We are Definitely Human

There is a gripping and dramatic opening to this picture book in both the text: ‘It was midnight when something crashed outside Mr and Mrs Li’s house,’ and the first illustration of a bright pink flying saucer making its descent. Investigating, Mr Li discovers three strange looking blue individuals who are keen to declare that they are definitely human, which even the youngest readers will quickly spot they are obviously not.

The story develops with Mr Li and his family and later the whole neighbourhood helping the strange visitors fix their ‘car’ and subtly teaching them about the very best of humans in particular their ability to help others and have fun too.

This is a story about kindness and open-mindedness. There is humour too – in both the story and the illustrations with the aliens bizarre sleeping arrangements, and occupations which include ‘wearing hat’ and their declaration they are from ‘Europe.’

The artwork is very striking with a muted palette for the human world – indigo for nighttime, shades of brown for daytime contrasted with fluorescent pinks and blues for the aliens.

A second successful picturebook from award winning American author/illustrator of The Dim Sum Palace.