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Beegu
The story of an alienated alien
Beegu's spacecraft is stranded on Earth. Now she is lost and wandering. Waiting for a rescue signal from her mother, she fails to make friends with the strange creatures she encounters. Rabbits don't seem to understand her; windblown leaves won't stay still to listen. But at last, on a school playground, Beegu discovers a group of fantastic companions who are happy to let her join their games . . . until a grownup creature spoils the fun.
Beegu's spirits are sinking lower than ever just as the mother ship arrives, in this simple, bittersweet picture book that shows us our world through the three eyes of an innocent outsider with the help of stylish art and a wry, understated text.
Beegu's spacecraft is stranded on Earth. Now she is lost and wandering. Waiting for a rescue signal from her mother, she fails to make friends with the strange creatures she encounters. Rabbits don't seem to understand her; windblown leaves won't stay still to listen. But at last, on a school playground, Beegu discovers a group of fantastic companions who are happy to let her join their games . . . until a grownup creature spoils the fun.
Beegu's spirits are sinking lower than ever just as the mother ship arrives, in this simple, bittersweet picture book that shows us our world through the three eyes of an innocent outsider with the help of stylish art and a wry, understated text.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2003
22 people are currently reading
1,139 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Deacon
22Ìýbooks77ÌýfollowersAlexis Deacon is an acclaimed author and illustrator. Beegu and Jitterbug Jam, both of which he illustrated, were named as New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year. He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
September 18, 2022
I looked through some books I had packed away to go up to the attic today, they’re all coming back to the book shelves, this one is lovely!
This was such a favourite bedtime story. Beegu is so cute, we loved this little creatures expressions.
Such a nice story about a being from another planet feeling lost and needing a friend. We loved the positive message that children generally accept differences more easily than adults and are more adaptable to change.
Beegu’s ears and eyes were so expressive! They remind me of Allie Brosh’s dog illustrations that manage to pack so much expression into a line drawing.
This is a fun, interesting and moving story with a happy ending, beautiful illustrations, colour palette and wonderful message. This story was requested again and again and again at bedtime and I never grew tired of this baby alien’s adventure.
This was such a favourite bedtime story. Beegu is so cute, we loved this little creatures expressions.
Such a nice story about a being from another planet feeling lost and needing a friend. We loved the positive message that children generally accept differences more easily than adults and are more adaptable to change.
Beegu’s ears and eyes were so expressive! They remind me of Allie Brosh’s dog illustrations that manage to pack so much expression into a line drawing.
This is a fun, interesting and moving story with a happy ending, beautiful illustrations, colour palette and wonderful message. This story was requested again and again and again at bedtime and I never grew tired of this baby alien’s adventure.
April 14, 2021
Along with by Rumer Godden, this child's picture book demonstrates the aristotelian concept of "catharsis" as well as any other work of drama/fiction I've encountered, and shows exactly how powerful children's literature can be.
July 16, 2019
When a little alien named Beegu - who looks rather like a three-eyed yellow rabbit, with long floppy ears - crash lands on Earth, she has trouble making herself understood by the locals, who seem either indifferent or unfriendly. Lost and alone, she searches for a place of shelter in this unwelcoming place, eventually finding a warm bed with a group of puppies, left in a box outside an animal shelter. But even this refuge is denied her, in the morning, when the shelter worker reacts poorly to finding this strange creature on his doorstep. Wandering once again, Beegu encounters a group of schoolchildren on the playground, who warmly welcome her into their midst - until the grownup in charge puts a stop to it. Will Beegu ever find a place to belong? Will her mother ever come for her...?
The second picture-book I have read from Alexis Deacon (the first being ) - an English author/artist whose work has been strongly recommended to me by a friend and fellow children's literature enthusiast - Beegu is a deceptively simple story, one that flawlessly blends word and image to create a poignant tale of being adrift in a strange new world. Beegu is just so cute that I want to reach into the book, and give her a big warm hug! I liked the fact that Deacon, despite making his little alien so appealing, also keeps her alien: she doesn't really understand the "rules" of this new place, trying to talk to flying leaves, and thinking that the ringing of a telephone is her mother calling. On the other hand, she does understand the important things, and when her parents eventually do rescue her, she informs them that "Earth creatures were mostly big and unfriendly, but there were some small ones who seemed hopeful."
