Fiction "Mars Needs Moms" by Berkeley Breathed

The title of the book I chose for fiction was "Mars Needs Moms."  This book was written and illustrated by Berkeley Breathed.  The story focuses on a child who sees his mother as a burden in his life.  Aliens come to Earth and abduct his mother, but he quickly realizes that he needs his mother in his life.  The story continues with the boy journeying to outer space in search of his mom.  A lesson that can be learned from this story is that although mothers can be dreadful, they are always important in children's lives.
After reviewing the genre evaluation criteria for fiction stories, this book fits more in the fantasy subgenre.  This story does an excellent job of narrating events throughout the story.  Aliens could very well be alive in the universe today, and although very slim chances, aliens could abduct people. (I hope not)  The author paints a clear picture of an alternative world if aliens did exist.  All events in the story are imaginative as if mothers really were abducted.  The theme of this story is clearly given throughout the story and it teaches children a valuable lesson about appreciation.  Hence, this story fits the criteria for fantasy fiction.
This story fits within the respect for others category of the six elements of social justice.  As this story begins with the child disliking his mom, it goes on to show that his mom is to be respected as he needs his mother in his life. 
If I could apply this picture book to my classroom, I would do it during to help teach children to appreciate and acknowledge people in their lives, regardless of whether they like them or not, because there may come a time where they would need that person if they were to leave.