Kirkus Reviews- Starred Review
A young Latina is convinced her mother is an alien from another planet. While playing basketball, Sofía accidently knocks over Mamá's purse, spilling out its contents, including a card with Mamá's name and, in big, blue letters, the word "ALIEN" (or "extraterrestre"). After confirming that the card is indeed real and asking her parents additional questions, Sofía is sure that Mamá is an extraterrestrial—from outer space—and so her vivid imagination and desire to better understand take her to the library to research aliens. She cannot understand, however, why Mamá looks so humanlike. One especially effective double-page spread portrays Mamá's silhouette, hair in curlers and wearing a robe, the beam of an open fridge door casting an elongated shadow on the kitchen wall. Lacámara's fine, vibrant acrylic-and-collage illustrations dress the story in wonder and humor between colorful, golden kitchen scenes and deep, opaque extraterrestrial homages. Lacámara's subtle indicator that Mamá is a Salvadoran immigrant is by way of a thought bubble in which she stands on the map outline of El Salvador. Colato Laínez offers readers the text in both English and Spanish side by side or above and below, neatly laid out with its corresponding illustrations and folding in a primer on the immigration process besides. A delightful, original, clever, purposeful, multicultural alien tale.
Booklist
Do you believe in aliens? What if you found out they were part of your family? Laínez (My Shoes and I, 2010) creates an exceptional story about immigration with a new twist. In this bilingual picture book, Sofia accidentally finds her mamá’s resident alien card and is convinced her mother is from outer space. Sofia begins to wonder if this means that she is an alien, too, and sets out on a journey to figure it out. Through Sofia’s innocence, Laínez provides further insight into the very complicated U.S. naturalization process. This heartfelt and humorous story is perfect for primary-school readers, as well as a useful way for parents or educators to introduce the topic of immigration. An author’s note further explains the meaning of resident alien and will help readers understand the humor behind Sofia’s misunderstanding. Acrylic-and collage illustrations in cheery saturated tones showcase Sofia’s wild imaginings and the story’s joyful conclusion. For a similar tale, consider Amada Irma Perez’s My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aqui hasta alla (2002).
EFE
"Mamá la extraterrestre" del salvadoreño René Colato Laínez, relata una tierna historia de inmigración con humor y delicadeza. La pequeña Sofía descubre en la cartera de su mamá una tarjeta de identificación con la palabra "Alien" en grandes letras azules. Para la niña, esto solo podía significar que su querida madre era "¡una extraterrestre!" Sofía se pregunta si de noche su madre se transforma y sale a pasear en un platillo volador para visitar otros planetas.Cuando su mamá anuncia que el gran día de su transformación se acerca, Sofía la descubre con una mascarilla verde en el rostro y rulos en la cabeza, confirmando sus terribles sospechas. Los padres le aclaran entre risas que el gran día que se acerca es cuando su madre dejará de ser extranjera residente para convertirse en ciudadana. La historia fue ilustrada por la artista cubano-estadounidense Laura Lacámara, quien logra transmitir en sus coloridos dibujos la candidez de la niña y las sorpresas del malentendido.