Why is the children’s mother surprised that their father is able to recite all the things on her “to do” list? How do the mother and father act as foils of one another, or characters that illuminate one another’s character traits through contrasting qualities?

What do the children consider as alternatives for breakfast and what does this suggest about their ages? How else does the book suggest the brother and sister’s ages?

Why do the aliens want to remodel the planet? How are their plans different than and similar to what humans are doing to the Earth?