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Oliver Jeffers
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The Way Back Home Hardcover – Picture Book, April 10, 2008

by Oliver Jeffers (Author, Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,394 ratings
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From the illustrator of the #1 smash hit The Day the Crayons Quit comes an imaginative tale of friendship in a world where what makes us different isn't nearly as important as what makes us the same.

When a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do: He flies it into outer space! Millions of miles from Earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake, its fuel tank on empty. The boy executes a daring landing on the moon . . . but there’s no telling what kind of slimy, slithering, tentacled, fangtoothed monsters lurk in the darkness! (Plus, it’s dark and lonely out there.) Coincidentally, engine trouble has stranded a young Martian on the other side of the moon, and he’s just as frightened and alone. Martian, Earthling—it’s all the same when you’re in need of a friend.
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  1. Reading age
    2 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Book 3 of 4
    The Boy
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  6. Lexile measure
    AD590L
  7. Dimensions
    10.56 x 0.38 x 10.75 inches
  8. Publisher
    Philomel Books
  9. Publication date
    April 10, 2008
  10. ISBN-10
    0399250743
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0399250743
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this childlike fantasy, a boy finds an airplane and takes it out for a ride—to the moon, where it runs out of fuel. Just as his flashlight grows dim, a spaceship crashes, and a Martian climbs out. Initially, each fears the other, but they quickly become fast friends. Soon they’re carrying out a splendid plan to repair their spacecraft and get back to their homes. Children who know Jeffers’ Lost and Found (2006) and How to Catch a Star (2004) may recognize the distinctive figure of the boy, with his large head, sticklike legs, and striped shirt, and catch other visual references to the earlier books. Economy of line in both text and pictures combine with Jeffers’ flair for storytelling to create plenty of fine, original scenes. The deadpan text is well matched by the slightly quirky pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, which make great use of color and composition on the large, double-page spreads. An imaginative space adventure for young children. Preschool-Grade 1. --Carolyn Phelan

Review

Jeffers's latest tale [is charming]. The space theme [and the] illustrations will please every young, imaginative adventurer. -- Kirkus

The message that friends are friends whether they are near or far comes through in a warm, amusing manner. -- School Library Journal

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Philomel Books; Illustrated edition (April 10, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399250743
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399250743
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD590L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.14 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.56 x 0.38 x 10.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,394 ratings

About the author

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Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers

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Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Northern Ireland.

From figurative painting, collage and installation to illustration and award winning picture-books, Oliver Jeffers practice takes many forms.

His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in multiple cities, including the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Brooklyn Museum New York.

HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his picture books, now translated into over 36 languages, including The Incredible Book Eating Boy, and the New York Times Bestseller This Moose Belongs to Me and #1 New York Times Bestseller The Day The Crayons Quit.

Oliver won an Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative  work with artist and filmmaker Mac Premo. He has made art for Newsweek, The New York Times, United Airlines, TED, Nintendo, and has illustrated a a number of novels.

In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day.

Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London based Studio AKA, screening on Christmas Eve 2008 on Channel 4 in the UK and on Nickelodeon in the US and Australia.

In 2013, Jeffers illustrated the vinyl cover (a drawing of Nelson Mandela) for the U2 song "Ordinary Love". Jeffers also co-directed (with Mac Premo) the video for the U2 song "Ordinary Love".

Oliver grew up in Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

See more at www.oliverjeffers.com, or visit his instagram, facebook, and twitter @oliverjeffers

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
1,394 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

TwinMom16
5.0 out of 5 stars Oliver Jeffers is a rock star in our house!
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
Oliver Jeffers is a favorite in our house. This book is super cute. We love the illustrations, and the story is sweet. It is a nice book for bedtime reading and my boys have come to recognize Oliver's wonderful illustrations and his quirky stories. If you like this one, I also highly recommend "This Moose Belongs to Me" and "Stuck."
2 people found this helpful
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Sarah Byrnes
5.0 out of 5 stars Darling Story
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love this book. The illustrations are quirky but beautiful. It tells an adorable story of two strangers who work together to solve each other's problems, and then become friends. My 5yo loves it too!
4 people found this helpful
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Ana Lee Wade
5.0 out of 5 stars The Way Back Home
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2014
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Such another good book by Oliver Jeffers. This little boy is lost and meets an Alien while trying to find his way back home. It is delightful book and cute pictures. They become the best of friends. Highly recommend Oliver Jeffers books. Good for your library. Just by looking at the cover, you can tell it is going to be a great book. My 7 year old grandson can read it.
2 people found this helpful
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jjb
5.0 out of 5 stars and I liked the story From me
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
From my nephew: "I'd give it 10 stars if I could. Teaches you how to do teamwork together, and I liked the story
From me: The story was simple, illustrations are very nice.
One person found this helpful
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R. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Average Book
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a nice book. The illustrations are cute. The writing and story is very easy to understand. The tone of the story is calming and sweet. It's about a boy who goes to outer space, meets a Martian, and together they solve problems about how to get home. This book is for young pre-school and kindergarten children. I bought this for a 7 year old and it's too simple and young for him. But up to Kindergarten age, it's charming and sweet and a lovely gift and a nice departure from toys that break and cost a fortune.
One person found this helpful
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JB
5.0 out of 5 stars Great author, great book.
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
My grandson who is 3 absolutely loves this book! We read it everyday. He asks questions and remembers all the little details about the story. A second in our collection from the author and I will be purchasing more books for him soon.
5 people found this helpful
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Kathleen M. Huggans
5.0 out of 5 stars Oliver Jeffers captures wonder and life lessons.
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
I loved this one. Oliver Jeffers has a knack of capturing a dash of dream, a pinch of wonder, and a smidgen of valuable life lessons with his tales. His illustrations convey the heart of his stories while his words guide his readers along. I recommend this one! We'll done!!
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Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars I love that it's an actual story
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
I love that it's an actual story. So many books nowadays have just a word or two on each page. This is perfect for little ones, a sentence per page on average. Very cute story. I have several from this author, and so far all are great. Oh and check out the lost and found movie or book, super cute
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Cliente Kindle
5.0 out of 5 stars História incrível!
Reviewed in Brazil on September 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
O livro traz aventura, humor, amizade e até uma pitada de mistério. Tudo que as crianças amam! E as ilustrações são perfeitas.
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Abhishek Mantri
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely bedtime story
Reviewed in India on January 19, 2024
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Short & sweet story. My son in love with this book. Pictures are so attractive.
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Federico
5.0 out of 5 stars Que historia maravillosa
Reviewed in Spain on May 28, 2023
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Una historia estupenda como los dibujos, a mi hijo le encanta.
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MY Frau
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in Germany on December 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
My daughter loves it! Easy to read, amazing illustrations. Can't go wrong.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an amazing book! Spike the imagination of a 4yr old ...
Reviewed in Canada on December 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is an amazing book! Spike the imagination of a 4yr old incredibly. He already had the pages memorized, the next day. An airplane running out of gas, and a spaceship with a broken engine .. right down my 4 yr old’s alley !!
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