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In this slyly humorous tale of visitors from outer space and a nice couple from Bellmore, we learn that the key to intergalactic human-alien relations is... spaghetti and meatballs. That and a few common courtesies. When a spaceship quietly lands next to Moe and Shirley's tool shed and two aliens ask to use the bathroom, Moe becomes slightly hysterical while Shirley tries to keep her coo... More

In this slyly humorous tale of visitors from outer space and a nice couple from Bellmore, we learn that the key to intergalactic human-alien relations is... spaghetti and meatballs. That and a few common courtesies. When a spaceship quietly lands next to Moe and Shirley's tool shed and two aliens ask to use the bathroom, Moe becomes slightly hysterical while Shirley tries to keep her cool. Later that evening, when Shirley's cousins arrive for a spaghetti dinner, the aliens return, bearing a gift. Meanwhile, Moe has alerted the FBI, the Pentagon, the Army, the Air Force, and the Marines. The relatives and Moe take turns fainting while Shirley politely offers her new visitors appetizers. But what is in the gift box the aliens have brought? "It's a bomb! It's gas! It's a laser!" Cousin Etta yells, before swooning again. Ever the charming hostess, Shirley slowly unwraps the gift, which, as it turns out, is none of the above.

First published in 1988, Company's Coming received several prestigious honors, including The New York Times Book Review's Notable Books and the Redbook Children's Picture Book Award. It's one of those rare books that will delight adults as well as children, passing on an easy-to-swallow message of human kindness and grace under pressure. Al Yorinks is the author of the Caldecott-winning Hey, Al, and David Small is well known for his artwork in Caldecott Honor Book The Gardener. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

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