How to Welcome an Alien - Rebecca Klempner - ★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Rebecca Klempner
ILLUSTRATOR: Shirley Waisman
GENRE: Children's Picture Book
RATING: 3.5 stars.

In a Nutshell: A good thought behind this book, but the execution should have included a few things more.

Story Synopsis:
When a spaceship crashes near the Abraham household, the aliens inside ring their doorbell. Although the Abrahams were expecting some other guests, they still fulfil the mitzvah of welcoming guests to their best ability, even though these guests are strange and speak in an odd manner.


I loved the thought behind this book. In India too, we have the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, which means that a guest is akin to God and should always be welcome. Even the Biblical/Torah story of Abraham welcoming the three angels highlights the importance of offering hospitality guests. In that sense, this book hits the mark as the Abraham family doesn’t question the weird behaviour or unusual appearance of their guests but proceed to be gracious hosts. I enjoyed the aliens’ funny language just as much as their technical devices.

The story highlights the importance of having a welcoming spirit not just to literal guests but to anyone who is in need of assistance and friendship, be it refugees from another region/country, new neighbours who have just moved in, the poor who might need support, or the aged/lonely who might be alone in their homes. In a world that’s getting more and more isolated everyday, courtesy our habit of having more online interactions than offline ones, such a book serves as a good reminder of what actually matters.

At the same time, I cannot ignore the practical side of this open-armed approach. Inviting strangers in the house isn’t always safe, and kids do need to keep this aspect in mind before welcoming strangers in their homes without parental permission. So there has to be some pointer to the kids about having adults around or letting adults know before allowing strangers in, and also explaining the difference between guests and strangers. There’s an interesting author’s note at the end, but it should be expanded to include this note of acting responsibly.

The illustrations were decent. I loved the Abraham’s dog, who seems to show his true emotions whenever he comes on the page. The aliens (who have their own pet animal as well) were also drawn well, with their exploration of the human home leading to several funny moments. However, the depiction of the actual guests on the last page seemed too exaggerated.

Recommended, but to be read under adult guidance and with a clear discussion on the practical implications of the matter. The language of the book makes it suitable for kids aged 4-7.

My thanks to Kalaniot Books and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “How to Welcome an Alien”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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