The second picture-book I have read from Alexis Deacon (the first being ) - an English author/artist whose work has been strongly recommended to me by a friend and fellow children's literature enthusiast - Beegu is a deceptively simple story, one that flawlessly blends word and image to create a poignant tale of being adrift in a strange new world. Beegu is just so cute that I want to reach into the book, and give her a big warm hug! I liked the fact that Deacon, despite making his little alien so appealing, also keeps her alien: she doesn't really understand the "rules" of this new place, trying to talk to flying leaves, and thinking that the ringing of a telephone is her mother calling. On the other hand, she does understand the important things, and when her parents eventually do rescue her, she informs them that "Earth creatures were mostly big and unfriendly, but there were some small ones who seemed hopeful."
October 12, 2017
The absolute cutest story- discussed in a lecture about how the illustrations represent the feelings of Beegu. Would be a lovely story to share with EAL children, about how we speak different languages and some may feel the struggle of not being understood. Absolutely loved this story!! So so cute
November 26, 2011
Oh, this is so cute. Charming with a capital C.
Beegu is a very endearing character, a young alien who searches for its mother, and for local friends. I love how the children and puppies in this story are so welcoming to Beegu and it’s a big part of this story how the adults are not so welcoming. I love the happy ending. It’s so much fun seeing Beegu’s take on life on earth and its inhabitants and on its objects. It’s amusing and poignant the facts of earth life that Beegu misunderstands. The illustrations are adorable, particularly the depiction of Beegu. There are not too many words on each page, so this is suitable for the youngest child, but older children (and this adult) are likely to love it too. I am likely to remember Beegu and sad that I’m one of the oldsters Beegu will not make a point of fondly remembering.
Beegu is a very endearing character, a young alien who searches for its mother, and for local friends. I love how the children and puppies in this story are so welcoming to Beegu and it’s a big part of this story how the adults are not so welcoming. I love the happy ending. It’s so much fun seeing Beegu’s take on life on earth and its inhabitants and on its objects. It’s amusing and poignant the facts of earth life that Beegu misunderstands. The illustrations are adorable, particularly the depiction of Beegu. There are not too many words on each page, so this is suitable for the youngest child, but older children (and this adult) are likely to love it too. I am likely to remember Beegu and sad that I’m one of the oldsters Beegu will not make a point of fondly remembering.
September 25, 2023
Un libricino sull'amicizia e la diversità !
December 5, 2018
I really liked this book. It is about an alien who's spaceship landed on Earth therefore she is lost. The story is about her trying to find her way back home travelling through a city coming across what life on Earth is like. Everybody looks at her so strangely it makes her look very sad and low.
I think this book can stimulate a great discussion between children and the class teacher. They could talk about the scenery on each page and how Beegu is feeling. They could talk about the front cover and suggest what Beegu looks like/might be.
I think this book can stimulate a great discussion between children and the class teacher. They could talk about the scenery on each page and how Beegu is feeling. They could talk about the front cover and suggest what Beegu looks like/might be.
September 9, 2014
Beegu tells the tale of an adorable little three-eyed alien who unexpectedly finds herself alone on Earth after her spacecraft crash-lands, leaving her stranded. Feeling bewildered and alone as she awaits a rescue signal from her mother Beegu sets off to find friends with the strange creatures she comes across. Ignored by both the rabbits and leaves she seeks friendships from the adults she finds in the city of London, only to be dismissed. Sad and alone she finds comfort in a box of abandoned puppies outside an animal shelter but it is soon apparent that “Beegu wasn’t wanted there� when she is discovered by an adult. Beegu soon finds some children in a playground who are accepting and become her earth friends until an adult finds her and she is once again discarded. As Beegu falls asleep afraid and alone and uncertain of her future on Earth, she awakens to hear her mother calling from her UFO. She retells her Earth experience to her parents describing the earth creatures as big and unfriendly “but there were some smaller ones who seemed hopeful�. Beegu will always remember her new friends and hope they will remember her too!
