Product Description

In the hours before his brother is born, eight year old Joe has an unusual visitor, Mika, who falls out of a spaceship and lands upside down in an apple tree in Joe's garden. Hens, dinosaurs, an astronaut and a white rabbit all play their part in this magical story in which the encounter between Earth-boy and alien opens up the wonders of the universe. Tender and enchanting as The Little Prince and with the same classic quality, HELLO? IS ANYBODY THERE? confirms Jostein Gaarder as an exceptional writer for children. Sally Gardner's lively pencil drawings on almost every page make this a delightful package.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39328 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08-03
• Original language: Norwegian
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
In this book about the wonder of life by the author of Sophie's World, eight-year-old Joe is about to become a big brother. His mother is in labour at the hospital when he looks outside and sees a little boy hanging upside down in an apple tree. It's Mika, who has just fallen out of a spaceship. Mika is from Eljo, where children hatch out of eggs and life in general is quite different from what Joe knows. Mika and Joe become instant friends and spend the day discussing everything from dinosaurs and gravity to the origins of life on Earth. The next morning Mika is gone, but Joe has a new-found appreciation for the wonders of the universe--and a baby brother!

Illustrated with whimsical line drawings--and framed by thought-provoking questions: "Can animals think?"; "what would you say if you had a visit from another planet?"--Hello? Is Anybody There? challenges readers to look at the world afresh, much in the manner of The Little Prince.

About the Author
Jostein Gaarder is the author of SOPHIE'S WORLD, a huge bestseller in over 40 countries. He was born in Oslo in 1952 and lives there now with his wife and two sons. Sally Gardner trained at art college and went on to work in the theatre, winning awards for her costume designs for some notable productions. After her twin daughters and her son were born she started to illustrate children's books, and then turned to writing. She lives in North London.

Customer Reviews

Translation
I've studied Jostein Gaarder's books a lot, and Hello... is the children's version of Gaarder's philosophy. I read the books in Danish, which is quite similar to the original language, Norwegian, and I would like to recommend readers who are able to read Norwegian, to read the book(s) in the original language. Gaarder keeps using mirrors and reflections in his books, and I can read from other reviewers work, that some of these reflections have been lost in the translation. Joe was originally named Joakim, and he kept saying "oj", when he was surprised. That makes sense, when you read Joakim backwards; Mikaoj. When he meets Mika from Eljo, maybe he just meets himself? And his baby brother's name is Mikael - perhaps pasted from Mika and Eljo? When rereading Gaarders books, try for yourself to find other reflections.

Interesting read
It's good to find a book which can inspire you to open your mind a little and to philosophise. Event if you are not a great philosopher, this is a good book to get you thinking.

Amazing Book!
I read this book when i was about 8/9 and i LOVED it, i am now 21 and still think this was one of the best books i ever read. The way it is written is so clever and enjoyable that it is hard to put down. Its simplicity is what adds to it's unusualness and i would be hard pressed to find anyone who would not agree to how brilliant this book is. Don't hesitate, put it in your basket!