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Aliens are Coming!
  • Published: 15 April 2010
  • ISBN: 9780385736787
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $17.99

Aliens are Coming!

The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast

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This is a very funny and young nonfiction picture book about Orson Welles's 1938 radio broadcast of the War of the Worlds, which duped much of the country into believing that martians were invading the US (first landing in New Jersey, of course!). Meghan's aliens are not too scary (reminiscent of the aliens on Sesame Street) as they take over the US with their spaceships. She has included factual information about the history and importance of radios in the 1930s and why people actually believed aliens were invading (imagine if Wolf Blitzer pulled a similar stunt today!). Meghan has also included an author's note with facts about Orson Welles, and H.G. Wells (author of the novel on which the broadcast was based).

A picture-book account of one of the most famous pieces of radio history!

* “Sandwiched between a look at Depression-era radios and a set of fanciful period advertisements, McCarthy delivers a semi-serious account of the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast, illustrating both passages from the script and briefly told descriptions of widespread panic with smudgy cartoon scenes featuring bug-eyed monsters and equally bug-eyed people. The author closes with a substantial note that analyzes the broadcast’ immediate and long-term effects, points out that the announcers repeatedly admitted that they were presenting a drama during the broadcast, mentions several later revivals here and internationally and notes the response of H.G. Wells himself to the original production. She has also set up an invitingly designed Web site with an array of relevant links.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

An ALA–ALSC Notable Children’s Book

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

An IRA–CBC Children’s Choice

A Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice

A 2006 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • Published: 15 April 2010
  • ISBN: 9780385736787
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $17.99
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About the author

Meghan McCarthy

Meghan McCarthy is the author-illustrator of Astronaut Handbook and Strong Man, which received three starred reviews and was selected as a Society of Illustrators best illustrated book. She resides in Brooklyn, New York.

MM

Also by Meghan McCarthy

My Little Pony The Movie Adaptation
My Little Pony When Cutie Calls
Astronaut Handbook
Strong Man
See all

Praise for Aliens are Coming!

"A unique treatment of a fascinating topic, and sure to have wide appeal." -School Library Journal (starred)
"It's hard to imagine a plot packed with more crowd-pleasing elements than the story of Orson Welles's "War of the Worlds" broadcast." -The New York Times Book Review
"Chock-full of drama both imagined and real, this compact account with numerous visual clues to help readers distinguish between fiction and real life will surely keep all eyestalks-er, eyes-riveted." -The Horn Book
"What an inventive style the inimitable McCarthy possesses!" -The Carolina Herald