This book is charming and an excellent read for KS1 children, particularly Foundation stage and for classrooms with UAL and SEN children. The beautifully simplistic illustrations convey a lot of emotion, and children and adults alike will be able to interpret when Beegu is happy and sad. The loneliness felt by Beegu is heartfelt and I believe a lot of children will be able to empathise with her emotions at being a stranger in a new environment. This book teaches the importance of being kind to others and welcoming others into a new environment. It would be an excellent book for teachers to use when welcoming new students into the classroom, encouraging the children to be considerate and make sure no one in the class feels anxious and isolated like Beegu.
This book can be used across the curriculum. It can encourage children’s creativity in art as they design and make Beegu figures, as well as making alien friends for Beegu to play with. Inspiring children’s creative writing, they can describe and create the planet where Beegu originates and describe new planets Beegu can discover with her friends.
This book is charming and an excellent read for KS1 children, particularly Foundation stage and for classrooms with UAL and SEN children. The beautifully simplistic illustrations convey a lot of emotion, and children and adults alike will be able to interpret when Beegu is happy and sad. The loneliness felt by Beegu is heartfelt and I believe a lot of children will be able to empathise with her emotions at being a stranger in a new environment. This book teaches the importance of being kind to others and welcoming others into a new environment. It would be an excellent book for teachers to use when welcoming new students into the classroom, encouraging the children to be considerate and make sure no one in the class feels anxious and isolated like Beegu.
This book can be used across the curriculum. It can encourage children’s creativity in art as they design and make Beegu figures, as well as making alien friends for Beegu to play with. Inspiring children’s creative writing, they can describe and create the planet where Beegu originates and describe new planets Beegu can discover with her friends.
October 16, 2009
Summary-
This picture book for 1st-4th graders says a lot without much print. It is about Beegu, an adorable alien, who gets lost on Earth. She doesn’t understand anything about Earth. She is lonely, confused, and sad. The pictures show her reaching out to adults only to be ignored. At one point she finds comfort with some abandoned puppies that all cuddle up to her. Then an adult from an animal shelter finds Beegu and it is obvious that, “Beegu wasn’t wanted there.� Later in the story Beegu befriends some children. They have a great time playing until a teacher gets rid of Beegu. The children don’t let Beegu leave without giving her a big hug and a toy as a present. Beegu learns her first Earth word from the children. She falls asleep with her new toy and her mother and father come in a UFO to get her. She tells them all about how the big Earth creatures were unfriendly but the small ones seemed hopeful.
Response-
The illustrations in this book are amazing. They appear to be done in water color and they are simple pictures, yet they convey a lot of emotion. When Beegu is sad her ears hang low, her eyes close, and the picture is dark. When Beegu is happy her ears stick straight up and all 3 of her eyes are wide open. These pictures make Beegu’s feelings obvious to children.
This book shows pictures of Beegu using her alien language on bunnies, trees, and leaves. When the leaves blow away the book says, “Some wouldn’t even stay to listen.� The pictures show how lonely and innocent Beegu is. I think that a lot of children could empathize with Beegu’s loneliness. You could easily use this book to talk about including others or feelings. I also think that this book would be interesting to very different kids. Girls would be attracted to Beegu’s “cuteness� and boys would like it because it is about an alien.
This book points out the difference between rigid, judgmental adults and welcoming children from an outsider’s perspective. Any reader would be able to interpret the emotions and feelings from the pictures. At the end of this book Beegu remembers “the little ones� fondly. That is a nice way to end the story.
This picture book for 1st-4th graders says a lot without much print. It is about Beegu, an adorable alien, who gets lost on Earth. She doesn’t understand anything about Earth. She is lonely, confused, and sad. The pictures show her reaching out to adults only to be ignored. At one point she finds comfort with some abandoned puppies that all cuddle up to her. Then an adult from an animal shelter finds Beegu and it is obvious that, “Beegu wasn’t wanted there.� Later in the story Beegu befriends some children. They have a great time playing until a teacher gets rid of Beegu. The children don’t let Beegu leave without giving her a big hug and a toy as a present. Beegu learns her first Earth word from the children. She falls asleep with her new toy and her mother and father come in a UFO to get her. She tells them all about how the big Earth creatures were unfriendly but the small ones seemed hopeful.
