Book

Fat Men from Space

📖 Overview

Young William's teeth have turned into radio receivers that pick up transmissions about an impending invasion from outer space. The signals warn of aliens who travel in silver ships and possess an insatiable appetite for junk food. The story follows William as he tries to alert others about the approaching threat and figure out what to do. His attempts to convince adults about his special radio-teeth and the coming invasion prove challenging. At its core, this 1970s children's novel combines science fiction with themes of food, belief, and what happens when a kid knows an important truth that grownups won't accept.

👀 Reviews

Readers remember this book fondly from childhood, with many noting it sparked their early interest in science fiction. The humorous premise and black-and-white illustrations left a lasting impression. Liked: - Fast-paced story that hooks young readers - Creative blend of dentistry and aliens - Silly concept executed in an entertaining way - William's strong narration - Illustrations complement the story Disliked: - Plot feels rushed in places - Limited character development - Some find the ending unsatisfying - Book is hard to find/out of print Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (144 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (13 ratings) "This book made me laugh out loud as a kid" - Goodreads reviewer "The dental radio concept stuck with me for decades" - Amazon reviewer "Wish it was longer and went deeper into the story" - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned buying used copies to share with their children after remembering it from their own childhood.

📚 Similar books

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs A murder mystery on a lunar colony combines space exploration with food-focused details as the protagonist solves crimes while adapting to moon base cuisine.

The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth A boy's pet chicken lays an egg that hatches into a dinosaur, leading to scientific investigations and government interference.

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier A 13-year-old boy survives a monster apocalypse by living in a treehouse and raiding convenience stores for junk food.

Aliens for Breakfast by Stephanie Spinner, Jonathan Etra An alien arrives in a cereal box to help a young boy stop another alien from taking over his school through mind control.

The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks by Nancy McArthur Two brothers grow experimental plants that develop appetites for socks and create chaos in their household.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Daniel Pinkwater wrote this whimsical tale while working as an art teacher, drawing inspiration from his students' storytelling and imagination. 🍔 The book cleverly parodies 1950s science fiction movies while incorporating themes of junk food and childhood dietary restrictions. 🚀 The main character, William, discovers he can receive radio signals through his dental fillings - a creative plot device that was ahead of its time when the book was published in 1977. 🎨 The original illustrations, done by Pinkwater himself, reflect his background as a trained artist and feature his signature cartoonish style. 🌍 The story's premise of aliens who invade Earth solely to consume fast food and junk food has become increasingly relevant as discussions about global food consumption and obesity have evolved since the book's publication.