Let’s Be Earthlings
Mary Murphy
Otter-Barry Books

Narrated by what starts out as a yellow blob heading towards Earth, we see this ‘thing’ using its transformer to make it into an earthling with eyes, a nose, a mouth and legs. These enable it to see,, smell, talk, hear, touch and walk. Off goes the new Earthling to explore what it means to be alive on what it calls ‘ the best planet, ever’ be that as a mango-munching bat, a nectar nuzzling bee, a snail carrying its home on its back or a panda in a bamboo forest.

Our new Earthling learns that gravity enables Earthlings to stay close to the planet, going on to explore various kinds of movement including leaping, swooping and soaring; then discovers the loving care given to their young offspring be they bears, trees or humans, as well as how these young beings play together and even follow their dreams.

No matter where you open the book there will be more wonders to behold; it’s hardly surprising that the alien wants its friend, Batu to come to experience and delight in these wonders.

With Mary Murphy’s rhyming text, wordplays and energetic illustrations, this book is ideal for reading aloud to individuals, a group or Foundation Stage/ early KS1 class.