Response-
The illustrations in this book are amazing. They appear to be done in water color and they are simple pictures, yet they convey a lot of emotion. When Beegu is sad her ears hang low, her eyes close, and the picture is dark. When Beegu is happy her ears stick straight up and all 3 of her eyes are wide open. These pictures make Beegu’s feelings obvious to children.
This book shows pictures of Beegu using her alien language on bunnies, trees, and leaves. When the leaves blow away the book says, “Some wouldn’t even stay to listen.� The pictures show how lonely and innocent Beegu is. I think that a lot of children could empathize with Beegu’s loneliness. You could easily use this book to talk about including others or feelings. I also think that this book would be interesting to very different kids. Girls would be attracted to Beegu’s “cuteness� and boys would like it because it is about an alien.
This book points out the difference between rigid, judgmental adults and welcoming children from an outsider’s perspective. Any reader would be able to interpret the emotions and feelings from the pictures. At the end of this book Beegu remembers “the little ones� fondly. That is a nice way to end the story.
September 5, 2011
I have seen this story read to a class of year 2 pupils and it was totally captivating for both boys and girls. It can lead to discussions about confusion, loneliness, abandonment, getting lost and the way people treat each other. The gorgeous illustrations makes it accessible to EAL (English as an additional language)and SEN (Special Educational Needs) children and as the story is so simple it is ideal for children to act this out in role play.
Beegu is an alien who is lost on our planet and no one understands her. There is an illustration of Beegu cuddled up in a warm cardboard box with some puppies which is simply gorgeous. Beegu is lost and alone once more as she is shunned from her puppy friends by an unfriendly adult. Then she stumbles upon a playground which seemed perfect until another adult sends her on her way. Her mother finds her and, again, another wonderful illustrations shows little Beegu reunited with her parents.
Beegu is an alien who is lost on our planet and no one understands her. There is an illustration of Beegu cuddled up in a warm cardboard box with some puppies which is simply gorgeous. Beegu is lost and alone once more as she is shunned from her puppy friends by an unfriendly adult. Then she stumbles upon a playground which seemed perfect until another adult sends her on her way. Her mother finds her and, again, another wonderful illustrations shows little Beegu reunited with her parents.
September 18, 2019
Quite a sad theme throughout the story about being lost and in a foreign place on your own. The main character Beegu struggles to find someone who will 1) listen to them and 2) help them. The story unravels to reveal that although the adult humans weren’t very helpful or even nice to Beegu, the children on Earth were. This is shown as Beegu is seen to play with human toys and even given a hula hoop to keep by the children which she befriends at a school.
I felt that this book had a resemblance to E.T, a young alien that had become separated from their family and lost on, what was to them, an alien planet, however befriends a group of children and is soon to be reunited by their family. I enjoyed the style of the images, which seemed to echo through colour the mood Beegu was in throughout the story e.g. yellow surrounding the children, where Beegu seemed happy and having fun, and then dark greys and browns, where Beegu is walking along the busy sidewalk surrounded by what looks like many adults rushing by and ignoring her. Here she seems sad from the way her, what looks like ears, are drooped back like a sad dog, as well as sadness in her eyes.
There are some questions which are left unanswered as a reader such as “Why didn’t any of the people on the street seem to notice Beegu, particularly when she didn’t seem to be of their world?�, “How did her parents find here?� also “Why was Beegu on her own in the first place to have become lost and crash the ship?�. These questions could be explored with the class a discussion and/or as an opportunity for the class to create their own narrative for the reasons behind these remaining puzzles.
I felt that this book had a resemblance to E.T, a young alien that had become separated from their family and lost on, what was to them, an alien planet, however befriends a group of children and is soon to be reunited by their family. I enjoyed the style of the images, which seemed to echo through colour the mood Beegu was in throughout the story e.g. yellow surrounding the children, where Beegu seemed happy and having fun, and then dark greys and browns, where Beegu is walking along the busy sidewalk surrounded by what looks like many adults rushing by and ignoring her. Here she seems sad from the way her, what looks like ears, are drooped back like a sad dog, as well as sadness in her eyes.
