SPACE ALIEN AT PLANET DAD
Published by Scholastic 2015
** Recommended, 2017 Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature for Picture Book and Younger Readers
“Lucinda Gifford has skilfully woven a strong message into the story that is entertaining in its own right. Lovely to read aloud with a child, with lots of opportunity for comic-book style sound effects. For a ‘grown up’ catapulted into a relationship with a new partner’s child, this book should also provide comfort and clarity.”
“This is a wonderfully imaginative and entertaining story about a young boy dealing with his dad’s new relationship, the ‘alien’ in his space. Being told totally from Jake’s (space-obsessed) perspective makes it really accessible and relatable for other children who find themselves in Jake’s position.”
“Space Alien at Planet Dad is a super, highly interactive and energetic book that also deals sensitively and cleverly with changes to family dynamics. It allows its young readers, particularly those in blended families, the opportunities to perceive new situations and household members in a different light.”
“Lucinda Gifford has found a uniquely funny and gentle way to help small children cope with the addition of a new partner into their parenting situations.”
Planet Dad has been invaded… and Jake’s not happy. How will he deal with the hideous, green Space Alien?
Jake loves Planet Dad. There are intergalactic battles to wage, awesome space stations to build, and movie nights with Dad’s special spaghetti and meteorite sauce.
Then, one day, a Space Alien turns up. Jake wants to blast it straight back into orbit. But this Space Alien doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
What will become of Planet Dad?
Space Alien at Planet Dad is a book about: hope, learning to deal with change, accepting new people, and taking time to adjust – as well as one-eyed, green aliens who look extra-terrible in the morning.
Space Alien at Planet Dad is NOT a book about: simple solutions and happily ever after. It doesn’t even have any hugging (well, just one hug).
Here are some of my early sketches, as I developed the concept for this book:
And an early storyboard:
And a couple of snippets:
FROM SPACE ALIEN AT PLANET DAD BY LUCINDA GIFFORD
TEXT & ILLUSTRATIONS COPYRIGHT © LUCINDA GIFFORD, 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED BY SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA, A DIVISION OF SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED, 2015
REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
And you can get Space Alien at Planet Dad online here