Aliens in Underpants Save the World

Aliens in Underpants Save the World by Claire Freedman, illustrated by Ben Cort (Simon and Schuster)

HB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-184738969-5

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Aliens in underpants are back.  This time, the aliens are on a mission to save the world.  A huge meteorite is heading towards Earth and the aliens’ supply of underpants is under threat.  If the aliens are going to save the planet and protect their beloved underpants, they’re going to have to act fast.  Can they do it?  Can they save the day? 

From the creators of the bestselling Aliens in Underpants comes this new adventure featuring some unlikely heroes…in underpants.  The book finds the aliens in the position of needing to save the world (and all the underpants) from a giant meteor.  With quick thinking, they gather all the pants they can – including a pair of polka dotted bloomers – which they stitch together.  The result is an enormous pair of pants that the aliens stretch across the planet to bounce the meteor back into space.

Written in rhyme, the prose seems to bounce along making this a great read-aloud book for preschoolers. 

                             Aliens love underpants,

                             It’s lucky that they do,

                             For pants helped save our universe,

                             Sounds crazy, but it’s true!

Ben Cort’s illustrations are wonderful; full of colour, life and detail.  The aliens come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colours; as well as being featured in some rather garish underwear.  There are plenty of small details providing lots to see on each page: graffiti on the spaceships; hiding aliens; and underpants appearing as flags, balloons and on bumper stickers. 

Aliens in Underpants Save the World is light-hearted; a bit silly; and, above all, a really fun story. 

Claire Freedman has written many children’s books including Aliens Love Underpants, Squabble and Squawk and Follow That Bear If You Dare!  She lives in Essex with her family.  Ben Cort has illustrated for many picture books including Aliens Love Underpants, The Shark in the Dark and Muddle Jungle.  He lives in Bedfordshire with his family.