There are some questions which are left unanswered as a reader such as “Why didn’t any of the people on the street seem to notice Beegu, particularly when she didn’t seem to be of their world?�, “How did her parents find here?� also “Why was Beegu on her own in the first place to have become lost and crash the ship?�. These questions could be explored with the class a discussion and/or as an opportunity for the class to create their own narrative for the reasons behind these remaining puzzles.
October 22, 2009
Beegu is a small alien who captured my heart from the start. Beegu, an adorable creature, crash-lands into planet Earth. She feels lost and scared and tries to make the best of the situation, so she attempts to make friends. She is unsuccessful when she attempts to talk to the trees, leaves and rabbits. Beegu finally finds some comfort when she curls up with several puppies in a box until a human tosses her out. Then she encounters young kids on the playground who accept her as a friend; that is until a teacher comes and kicks her off the playground. Poor Beegu! The rest of the story offers good lessons on friendship and parental teaching as Beegu is redeemed in the end.
This simple and delightful picture book will be a story your entire class can relate to. The book is geared for younger elementary students, but it is the illustrations that are extraordinary and make this book an excellent read. The images of Beegu are a great aid to the readers in seeing just how different Beegu is and why he is having such difficulty in our world making friends. It is a great book to use to teach acceptance, being different and friendship. Beegu is outta this world!
This simple and delightful picture book will be a story your entire class can relate to. The book is geared for younger elementary students, but it is the illustrations that are extraordinary and make this book an excellent read. The images of Beegu are a great aid to the readers in seeing just how different Beegu is and why he is having such difficulty in our world making friends. It is a great book to use to teach acceptance, being different and friendship. Beegu is outta this world!
February 8, 2017
Beegu is an all round great book. Although the plot is relatively simple- alien lands on Earth, tries to find friends, rescued by parents, tells them about her short time on Earth- there is so much that can be taken from this and the poignant pictures on each page. The pictures are very well done with the format changing page-to-page, some are a comic strip style, others have a small illustration and others take up the whole page.
The story could be used to teach children about those who are different and don't fit in as easily as others, and the importance of making people feel welcome, as throughout the book the idea of loneliness is repeated and presented through the text and pictures, making the reader empathise with Beegu. I would be interested to know why Beegu was travelling alone in the first place, as she appears to be a child, and how she ended up crashing onto Earth.
The story could be used to teach children about those who are different and don't fit in as easily as others, and the importance of making people feel welcome, as throughout the book the idea of loneliness is repeated and presented through the text and pictures, making the reader empathise with Beegu. I would be interested to know why Beegu was travelling alone in the first place, as she appears to be a child, and how she ended up crashing onto Earth.
November 23, 2018
Beegu is a bright yellow, strange looking creature from another planet who somehow gets lost on earth. She is scared, lonely and confused and begins to wander around the near by city in hope to find some friends to care for her. The only friends she can find are a litter of puppies in a school yard filled with children. Unfortunately a dog shelter owner and a primary school teacher put a stop to her adventure in the school and again is left to be alone. After a while of being isolated from creatures the same as her, a big ship which had her parents in, came to rescue her. She then went on to tell them all the adventures she encountered over the last few days. I really like how this book is so relatable to children who all know what it feels like to loose parent or family member in a shop ect and therefore can really connect to how Beegu is feeling.
September 19, 2018
I loved this book! It is a truely wonderful and emotional story from start to finish. Beegu is a little alien that gets lost on Earth and is left frightened and alone. She tries to comunicate and form friendships although she is often pushed away, due to her being misunderstood and different. Finally she finds some children on the playground that welcome her, suggesting that children are much more open- minded as they have fewer misconceptions. An important book which could be used for so many different ages and abilities especially as mentioned bellow with SEN and EAL children.
September 25, 2018
This was a lovely read, accompanied by some wonderful illustrations. Beegu experiences different environments/places on earth and expresses different feelings throughout his stay on earth. This creates many discussion points. A great book for primary aged children.
