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Alistair Grittle
Alistair in Outer Space
When Alistair is kidnapped by a spaceship full of Goots from Gootula, his main concern is for his overdue library books.
Audiobook
First published January 20, 1984
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About the author
Marilyn Sadler
67 books47 followersWith a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.
Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.
Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.
In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.
Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.
Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.
In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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January 25, 2025This book always troubled me as a kid. What were we supposed to make of Alastair? When he is abducted by aliens, his main concern is not for his safely nor is it to enjoy the incredible adventure that he has been throw into -- rather, he is concerned with returning his library books on time! I always had the uncomfortable feeling that the book was making fun of him... I'm grateful to my friend Cheryl for helping me see the book in another light (be sure to check out her review!) I, too, was a very conscientious child and didn't like books that made fun of people who cared about things like that. Here, Alastair and his adventures were both so next level -- it made me uncomfortable because I thought maybe it was poking fun or making a point about how rule-followers can't really enjoy adventures/spontaneity etc (which I don't think is true in all cases!). It helps to reframe that perspective and see Alastair as the hero of his own adventure.
January 25, 2025
Just plain silly fun, told deadpan. I enjoyed this on openlibrary.org (Internet Archive) and probably would have done so more when I was a child.
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Alistair's adventure (during which he reads an adventure story!) is worth the reread I just gave it, to answer a friend's question. I think that if we don't identify with conscientious Alastair, it is hard to know how to think about him. I was a very good girl myself, so I just felt empathy. Other readers may just feel like they're learning about a different kind of person. I don't think anyone should laugh at him or feel pity; his perspective and motivations are as valid as anyone's.
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Alistair's adventure (during which he reads an adventure story!) is worth the reread I just gave it, to answer a friend's question. I think that if we don't identify with conscientious Alastair, it is hard to know how to think about him. I was a very good girl myself, so I just felt empathy. Other readers may just feel like they're learning about a different kind of person. I don't think anyone should laugh at him or feel pity; his perspective and motivations are as valid as anyone's.
September 19, 2018
One of my all-time favorites to use with library tours and story times...in which Alistair is abducted by aliens while he is on his way to the library to return his books.
Our super dynamic story performer, Krystal, has so much fun sharing this with a group. She uses prompts from the illustrations to engage the children, like so...
"Can you wash your hands?" (children make hand washing motions with her)
"What do you think Alistair did?" (waits for responses)
"Do you have a library card?" (waits for responses)
"Let's see what happens..." (turns page)
"Can you see the Goots? Where are they?" (children point and describe)
"Can you say, 'Take me home'?" (children repeat phrase)
"Where's earth? Do you see it?" (children respond)
"Does that look like his home? Where is he?" (children respond)
Then she has them all stand up, saying...
"Stand up for me! We're going to be a rocket ship. Okay, give me a big blast off. Make it bigger, b i g g e r, BIGGER!!! Show me your stars" (hands open and shut -- blinking) "Now we're falling quietly to the ground.
Our super dynamic story performer, Krystal, has so much fun sharing this with a group. She uses prompts from the illustrations to engage the children, like so...
"Can you wash your hands?" (children make hand washing motions with her)
"What do you think Alistair did?" (waits for responses)
"Do you have a library card?" (waits for responses)
"Let's see what happens..." (turns page)
"Can you see the Goots? Where are they?" (children point and describe)
"Can you say, 'Take me home'?" (children repeat phrase)
"Where's earth? Do you see it?" (children respond)
"Does that look like his home? Where is he?" (children respond)
Then she has them all stand up, saying...
"Stand up for me! We're going to be a rocket ship. Okay, give me a big blast off. Make it bigger, b i g g e r, BIGGER!!! Show me your stars" (hands open and shut -- blinking) "Now we're falling quietly to the ground.
October 20, 2010
If you think you have met a goody-two-shoes , you haven't until you meet Alistair Grittle. Alistair,the main character in this fantastical book, is more than a little uptight. In fact, Alistair makes to-do lists, hangs up his jacket when he gets home, sets his watch to school time (so he's never late!) and always makes sure he washes his hands before he reads his library books (so he doesn't smudge the pages!).
One fateful day when Alistair was on his way to return his library books, he gets "picked up by a space ship and whisked off into space". Along his journey through space, Alistair lands in a space ship flown by creatures known as Goots. The Goots tell Alistair to stay with them and while he would like to, he can't because his library books would be overdue. As the Goots are flying Alistair about, he realizes he is bored and wants to read his library books. As always, he must wash his hands before he can begin. Instead of opening the bathroom, Alistair opens the door and falls into space.
Instead of worrying about his own safety,Allistair worries that his library books will be overdue. Alistair eventually gets rescued from space and the Goots agree to take Alistair home. The Goots are bad with directions and end up landing on (what the reader would infer as) Antarctica.
Written by Marilyn Sadler and Illustrated by Roger Bollen, this short, action packed book can be used for a variety of topics for 2nd through 4th grade. Some activities you could use would be having children write the sequel to this book(since it ends by leaving a lot to the imagination),. You could also pose this question to the students, "Alistar didn’t want to go to another planet because his library books were due. What reasons would you have for not going to another planet?"
While I am not a science fiction fan, this book still wouldn't be among my favorites. The cartoon-style illustrations are by far the best part of this book.
One fateful day when Alistair was on his way to return his library books, he gets "picked up by a space ship and whisked off into space". Along his journey through space, Alistair lands in a space ship flown by creatures known as Goots. The Goots tell Alistair to stay with them and while he would like to, he can't because his library books would be overdue. As the Goots are flying Alistair about, he realizes he is bored and wants to read his library books. As always, he must wash his hands before he can begin. Instead of opening the bathroom, Alistair opens the door and falls into space.
Instead of worrying about his own safety,Allistair worries that his library books will be overdue. Alistair eventually gets rescued from space and the Goots agree to take Alistair home. The Goots are bad with directions and end up landing on (what the reader would infer as) Antarctica.
Written by Marilyn Sadler and Illustrated by Roger Bollen, this short, action packed book can be used for a variety of topics for 2nd through 4th grade. Some activities you could use would be having children write the sequel to this book(since it ends by leaving a lot to the imagination),. You could also pose this question to the students, "Alistar didn’t want to go to another planet because his library books were due. What reasons would you have for not going to another planet?"
While I am not a science fiction fan, this book still wouldn't be among my favorites. The cartoon-style illustrations are by far the best part of this book.
February 3, 2017
A funny thing happened to Alistair son the way to the library to return his library books. Yep he went to outer space had to help two groups of aliens and get back to Earth so he could turn his library books in on time. Cute with a humorous tone.
October 24, 2014
A great book to read aloud to early elementary students. With funny, twist ending.
November 13, 2018
Picked up this book to read with one of my students today during our reading time. It features one young Mr. Alistair Grittle, who is about the most uptight young boy you will ever care to meet. He makes lists of things he has to do. He makes list of things he does not have to do. He always hangs up his coat. He's always on time for school, and he always returns his library books on time. That is until, one faithful day, a spaceship of Goots swoops down and picks him up on his way to the library. Alistair goes off on an adventure, but will he make it back in time to return those library books?
I thought this book was a cute little tale. My only criticism is that the plot seemed a bit outlandish to me, but I'm a grown up, so I don't think kids would really notice that. I recommend it for parents to read with their children, for beginning readers, and as a part of classroom libraries.
I thought this book was a cute little tale. My only criticism is that the plot seemed a bit outlandish to me, but I'm a grown up, so I don't think kids would really notice that. I recommend it for parents to read with their children, for beginning readers, and as a part of classroom libraries.
June 5, 2019
Alistair, who is very tidy, and somewhat persnickety when it comes to returning his library books back on time is picked up by a spaceship, and whisked off into outer space. The Goots wanted to take Alistair to their planet, but Alistair only wants to return his books on time to avoid a fine. What will be the outcome of this time and space adventure?
July 29, 2018
“Alistair Grittle is a very sensible boy.” Alistair is so conscientious about overdue library books that when two “Goots” from Gootula fly down and take Alistair for a ride, he declines a visit to their planet so that he can get his books back to the library on time.
August 23, 2022
As a Children’s Librarian, I read this in storytimes often. I was able to use it with slightly older kids in the primary grades as it is a little more sophisticated than some picture books, so I often used it for class tours of the library. The kids always enjoyed it.
October 1, 2022
A Nostalgic Read
I read this book when I was a kid after seeing it being recommended on Reading Rainbow. I just read it to my four year old son and he loved it. So it still holds up today.
I read this book when I was a kid after seeing it being recommended on Reading Rainbow. I just read it to my four year old son and he loved it. So it still holds up today.
July 25, 2024
It’s Okay
I started reading through the list of featured Reading Rainbow books. This story didn’t capture me and I didn’t like the main character. The illustrations were fun and saved it from being a one star.
I started reading through the list of featured Reading Rainbow books. This story didn’t capture me and I didn’t like the main character. The illustrations were fun and saved it from being a one star.
July 3, 2017
Gotta love Alistair's dedication to returning his library books
April 4, 2018
Potential topics for discussing with children:
Directions, responsibility, getting lost
*Accessible via Reading Rainbow
Directions, responsibility, getting lost
*Accessible via Reading Rainbow
August 15, 2019
This is a very odd little book. It's silly and entertaining, but weird.
