WINNER of the Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award • An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
A hilarious alien invasion story with a feel-good message about what it means to be human. Perfect for earthlings of all ages.
When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.
A sweetly funny extraterrestrial offering that explores surprising acts of kindness and acceptance, X. Fang's second picture book is truly out of this world.
X, FANG is a visual artist and maker of books for young readers. Born in Taichung, Taiwan, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she now lives in rural Maine with her husband and their dog, Pamela. X. Fang's debut picture book Dim Sum Palace, which the New York Times called “sumptuous,” was the winner of the 2023 Society of Illustrators' Dilys Evans Founders Award.
"For those who are indisputably, unalterably human, the book is a welcome vote of confidence. Maybe NASA can figure out a way to weld a copy onto its next space probe." —New York Times
"The importance of kindness shines through this farcical tale, and the creatures know it too." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
"[A] slyly funny vibe . . . what starts out as a fish-out-of-water comedy becomes a close encounter of straightforward acceptance." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
"Jon Klassen fans, rejoice: a new laugh-out-loud book can be added to the read-aloud rotation. X. Fang's We Are Definitely Human is a delightful, humorous romp about human kindness towards strangers." —STARRED REVIEW, BookPage
"The story proves more than just a gag, though, through its smoothly executed lesson on being kind to those in need. The textured, richly colored graphite-pencil landscapes and rounded characters are quite beautiful, making the blue and-pink-shaded alien trio all the more awkward. Laugh-out-loud lovely." —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist
"A fabulously illustrated, rib-tickling, and affecting picture book in which Mr. Li and his neighbors demonstrate the potential of kindness and cooperative spirit. . . . Outrageously giggle-inducing dialogue from the aliens is characterized by non sequiturs and garbled syntax, and Fang revels in the disconnect between human expectations and alien quirks. Mixed media illustrations in strong purples, yellows, blues, and greens are a delight. This book's wonderful message of offering help where help is needed is wisely and gracefully delivered." —STARRED REVIEW, Shelf Awareness