January 28, 2019
Great for KS1 and English. Art work is great, can really imagine what Beegu may be feeling. Lots of discussion to follow.
September 17, 2019
Very well written book. Lots to think about and can create a lot of class activities from it.
September 17, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and lovely moral to the story!
Links to feeling lost, alienated, EAL/new pupils, 'stranger danger', social anxiety, new friendships etc.
Links to feeling lost, alienated, EAL/new pupils, 'stranger danger', social anxiety, new friendships etc.
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February 2, 2018The central plot of this story was of an alien lost on a new planet (earth). The Alien who felt lonely and scared tried to seek companionship from the people on earth. Yet, many people rejected the Alien, because he was ‘different�. At last, the lonely Alien found a small group of children, who accepted the Alien regardless his differences. Nevertheless, fear of others drives the Alien away. In the end the Alien finds their mother and explains how earth people are cruel and rejecting but suggested there was still an opportunity for change.
This particular story focuses on equality and diversity. It suggests that by accepting others who appear different could help them to feel safe, and secure. Furthermore, it suggests perceptions can be changed and if others can accept someone, we can do the same.
This particular story focuses on equality and diversity. It suggests that by accepting others who appear different could help them to feel safe, and secure. Furthermore, it suggests perceptions can be changed and if others can accept someone, we can do the same.
February 2, 2018
The Story centres around an Alien coming to Earth and finding it difficult to find a place to fit in; with everywhere he goes, he is turned away and rejected. Luckily, he is welcomed in by school children before returning home to his parents.
The story is a great one to use with all ages, with the lesson behind it being to accept everyone for who they are. With this message behind it, I feel it can be read to any children whether they are four or eleven, there can be clear discussions after and during the story in terms of their comprehension of it and what the important factors were.
The story is a great one to use with all ages, with the lesson behind it being to accept everyone for who they are. With this message behind it, I feel it can be read to any children whether they are four or eleven, there can be clear discussions after and during the story in terms of their comprehension of it and what the important factors were.
October 5, 2018
The cutest story book teaching children about acceptance as Beegu (the little alien character) becomes stranded on earth. Away from his mother, he seeks to find a sense of belonging across different environments on earth. The illustrations beautifully demonstrate the different emotions Beegu feels throughout the story, with his ears moving up and down just like a puppy dog when they’re happy or sad.
September 18, 2019
I enjoy reading and using this book to work with children. The story about the creature Beegu landing on earth and not knowing where his family are, he is just searching for someone to accept him. The illustrations are brilliant and therefore useful to look at with children because they link clearly with the story and can express emotions to children. It can show children to importance of accepting everyone.
January 27, 2014
This is a sweet, touching story about a young rabbit-like alien who is stranded on Earth and looking for her mother. The narrative is short and the illustrations really help tell the story of a lost and scared youth who is just looking for some kindness and help as she searches for her family. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
October 20, 2017
This story is just so endearing. I love it when Beegu finds some friends, the puppies and snuggles up happily with them, and the scene with the children. Beautiful illustrations of children. I love the scene where she is reunited with her parents and she retells her experiences in her special language, the pictographs are great in her speech bubble.
January 17, 2019
Beegu a curious creatures searches earth for his mother and meets friends on the way soon he realises that earth is not the place for him. He soon notices that he belongs up in space. The book was intriguing because the character is not probably introduced and therefore it leaves the reader thinking what kind of creature beegu is .
October 12, 2017
Wonderful book that really encourages the imagination. Children can indentify with the main character as she feels lost and looking for her mum. The illustrations are enchanting and you get lost in the pitcures.
November 6, 2017
This is a lovely picture book about feeling isolated and not belonging. Having only a sentence or two on each page really draws the reader into the pictures which are a good talking point for how Beegu is feeling at different points in the book.
November 8, 2017
I connected with this book a lot, feeling left out and not knowing. The pictures really connected to words both telling the story side by side. I thought there could have been more of the story as I did not want to put it down. I enjoyed reading this story and happily read it to my class.
January 8, 2019
Lovely pictures with subtle details such as her emotions being portrayed through her ears. It has scope to be studied in drama too for children to consider her emotions and develop empathy towards her.
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