Friends in need

Just in time for World UFO Day — on July 2 (who knew?) — children’s musician Dinosaur O’Dell will release his engaging picture book, “Zar and the Broken Spaceship.”

This storybook version of O’Dell’s music video of the same name — and free to view on YouTube — tells the tale of three boys who come to the aid of the three-eyed interplanetary traveler and his malfunctioning vehicle, and it is told in a way that the littlest listeners will be tempted to help out, too. Kids are encouraged to push imaginary buttons on the spaceship with their finger, their elbow, and tongue — like sticking in your “left foot” in the “Hokey Pokey” song to help Zar get to his lunch date on Mars.

Illustrated by Santiago Germano — “Zar” includes a glossary with phrases in faux Space Alienese!

“Zar and the Broken Spaceship” by Dinosaur O’Dell, $15.99, www.DinoODell.com.