Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Alienology
Illustrator: Gary Blythe , Douglas Carrel , Jonny Duddle , Fred Gambino
Novelty Picture Book Series
For ages 8 and up
Candlewick Press, 2010 ISBN: 978-0763645656
On July 20, 1969 humans set foot on the moon for the first time. Not surprisingly, this event led some people to start thinking about space in a new way. They began to wonder if there were other sentient beings out there sharing our galaxy, or perhaps living beyond those boundaries. The government wants us to think that we are alone. We are not. In fact, there are aliens living right here on Earth hiding among us. Professor Allen Gray, the Director of S.P.A.C.E. (The Society for the Promotion of Alien Contact with Earth) met some of these beings and made friends with one alien in particular. He was a Gray alien called Alpha and he came from the plant Reticulon.
For years S.P.A.C.E kept its existence a secret, but this is a luxury it can longer afford. An invasive and deadly alien species called S.L.I.M.E. is crossing the galaxy and it could well come to Earth in the not too distant future. Dr. Allen Gray feels that the only way we humans can protect our planet is to recruit people to join S.P.A.C.E so that more suitable people are made aware of the threat.
This book was put together by Dr. Allen Gray, with the help of his alien friend, so that S.P.A.C.E. recruits could learn about alien species, their worlds, their technologies, their mode of communication and more. It is a guidebook of sorts and it also serves to verify a lot of stories that people once thought were hoaxes and myths.
The book begins with a basic introduction to alienology. Potential alienologists are then given an excellent course in astronomy and they also learn how aliens change planets they colonize through a process called terraforming. The author then goes into basic alien biology and physiology, he looks at different alien species (both humanoid and technological) and then he presents us with an excellent guide to alien species so that we can see what they look like and how big they are.
Next we look at alien settlements, technology, and communication. Naturally the aliens who choose to wander around our planet have to disguise themselves, and the author shows us how to identify them. Though most aliens are peaceful, we do need to accept that some species are warlike and dangerous. We need to know about the threat to be able to protect ourselves from it.
At the end of the book, or rather at the end of the alienology course, the author reveals some secrets that are rather shocking in nature. Cadets will come to appreciate how important it is that they do their part to befriend friendly aliens, and protect themselves from those who would like to take over our planet.
Packed with wonderful illustrations, novelty features, booklets, postcards and more, this title will delight readers of all ages who have an interest in aliens.
