presented with the unfamiliar.
June 25, 2020
What a fun book! I love all the vegetable characters and their hilarious dialogue about an unidentified round red object that just landed in their garden. What IS it? No one seems to agree and gopher seems to be the only one confident in what the object really is. This is fun story about mistaken identity and the importance of inclusion. The surprise ending is clever and the cast of colorfully illustrated characters will entertain readers of all ages.
July 9, 2020
I love the suspense and mystery throughout the whole book. Is Allie, who unexpectedly appeared in the garden one day, an alien tomato or not??? Sometimes we think that the veggies are right that she is, but other times we think that know-it-all Gopher is right and she is not. The reveal feels both expected and unexpected and absolutely hilarious. All the characters are so animated and alive - thanks to speech bubbles and the way the characters are illustrated.
February 28, 2021
Such a cute, funny story, I was giggling all through it as the so nice and polite vegetables talk amongst themselves, trying to figure out what the new strange thing in their garden is. The story rolls along until the surprise twist ending is revealed, and the veggies have the last laugh! The illustrations are lovely, and compliment the sparse but perfect text! I am always looking for funny picture books, and this one is a treat!
March 31, 2021
A red ball (or is it?) arrives in a garden and the vegetables think it is an "Alien Tomato." A prairie dog tries to prove them wrong and hides the ball in his burrow, only to be surprised that it is an alien after all!
This is not a favorite for me, there were too many speech bubbles from different (3-4) on each page making a smooth read aloud difficult. Concept would have been better executed as a short cartoon.
This is not a favorite for me, there were too many speech bubbles from different (3-4) on each page making a smooth read aloud difficult. Concept would have been better executed as a short cartoon.
April 25, 2021
An alien tomato, what a great concept. What would you do if something strange landed in your garden? Well the characters in this book make friends with it. All except the gopher who know what it really is or he 'thinks' he knows. What a great mystery book for young readers with a great twist at the end. Paired with fantastic illustrations and dialogue the story is told on lots of different levels. A great read aloud which children and parents will sure to love.
December 20, 2021
A red object falls into a garden one day, and all the garden veggies speculate about what it is. They decide that it is an alien tomato and do their best to make it feel welcome. A gopher in the garden insists that it is just a rubber ball, and eventually absconds with it because he's tired of the vegetables talking nonsense. In the end, the alien tomato takes the gopher with her onto her mothership.
March 23, 2020
A cute story about welcoming visitors to the community regardless of
how different they behave. Little gardeners and space fans will adore ALIEN TOMATO's encounter
with this compassionate garden gang. The bright and cheerful illustrations make it an
easy-to-see-read for circle time. I enjoyed each character's sincere concern for Alien Tomato and the fun twist at the end.
how different they behave. Little gardeners and space fans will adore ALIEN TOMATO's encounter
with this compassionate garden gang. The bright and cheerful illustrations make it an
easy-to-see-read for circle time. I enjoyed each character's sincere concern for Alien Tomato and the fun twist at the end.
April 1, 2020
One day, a red orb falls into the garden. The vegetables are certain it's a tomato. . .an ALIEN tomato! And gopher is pretty sure it's just a red ball, and pretty frustrated that the ball (or tomato, or whatever) is getting all the attention. A hilarious adventure filled with fun dialogue and fun, colorful illustrations, this story is one that kids and parents alike will enjoy!
May 10, 2020
Alien Tomato is a hilarious story with lots of winks to the audience and laugh-out-loud moments. The cast of characters include various veggies and a smarty pants gopher who experience a visit from an odd red ball ... or is it an alien tomato? The story is told in clever speech bubbles and enhanced by funny, delicious illustrations that enrich the story and humor.
July 1, 2020
Alien Tomato? Haha - we loved this story about a tomato that "lands" in a garden. What ensues is an engaging exploration of meeting the unknown with courtesy and care vs. skepticism and mistreatment. The captivating illustrations and clever dialogue will be sure to stimulate interesting conversations at home or in the classroom. Thank you, Ms. Schroeder!
July 20, 2020
This is such a sweet and funny picture book. I love this debut publication by Kristen Schroeder. It has everything a wee one in your life will love — suspense, adorable illustrations, kind characters (and one grumpy gopher), a twist at the end, and a story children will want to read again and again. I love it!
August 20, 2020
A mysterious visitor joins a pack of lively and welcoming garden friends. Adorable illustrations and fun words work together to add lots of personality to this veggie tale. A funny premise addressing the theme that things are not always as they seem (or are they?). My kids loved it and asked to read it again and again.
August 21, 2020
What a fun and clever story! When a strange red something lands in a vegetable patch, the veggies conclude it’s an Alien Tomato and name it Allie. But Gopher thinks they are wrong. The two groups are at odds with what this thing really is. The ending is phenomenal and helps readers think about perceptions and perspective. The art is bright and vibrant! What a fun read-aloud for kids!
August 25, 2020
Adorable! ALIEN TOMATO is a fun, faced paced story with lots and lots of layers for reading with kids of all ages. Gardening, vegetable identification, colors, friendship, acceptance, and so much more. And Mette Engell’s illustrations are absolutely adorable. Take time to look at all the vegetables expressions on each page. Guranteed to crack you and the kids up!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews