The Unlikely Diary of Prince Kal the Alien

By Ross Welford

Illustrated by Harry Bridge

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Ross Welford is a popular author of light-hearted middle grade novels such as Time Travelling with a Hamster. Here is the start of a brand-new series that is the familiar combination of likeable characters in zany situations.

Prince Kal and his pet Gree is hurtled from his home, the land of Imaginaria when he stepped into the Anywhere Cabinet. He lands on a beach in Northumberland. The locals, hairy smelly giants (that’s us), try hard to look after him but they do not understand that he is a prince, that he needs to find his lost pet and that he needs the Cabinet to find his way home. Many misunderstandings ensue all carefully recounted in Kal’s diary, thus giving us a view of our customs, speech, society in general from an alien perspective which can be very funny.

The situations and humour here is such as will delight readers aged 8+. Welford keeps the action fast-paced, the jokes are plentiful and it’s all a bit crazy but underpinned by themes of friendship, family, loyalty and courage.

An enjoyable adventure enlivened by numerous black and white illustrations that perfectly capture the mood and tone of the diary. It is the first in a series so we can look forward to many more adventures featuring Prince Kal.

HarperCollinsChildrensBooks 2025

Ross Welford