A brand-new fictional treasure with aliens and bizarre creatures with two tails is a joyous addition to children’s literature
An illustration of the Anywhere Cabinet
After stories that involve time travelling with tortoises and hamsters, British children’s author Ross Welford brings us an endearing tale of a little prince from a magical place called Imaginaria. The Unlikely Diary of Prince Kal the Alien (HarperCollins India) explores young Prince Kalimonka’s adventures on planet earth, when one day, trying to save his pet oofus, he enters the Anywhere Cabinet and lands up in Northumberland, ‘Ingle-land’ (England). Here, he is kept in foster care. He befriends his foster parents’ daughter Noa, and begins his mission to find his pet oofus Gree, a Fortune Crystal that brought him here, and the Ember, a source of energy, that will activate the crystal and take him back home.
A panel depicting Prince Kalimonka. Illustrations Courtesy/Harry Briggs
Welford’s storyline is filled with humour and delight. His fascinating characterisation of the prince is worth noting. Prince Kal goes about trying to command respect from humans on earth, demanding that he be taken to meet the king. He keeps reminding himself of the ‘Princely Principles’ he must follow to avoid falling into un-princely ways. A sure-footed small boy, who wears a gown and a triangular hat, Prince Kal quickly learns the ‘Ingle-lish’ language. He carries the wisdom passed on by his master Lord Feliquoz, though he ends up making many mistakes along the way.
Ross Welford
No moment is dull in Welford’s writing. He introduces interesting townspeople from time to time: Missus Evie St Michael, a warm old woman who finds Prince Kal at the beach and bakes muffins for him, Alvin Willis, the bully, Mister Stephen Hepworth and Missus Thorn, who want to lock the prince up, PC Katie the helpful police officer, and Noa, the braces-wearing young girl, who becomes his closest friend during his time on Earth. Packed with plenty of moments of magic, hypnotism, and strange creatures causing absolute chaos, the book is a joyous read for young readers. By using the template of a diary, Welford makes it easier for readers to stay with the prince and his thoughts throughout the story, as he goes on to discover peculiar habits of humans, odd words and phrases, sights, sounds, and smells on the earth.
Other stories about extraterrestrial life:
The Case of the Careless Aliens and My Teacher is an Alien. Pics Courtesy/Amazon
1 The Case of the Careless Aliens by Archit Taneja: When money begins appearing everywhere and UFOs are spotted, it’s easy to guess that aliens have been sneaking around. They’ve been careless, and have left too many traces. Are they going to succeed in their plan to take over the world, or will the Superlative Supersleuths catch them, and put an end to their diabolical plan?
2 My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville: A sixth-grader Susan Simmons suspects that her substitute teacher is different from the others. Soon, she finds out that he isn’t an earthling at all. When she gets a whiff of his evil plans for the students, she, along with her classmate Peter, devises a plan of her own to save her classmates.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and Aliens on Vacation
3 An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green: April May returns home to find an unusual giant sculpture named Carl. She turns into an overnight celebrity when she records a video with it along with her friend Andy, who posts it online. City dwellers are curious to find out what Carls are and what they want from them. Green combines first encounters and extraterrestrial adventures with the consequences and impact of social media and fame on our lives.
4 Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barret Smith: David visits his grandmother during his summer break, arriving at her Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast. When he reaches, he discovers that the name isn’t the only unearthly thing about the B&B. The guests are aliens on vacation and the rooms are portals into outer space. Will David give away his grandmother’s secret to the suspicious town sheriff?
Available: Leading bookstores and e-stores
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