Safe!

In Outerspace

Children - Adventure
32 Pages
Reviewed on 08/31/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Shannon Winings for Readers' Favorite

Safe! In Outerspace written by Anita and Brandon Holmes and illustrated by Antonio Pahetti is a fun-filled children's picture book with aliens, no less! Readers follow Brandon, a young boy, who is shocked awake by an alien crash landing in his room. He doesn't have much time to process what is going on before he is taken by the alien into outer space. They need his help in their quite literal out-of-this-world baseball game. With their help, he gets suited up with a jet pack and helmet and is thrown into the game. Is Brandon able to support his new team, or will all the changes prove to be too much for him? How is he going to get home before his mom checks on him?

Safe! In Outerspace is unlike other picture books I have read before. Who would have thought to combine aliens and baseball? As odd as it sounds, it is certain to pique the interest of young children looking for something fun to read. Specifically, it is easy to assume that young, elementary-aged boys will be particularly drawn to this book. They'll be excited by the combination of characters and events. The illustrations are also brightly colored and engaging. While the book does not particularly teach a lesson, it does show readers that, despite physical looks, similarities can be found. One wouldn't expect aliens to play baseball, but assumptions make fools of us all. Despite differences, children can enjoy time with one another in various ways, and Anita and Brandon Holmes have crafted this wonderful message on every page.

Susan Sewell

In the adorable children's picture book, Safe! In Outer Space by Anita and Brandon Holmes, a young boy travels through space to play in an intergalactic baseball team. Brandon awakens in astonishment when a spaceship crashes into his room. An alien jumps out and informs him his planet needs Brandon's help. Their star player is injured, so Brandon must come quickly. At first, Brandon argues. What kind of kid travels into outer space in the middle of the night? But when the alien starts taking his bed apart and using it to fix his ship, Brandon begins to wonder how bad outer space could be. Will Brandon help the aliens? Or will he stay home and try to explain the absence of his bed?

Safe! In Outer Space by Anita and Brandon Holmes is a charming children's story with beautiful illustrations and an engaging theme. While the main character, Brandon, may be a little dubious about his new alien friend, he quickly discovers he is just the person to help his new friend's team. The bright, colorful graphics help keep the story moving forward, despite the narrative jumping around a little. I believe young readers will still be able to follow Brandon's adventure in outer space. I enjoyed Brandon's struggles to get used to the way aliens play ball and found the end humorous. I can't help but wonder, was it all dream? I recommend this book to children ages 3-7 and anyone else who would enjoy playing baseball with intergalactic participants.

Eeva Lancaster

Safe! In Outerspace is the story of a young boy who was visited by an alien one night. Their spaceship landed in his room while he was sleeping. It turned out the alien needed Brandon since they were down one man in an intergalactic baseball game. Brandon had no choice but to go with the alien to his home planet. He seemed desperate for Brandon to play in the game. How could Brandon refuse? The alien had traveled a long way just to recruit him, after all. Upon reaching the planet, Brandon was immediately given alien gear such as a jetpack. Playing by alien rules, Brandon had to learn the ropes quickly. The aliens were counting on him, and he couldn't let them down. After the game, the aliens took Brandon back to his room. Now how will Brandon explain what happened to his mother?

Safe! In Outerspace by Anita and Brandon Holmes is a good way to introduce children to science fiction, suitable for ages 3 to 7. It is beautifully illustrated enough to capture the attention of kids. The combination of sports and aliens is fun to nurture the new generation's love for reading. Kids nowadays are more "graphics" oriented. Many lessons can be learned such as cooperation, sportsmanship, developing friendship regardless of race (or planet), conquering obstacles, and telling the truth. I highly recommend this book as a starter book for kids. I remember my mother buying these types of books for me, and now I'm a bibliophile who loves science fiction.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

Safe! In Outerspace is a children's book by Anita and Brandon Holmes. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play your favorite game, baseball for example, in outer space? What about boarding an alien spaceship, with an alien at the controls, of course, and flying off to parts unknown, somewhere in the universe, to become a star player (no pun intended) on an outer space ballgame? Sound a bit far-fetched? Well, perhaps it was all just a dream. But Brandon didn’t think so at the time. Especially when an alien spaceship landed in his bedroom while he was trying to sleep and took both Brandon and his bed onto the spaceship. So begins a night of adventure at an intergalactic ballgame.

Anita and Brandon Holmes’ picture book story, Safe! In Outerspace, is a fun tale that will appeal to the very young and even the reluctant reader. With simple language, a simple plot, and bright, colorful illustrations, including a vibrant illustration of the kidnapper alien, this story will spark the imagination. The plot is well developed and the protagonist, Brandon, is well described through a combination of words and illustrations. Each page has minimal sentences with most of the story being boldly projected in the illustrations, which makes it easier for young readers to read for themselves. The authors use several instances of onomatopoeia (sound words) to help the readers visualize the action, like “crash” and “bam.” As well as the simple message of just being a fun, dream-like adventure, there is also a subtle sense of equity and diversification as Brandon readily accepts his new alien friends in spite of their differences.