Horn Book Review
Savages picture-book homage to campy sci-fi imagines a space alien babysitting two Earth siblings. The well-paced story begins: It was Friday night, and Mom and Dad were headed to the movies. The babysitter will be here any moment now, they said. [page-turn] I think she may have arrived, said my big sister. It was[dramatic page-turn leading to splashy cinematic title page] The Babysitter from Another Planet. At first the children are somewhat uneasy to be left alone with the creature, but their feelings quickly turn to awe and delight. The sitter cooks the kids dinner (with her eyes); helps with their math homework (by drawing 3-D shapes in the air); brings them upstairs (via levitation); and acts as their nightlight (hovering Zen-like above the bedroom floor). Savages digital illustrations in a subdued color palette enhance the tales retro flair, with the familys all-angles mid-century modern house being the perfect backdrop to welcome this benevolent, care-taking space alien. Or make that aliens, as the final illustration shows that we are not alone in the universeand neither was she. elissa gershowitz January/February 2019 p 84(c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
When Mom and Dad go on a date, the children meet their new babysitter with caution that turns to glee as she soon becomes their favorite sitter.A strange silhouette, with green rays emanating from her eyes, greets the kids as they scramble under the kitchen table. It's clear this is no ordinary caregiver. Bull-horned, purple, and reminiscent of a slimmed-down Barbapapa character, this babysitter is definitely an extraterrestrial. But as she cooks, helps with homework, reads, and sings lullabies, she slowly becomes more familiar. The kids are won over when she pulls the ultimate sitter moveletting them stay up late (and play anti-gravity games). Digital illustrations are done in a cool palette using simple blocks of color. The cover parodies the 1950s futuristic aesthetic, from the shape and shading of the flying saucers and car to the modern-style home; distressed display type on the title harkens back to pulp magazines. Unfortunately, while Savage exhibits his signature skill on the cover and title page, the interiors lack the same attention to scale and detail. The mysterious lighting may unsettle more than just the protagonists; this is one to use with children who have had some experience with babysitters already. The family appears to be a multiracial one, with a peach-skinned dad and a light-brown-skinned mom.A resource for the babysitter bookshelf and to prompt conversations about seeing beyond appearances. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