November 13, 2019
Overall, this book is a good science fiction book and it shows how book can really take your imagination to a whole other world!
February 6, 2022
They landed in the wrong place. Thousands of miles from the library!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2011
I received this book from my dear friend Betsy for the holidays and it is ADORABLE!!!! When she gave it to me she had me read it to her which was great fun to share such a lovely gifts together!
So in essence... this is the story about a boy who does EVERYTHING right.... he makes lists.... goes everywhere on time and returns his library books on time until.... a spaceship swoops down and takes him on a fantastic journey. Poor.... poor Alistar must exert himself over the alien Goots but even when he gets them to touchdown back on earth AND he thinks he can get his library books back on time something very disconcerting yet funny happens. Kids will love this book.... it is murphey's law in action for kids. Somewhat like the adventures of MAX in Where the Wild Things Are.... it is sure to please.
Thanks Betsy!
So in essence... this is the story about a boy who does EVERYTHING right.... he makes lists.... goes everywhere on time and returns his library books on time until.... a spaceship swoops down and takes him on a fantastic journey. Poor.... poor Alistar must exert himself over the alien Goots but even when he gets them to touchdown back on earth AND he thinks he can get his library books back on time something very disconcerting yet funny happens. Kids will love this book.... it is murphey's law in action for kids. Somewhat like the adventures of MAX in Where the Wild Things Are.... it is sure to please.
Thanks Betsy!
April 29, 2012
This book had a lasting effect on our small son Alister. Firstly the main character looked like him, was the same age as him and had a very similar personality. Secondly it inspired our son to wear suit jackets and bow ties - which did not exactly help him make friends with his contemporaries.
Apart from that (and instilling in him a fear of ever taking out a library book in case it went overdue which was a problem as this was a library book we had borrowed) we had a lot of fun with this book. 15 years later and he still remembers it.
Apart from that (and instilling in him a fear of ever taking out a library book in case it went overdue which was a problem as this was a library book we had borrowed) we had a lot of fun with this book. 15 years later and he still remembers it.
December 29, 2009
One of my favorite children's books, this a pictures about a little nerdy boy who loves books so much that even when he is kidnapped by aliens and is in their space ship traveling towards their planet, he reads a library book. After all, "There is nothing like getting lost in a good adventure story." Brief text (the entire book takes less than 5 minutes to read), large colorful pictures, and hilarious content. My favorite way to use this book is to read it aloud to adults!
July 8, 2016
Alistair in Outer Space is a funny, out-of-this-world story in which a little boy is abducted by aliens who want to take him back to their home planet. Alistair himself, however, is more concerned about getting his library books back on time. Will he make it back to Earth before having to pay overdue fees? Both this school librarian and the students I shared this book with will agree that this is a fun story!
January 20, 2016
Alistair (of Alistair and the Elephant) is back! This time this very methodical and punctual little boy is on the way to the library to return his books we he gets abducted by aliens! He needs to get back home in time to return his books to the library so he won't have to pay a fine. Lots of alien fun in this story.
Cute and cartoony illustrations.
Cute and cartoony illustrations.
June 7, 2023
A humorous picture book about Alistair and his trip into outer space with the Goots and the Trollabobbles. Alistair's concern about his books being overdue is definitely a big part of the book's charm and of course, the last page is truly funny.
October 19, 2016
2* art
3* story
Adventures couldn't possibly happen to a more unflappable kid. The only thing that works him up, even when floating off into outer space, is returning his library books on time. Squirt thinks the end is hilarious. Poor Alistair. What will he do when he realizes where he is?
3* story
Adventures couldn't possibly happen to a more unflappable kid. The only thing that works him up, even when floating off into outer space, is returning his library books on time. Squirt thinks the end is hilarious. Poor Alistair. What will he do when he realizes where he is?
December 17, 2016
We LOVE Alistair! We love that he loves reading and never loses a library book. We love that is holds to what he thinks is right and voices that. We love that he is sensible and makes lists to plan his life. We love that he makes friends wherever he goes. Please, more Alistair books.
April 15, 2008
My second favorite from our summer reading promotion collection. Alistair gets taken by aliens, and what worries him most is turning in his library books late and getting a fine. Gotta love that!
February 3, 2009
When Alistair is kidnapped by aliens from another planet his main concern is for his overdue library books.
July 23, 2011
(3.5 stars)
Summary:
Alistair gets taken by Goots (aliens) into outer space, and all he can think about is getting back to Earth to return his library book on time.
Summary:
Alistair gets taken by Goots (aliens) into outer space, and all he can think about is getting back to Earth to return his library book on time.
September 6, 2016
I appreciate a kid who wants to get his library books back before their are due, but I think in this case he's missing out on what's happening around him.
July 23, 2015
Relatively boring and annoying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews