Company's Coming - Softcover

In this slyly humorous tale of visitors from outer space and a nice couple from Bellmore, we learn that the key to intergalactic human-alien relations is... spaghetti and meatballs. That and a few common courtesies. When a spaceship quietly lands next to Moe and Shirley's tool shed and two aliens ask to use the bathroom, Moe becomes slightly hysterical while Shirley tries to keep her cool. Later that evening, when Shirley's cousins arrive for a spaghetti dinner, the aliens return, bearing a gift. Meanwhile, Moe has alerted the FBI, the Pentagon, the Army, the Air Force, and the Marines. The relatives and Moe take turns fainting while Shirley politely offers her new visitors appetizers. But what is in the gift box the aliens have brought? "It's a bomb! It's gas! It's a laser!" Cousin Etta yells, before swooning again. Ever the charming hostess, Shirley slowly unwraps the gift, which, as it turns out, is none of the above.

First published in 1988, Company's Coming received several prestigious honors, including The New York Times Book Review's Notable Books and the Redbook Children's Picture Book Award. It's one of those rare books that will delight adults as well as children, passing on an easy-to-swallow message of human kindness and grace under pressure. Al Yorinks is the author of the Caldecott-winning Hey, Al, and David Small is well known for his artwork in Caldecott Honor Book The Gardener. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Arthur Yorinks is a distinguished children's book author, as well as an accomplished playwright and director. His many books include the Caldecott winner Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski, and The Miami Giant, illustrated by longtime friend and cofounder of The Night Kitchen Theater, Maurice Sendak. Visit Arthur online at arthuryorinks.com.

David Small is the author and illustrator of many picture books, including the classic Imogene's Antlers. For many years he worked as an editorial artist, his work appearing frequently in The New Yorker and The New York Times. Awarded the Caldecott Medal for So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George as well as Caldecott Honors for One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo and The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, David also wrote and illustrated the National Book Award Finalist Stitches: A Memoir. He has collaborated on several acclaimed books with Sarah Stewart, including The Library. He and Ms. Stewart are married and live in Michigan. You can find him online at davidsmallbooks.com.