Astrid, the Au Pair from Outer Space [Illustrated] [Paperback]

When Harry Henderson's mum announces that she wants to employ an au pair, he is none too pleased. However, when he meets Astrid he realises very quickly that there is something very special about her - he just can't quite pinpoint what it is. Her endless questions about Harry and his baby brother, her strange manner and her peculiar inquisitiveness about the simplest of things make him wonder exactly what she is up to. But when Astrid tells her young charge that she is an alien from a planet 500 light-years away, and that her special, moving suitcase doubles up as a spaceship, Harry realises that, just like Mary Poppins with her special carpetbag, she might go away again all too soon...

Emily Smith's gently funny novel is beautifully observed and is written with a tender humour that allows all the characters to behave naturally both within their home environment and with each other. It also captures the wide-eyed innocence of children, and their willingness to accept the extraordinary with a curiosity that is at once endearing and awe-inspiring, making mere adults feel foolish for ever believing that things are as straightforward as they seem.

But, ultimately, Astrid, the Au Pair from Outer Space is a story of one family's life, briefly touched by the presence of a very special au pair, and is a clearly written, uncomplicated book for children who are just beginning to gain confidence in their reading abilities and who are looking for a strong story line to keep them hooked as their self-assurance grows. (Ages 6-8 years) --Susan Harrison

A funny and imaginative tale about a most unusual au pair - perfect for newly confident readers.

When Harry’s mum tells him they are going to get an au pair, he isn’t quite sure what it means. When he finds out it’s a girl to help look after him and baby brother, Fred, he feels a bit suspicious. It might just be a good excuse for the school bully to tease him. However, he soon warms to Astrid when she turns up and especially when she gives him an idea that stops the bully from ever bothering him again. All the same, Harry can’t help wondering why Astrid’s never heard of tin openers or Coke, and how come her suitcase can move around by itself

Imagine being looked after by an alien from outer space... When Harry's mum says they're getting an 'au pair' from another country, he's not quite sure what to expect. When Astrid, who lives on a planet 500 light years away, decides to work as an 'au pair' on Earth, she's not quite sure what to expect. What Harry definitely doesn't expect is a girl whose suitcase moves on its own, whose hair sticks out like a dandelion clock and who doesn’t know what football is. And Astrid is very surprised to find that Harry's family has a special gadget for opening tins and that his little brother Fred isn't a girl!

Emily Smith is a journalist and mother of three children. Her very first children's book, ASTRID THE AU PAIR FROM OUTER SPACE, won the silver medal in the 6-8 age group, at the Smarties Prize 1999. Her next title for Young Corgi, THE SHRIMP, won the 6-8 age group Smarties gold medal in 2000.