We Are Definitely Human

by X. Fang

An alien invasion story with a message about what it means to be human. When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high.

Genres: Picture Books, Aliens, Humor, Childrens, Science Fiction, Fiction, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2024

About the author

Hello! I’m X. Fang. I am a visual artist and maker of books for young readers. I was born in Taiwan, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, bounced around Brooklyn and Philly before settling down in Midcoast Maine with my husband, son, and dog.

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of quiet humour with cute illustrations, author X. Fang tells an alien invasion story with a twist. The aliens are passing by Earth and their spaceship breaks down. They meet Mr. Li who offers to help them. He takes them back to his home, feeds them, then helps them get necessary parts.

I love the gentle tone throughout this sweet story of people being kind and helpful. And it's not just Mr. Li and his wife who open their hearts, it's eventually the whole town. This was such a nice change from the usual story of people encountering something or someone different and reacting with fear and violence. Instead, there's acceptance, and a community coming together to give aid. Lovely.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious beyond all reason! PRECIOUS BEYOND ALL REASON. I was charmed by the title and the cover and artist/author's bio, and then I read the story and just died of how precious it all was . . . a treasure!

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is cute! It might take your little once or twice to ‘get it’ so be prepared to explain that the aliens, aka definitely humans, are trying to hide so they can get away safely and go home. I love how the dogs always look very suspicious (because dogs always know!) except for when suddenly there is ice cream involved. Lol.
Overall a very quick and easy book with cute, fun, large illustrations. A great children’s choice for any child from any background. If you’re European you might get an extra chuckle from this one!

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Kurt Neumaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shout out the little "European" whose job is wearing hats. I'm trying to get like you, my boy

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will definitely make you smile.

Aliens…whoops. No, nope. *shakes head* Definitely no aliens here. I meant to say mysterious guests. Yes, three mysterious guests from Europe drop by Mr. Li’s field late one night. Their ship car broke down and they need help. So, Mr. Li helps. Like any kind human would. Mr. Li is definitely kind. Come see the kindness in action. Come meet the visitors. They’re definitely human. :)

I loved this book—from the fluorescent pink colors to the dog’s hilarious facial expressions to the huge heartfelt message. It's an utter joy to read!

Highly recommended. There’s lots of silliness and lots of love for all here. Come see!

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A farmer happens upon some people who are definitely human and have had a vehicular breakdown in the middle of the night. It's funny in a silly way and also heartwarming to see kindness extended and the Golden Rule in action.

This would be a better training manual for ICE than whatever godless handbook they're currently operating under.

[Natalie Pietro · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could you not love a book about friendly aliens who love hot pink and just want to get their car fixed. So stinking cute. We will definitely venture into this book again.

[Lauren | Wordsbetweenlines · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ / 5⭐️/ 5 ⭐️

I like the book because it has cool aliens and it showed space and I like space because it has planets. And I like the book because they are soo nice. They were aliens that said they were humans! They weren’t from Europe, they are from space! It was so funny .

I liked it because even if they don’t know who they are they helped. I liked the aliens because they were like “we are definitely humans.” And I liked the space part because they might live on a planet in the solar system.

My youngest asked for this to be read to him more than 8 times the day after we got it and he keeps yelling “definitely humans”. He is truly obsessed.

This was a VERY well received book in our family. Everyone found it funny and loved how kind the humans were. It’s a beautiful book about how we should treat others.

Thank you for the gifted copy @tundrabooks. 🤍🤍

[Bente Pompen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Are Definitely Human is DEFINITELY a fun book! When three creatures appear in Mr. Li’s field and proclaim to be DEFINITELY human and that their car broke down, Mr. Li doesn’t give it a second thought and invites them into his house to help repair their car. This book shows kindness and a lack of judgment toward others. No questions are asked; everyone is just happy to help three DEFINITELY humans in need.

It’s a funny picture book with amazing illustrations. I received this as an ARC, so it might not be fully finished, but I think the illustrations would stand out even more if the text were integrated into the illustrations instead of in a white space below them.

I would DEFINITELY recommend this hilarious book!

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're definitely human, and they're from... Europe.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We’ve traveled a long way… from Europe” 😂 this is super adorable! When aliens crash their ship, they find that humans are more than willing to help out. What a sweet little picture book

[Brooke Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

aww this was so cute. I loved it!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I liked the plot, I loved the simplicity of the illustrations. I love that humans suspended belief and accepted the aliens as human.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But Mr. Li was a kind human,
and he did what kind humans do.
He offered to help.”

I LOVE the message of this book! 🩵

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love X. Fang's illustration style.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a book that you’ll read with a smile on your face the entire time, this is the one.

You can read it to your kids, sure, but reading it to yourself is also an option! It’s perfect for all ages, entertaining with a silly story while touching upon a deeper implication regarding helping others.

I am immensely grateful to Tundra Books for my copy. All opinions are my own.

We Are Definitely Human will be out on August 6, 2024.

[Theo Scully · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm obsessed with this book, i need to do a storytime with this IMMEDIATELY

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

One evening a spaceship crashes near Mr. and Mrs. Li's home. The three visitors insist that they are humans from Europe and are having car trouble. Although it's obvious to the Lis and their neighbors that they aren't from Europe, the three strangers are still helped and are eventually able to continue their journey. This is an uplifting story about greeting the stranger with radical hospitality and generosity. A wonderful picture book for all ages!

"But wherever they went, they would remember kind humans and do what kind humans do -- offer help to those in need."

[Ameema S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh-out-loud hilarious, this is a DELIGHTFUL, charming, and adorably illustrated story that little ones will LOVE, as will the grown ups reading with them. The story is funny, and silly, and the illustrations leave the reader feeling like they're in on a joke.

Perfect for fans of Mr. S: A First Day of School Book I can see this becoming a new classic, like If You Happen to Have A Dinosaur and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano To the Beach, Don't! especially in the ways it brings the readers along on a zany and hilarious story. I can't wait to read this again!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, picture book story for kids just starting to read. It is about a trio of blue and purple aliens who turn to a farmer and his wife for help after a crash landing in their field. No worries though, because they are "definitely human," despite their blue and purple appearance and strange mannerisms that little kids will find funny. They claim to be from Europe and are here to make business and "sports ball" and have good times all around. It is recommended for kids ages 4 and up. My only complaint is that the book is really too short! I am giving it four stars.

[Regine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text and illustrations are pitch-perfect; I just kept laughing all the way through. When self-proclaimed humans from Europe need help fixing their car, the local folk help out, ignoring the fact that their visitors are blue, behave differently, and have a saucer-shaped car. The kindness of humans is key.

[Ashleigh Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.
I can't wait to add this one to our library. Three "definitely human" visitors arrive at Mr. Li's home in the middle of the night. They need help repairing their vehicle and learn that kind humans help when others need it.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When three DEFINITELY HUMANs who are certainly from EUROPE crash to earth in their CAR, a community of kind earthlings help them find their way home.

Unexpectedly charming and an excellent read-aloud, even for slightly older kids.

[Blue]

This was delightful! The story was sweet and funny and every single character was charming and interesting! I loved the politeness at pretending the aliens were humans and the dog being so done with everything was the best! The art is gorgeous, I definitely recommend it!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous and charming, with great illustrations -- I love the neons with the dark backgrounds. This would definitely be a preschool story time fave.

[SassieMolassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book with great humor. I really enjoyed it.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick delight. The expression on the dog's face throughout - classic!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny tale of kindness - perfect for Inclusive Schools Week

[Sai · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved

[Cory Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger