Review: Valor and Victor and the Zombies from Earth by Tracy Detz

I've been looking forward to today's review with the hope that imagination flourishes on every page. It's been awhile since I've gotten my hands on a picture book about fun aliens. Of course, an alien cat is catching all on its own. The idea of adding zombies to the mix made it clear that I had to take a peek.

Time to head to space and beyond! 

VALOR AND VICTOR AND THE ZOMBIES FROM EARTH

by Tracy Detz

Illustrated by Monika Suska

Warren Publishing 

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Valor from Venus and Victor, his cat, fly to earth to cause a big spat. Scaring Earthlings is such a great treat but sadly, they learn, it's no easy feat.
These humans are dull, they're more like zombies, in love with their phones and staring at screens! To scare them, the Aliens devise a plan, that when thwarted spreads fun across the land.

Complete with whimsical illustrations, this funny and imaginative book is a reminder to kids and parents alike that there is much fun to be had on the other side of the screen.

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MY TIDBITS

Zany, spacy fun and bright illustrations meet to form imaginative scenes packed with humor and a modern message.

Valor is from Venus, and he loves to have some tricky fun. Humans can be so hilarious to scare. With his cat, he flies to Earth to cause some silly mischief, but nothing works out the way it should. The humans have all turned into zombies! Valor decides it's time to help them escape their fate, but isn't sure it will work.

The illustrations in this one invite to fun, space silliness. Each scene pops of the page with bright, bold colors and very bubbly scenes. It's light-hearted, humorous, and packed with imagination. Even the scenes on Earth hold a light, positive aura, while an important, modern-day message sneaks right in. Every page invites to smiles and space dreams.

The text is written in rhyme, flowing a bit whimsical as it allows the tale to unfold. The words are suited to ages 4 and up and can be read by readers, who are more sure of their words. The rhymes spin cleverly and, mostly, in a natural beat, making them great for a read aloud.

The message in this one gets pretty clear the moment zombies start ruining Valor's fun. It's one that fits today's lifestyle well and is just as focused on adults (if not even more so) than the young listeners. While the message is strong and impossible to overlook, the silliness keeps it from becoming too preachy. Young readers/listeners will wish they could meet Valor and Victor themselves and dream of what aliens might visit them, too.