The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature

Strange Planet

by Nathan W. Pyle

Based on his popular Instagram comics, Nathan W. Pyle presents a picture book. When the nearest star rises, Lifegiver has an exciting quest planned for Offspring! Follow along as they observe a strange creature that sneaks, hides, and vibrates around their house.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Comics, Cats, Graphic Novels, Animals

36 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to come. for now:

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

i don’t know what code Nathan W Pyle cracked when he started this series, but i’m so glad he did. Heartwarming, cute, and fun for everyone!

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! I love the Strange Planet comics, but I didn't realize that this is one cohesive storyline instead of a collection of comics. I think this is probably intended to be a children's book, but it works well for adults too IMO (if you already enjoy Pyle's sense of humor and art). I'm one of those stereotypical bookworms who is absolutely obsessed with my cats (and cats in general), so this was right up my alley and I giggled a lot. Definitely going to read this to my 6-year-old later and see if I can convince him to start purring when he likes his food. 😂

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[Carrot :3 (on a hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute but it’s just too short! I want another Strange planet book!!

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family read-aloud binge of picture books for my daughter's 21st birthday!

Not as funny as the Strange Planet cartoon collections, this children's picture book about aliens and their pet cat still manages to amuse. References to "deathblades" carry the day.

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beings + cat = adorableness overload

[Eva B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop why was this so cute??

[Vivone Os · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jao koja preslatka, simpa pričica. <3
Vanzemaljci, mama i sin, proučavaju čudno biće (mačku) i pokušavaju imitirati sve što ono radi. Već i prije sam na društvenim mrežama naletjela na stripiće o njima, a tek sam nedavno saznala da postoji i slikovnica. Naravno, kad su mace u pitanju, priča mi je još draža.
Jako mi se sviđa što vanzemaljci ne koriste normalne nazive za predmete koji nas okružuju, već neke svoje posebne (tipa majka je lifegiver, olovka je ink cylinder, kandže su deathblades, sunce je nearest star, zavjese su starblock fabrics itd), to mi je bilo baš zabavno, a dobro je i za djecu, jer im pomaže da razvijaju apstraktno mišljenje.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute, especially if you love Nathan Pyle's style or you really love cats. It didn't do a whole lot for me personally though - looking forward to another full volume in the Strange planet world hopefully soon.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe I stumbled upon the Strange Planet series of cartoons on Instagram a year ago or so. They are incredibly endearing and cause one to look at humanity and everyday life on Earth in a different light. But most importantly, they are funny. And I needed a little funny to start my day.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early Father's Day gift from my wife A) because she knows me perfectly, and B) because she's terrible at waiting to give gifts! XD

[Danai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat content will always get 5 stars

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute children’s book. I especially like the term “death blades” for cat claws!

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

A surprising little book about a vibrating creature you may have in your very own home, and a group of off-earth beings who may or may not be visiting. We chortled and guffawed over this tale which we'd love to hear again, only with different words. We will be searching for more of these because they make us feel funny in a good way, and make our lips move out of the way so our teeth show.

You should make your eyes look at these words, too!

[Bina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute! I only had access to the audiobook though, so depending on how familiar one is with the comics and word substitution, it can be good brain training :D

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable. Though it's definitely geared to younger beings, I enjoyed this sweet story of a family making scientific observations about one of the inhabitants of their dwelling.
(also, it's super fun to see what names the Beings have given to the various instruments of their existence)

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Planet strikes again.

I will never not love this author, and his portrayal of the Vibrating Creature is absolutely adorable. As a cat and little blue alien lover, this book is a definitive favorite. :)

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

With his characteristic humor, Nathan Pyle showcases my favorite creatures, cats! It had me chuckling as the Lifegivers try to observe and to imitate the strange furry creatures that hide, sneak, scratch, lick, and vibrate. It’s time to give my fur balls a hug and maybe get a purr or more.

[Misty's Book Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially picked up the first book in this series because of Jonny's review. It sounded like it would be a cute read and the fact that it was collection of comics just added to me wanting to read it. 

I don't follow this author, so Jonny's review was the first I had heard about this but apparently, he shares his comics on Facebook and as it says in the synopsis there is an Instagram with the same name. This did end up being a cute read and a quick one. I tend to read graphic novels/comics in one sitting they're just so easy to read.

This doesn't really have a plot it just follows several aliens and the things they get up to on earth. I loved all of the different names they had for human things. For example, the tongue is a called a flavor muscle a cat is called a vibrating creature and socks are called foot fabric tubes. That is just a few examples there are so many more and I found them to be cute and funny at times. The art is very simple but bright and I loved it. Were these graphic novels mind blowing? No but I had a great time reading them. 

[Robin Berman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrated children's book starring the same cute blue aliens with big eyes.

The lifegiver and young being spend time observing their cat (vibrating creature) to learn about it.

It has a "Blues Clues" feel as they write in a small notebook.

They learn it's sneaky, hides, climbs well, knocks things off tables for amusement, licks itself, and is happy. As they observe, they also try to imitate the behaviors and can't do some of them (hiding behind curtains because too big, can't climb because no "death blades" and can't vibrate).

It ends on a sweet note with everyone napping 😴

The author again uses his creative descriptions of things.

[Ken Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and clever as always

[Krystal]

These little aliens make me laugh.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So adorable. Observing the creature provides many experiences. These experiences are maximally enjoyable.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but it didn’t quite work for me. Still it’s very cute.

[Suhasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyment!

[Stephanie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Planet + Cat = Purrfection!

[Almira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book about what cats can do and aliens can't!

[boat_tiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great little children's book. Short and easy to read.

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A being engages its offspring in a mission to hypothesize about and observe a house tamed wild creature and its habits! Perfect to read to young beings and incorporate into a module of knowledge transmission. And equally as perfect for older beings who enjoy the amusing visual rendering series that is Strange Planet!

[Riana (RianaInTheStacks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strange Planet comics are so funny and I love seeing the posts Nathan W Pyle makes on social media of his comics. I was excited to see that he had made a picture book with this same comic! And of course, it’s adorable and hilarious. The life giver and offspring (parent and child) spend a day observing a new creature in the house, drawing what they see, and trying to mimic it’s actions. It’s a very sneaky, fluffy, vibrating sort of creature that has “deathblades” which allow it to climb. Love it!