  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 05/01/2016 K-Gr 2—Employing eye-catching imagery and space lingo that will have children and their adults giggling, Portis emphasizes that friendship can be tricky yet rewarding. Yelfred and Omek, residents of the planet Boborp, have been pals (or "frints") since they were young. Though these two buddies love to engage in a variety of activities together (they give out "blurfday" gifts, play games such as "eye ball in the peedle pit"—which consists of flinging an eyeball through a sea of gaping maws—and eat "yunch"), they are quick to anger (which never happens on Earth, the author wryly points out). Yelfred and Omek's interactions do turn a bit rough (harsh words are exchanged, and a tail is gnawed off), but "frintship" prevails in the end. Portis has crafted a witty and energetic work that will appeal to children's sense of fun. There's a Tim Burton-esque feel to the zany, dramatic illustrations—Yelfred and Omek are spherical creatures with antennae, tails, clawlike arms and legs, and pointy "teef")—but also an adorable factor that will endear them to readers. Saturated colors, textured backgrounds, and a pared-down design, full of thick outlines and simple shapes, are ideal for the title's intended audience. These easily vexed alien pals capture the emotional ups and downs that children experience, and Portis's creative take adds a fun twist on a well-trod topic. - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2016 Aliens Omek and Yelfred “have been best frints since they were little blobbies.” They like to play “eye ball” (catch, with an eyeball-like ball) in the “peedle pit” (a space full of pointy, fanged plant-like things) and drive “spossips” (simple, boat-like spaceships). As on Earth, the inhabitants of planet Boborp sometimes argue-and sometimes use their “teef”-during an argument: “Luckily, on Boborp, tails grow back.” Thankfully, some creative problem solving (and some “taypo”-tape) fix a “shmackled” (broken) sposship as well as a fractured “frintship.” The wordplay provides pleasant and amusing structure, and creative teachers, librarians, and parents could use this title in a variety of ways. While there is a sort of picture glossary on the front and rear endpapers, kids could also be encouraged to use the sounds of the alien words (“frow” = throw) and their contexts to arrive at their own definitions, and the book could inspire some creative writing or wordplay activities. The underlying friendship story is less original but equally helpful, as the recasting of it in alien terms may draw in kids who have difficulty relating to the ordinary emotional interplay between human counterparts. Solid lines shape the figures in the forefront, while background elements edged with rough-textured Ben Day dots add electricity to Portis’ inventive, vibrantly hued illustrations. Omek and Yelfred resemble jewel-toned, sprouting pea seeds, with added antennae, arms, legs, and fangs, and the landscape of Boborp owes something to Dr. Seuss. All in all, this will be a valuable instructional title as well as a diverting readaloud selection. JH - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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