I just stumbled upon this incredibly thoughtful review for EscapePeas on LibraryThing.
For anyone who knows that feeling of hacking away in solitude on something that you have no way of knowing whether or not anyone will actually “get it,” then you know this feeling that I am currently experiencing! Wow! To the moon and back!
Here’s the review in full, written by the incredibly thoughtful Maynard S. Clark:
When Space Peas Land on Earth: A Delightful Tale of Resilience
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)
EscapePeas is pure joy wrapped in rhyme and whimsy. Dr. Sam and J.L. McCreedy have created something special here—a picture book that manages to be simultaneously silly and surprisingly profound.
The premise is wonderfully absurd: advanced space peas, fleeing a black hole, accidentally crash-land on Earth instead of their home planet. Stranded in an Italian pea-farming village, they must figure out how to survive among the “people” while slowly building a new spaceship to get home. What could have been a simple fish-out-of-water story becomes something richer—a meditation on adaptability, community, and finding home in unexpected places.
The rhyming text has a playful rhythm that begs to be read aloud. Lines like “P is for Persistence!” and “Strange is great! Strange is grand!” become little mantras of resilience that kids will internalize without realizing they’re learning life lessons. The peas encounter obstacle after obstacle—tar pits, dark forests, confused royalty—but they problem-solve their way through each challenge with creativity and teamwork.
J.L. McCreedy’s illustrations are charming and detailed, rewarding multiple readings. Each pea has a distinct personality conveyed through their various hats and expressions, and the Italian village setting is rendered with warmth and character. My favorite spread shows the peas building their makeshift glider from twigs and cloth—a visual reminder that resourcefulness matters more than resources.
What I love most is the book’s gentle message about belonging. When the “Queen of Peas” (actually just a festival organizer in costume) tells them their true home is “with the ones you hold dear,” it reframes their entire journey. They’re not failures for missing their target—they’ve found something better.
The educational back matter is a bonus: Dr. Sam’s Pea Facts are genuinely fascinating (peas are acrobats!), and the Glossary of Super Words reinforces the resilience vocabulary woven throughout the story.
Perfect for ages 5-9, EscapePeas delivers humor, heart, and a growth mindset message that never feels preachy. Highly recommended for any child learning that detours aren’t disasters—they’re just different adventures.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
