In the early 1970s, as a kid, I came across an extraordinary cloth-bound picture book: The story of a girl from another planet–a girl whose hair is made of actual gold. She is befriended by a young Earth boy who learns her secret, and tries to help her get away from bad guys who want to lock her up and harvest her hair.
The illustrations were photographs (or else very photo-realistic drawings).
I was fascinated by this little sci-fi tale. Years later I went back looking for it, and it was long gone.
I suspect it was not a new book even in the early 70s. It had the wear and tear of something that had been in circulation for years.
I would be grateful and astonished if you can find a title and author for this book!
Martin and His Friend from Outer Space, by Ivo Duka and Helena Kolda. Harper, 1955. “This time Martin has constructed a play-radio set, and to his amazement tunes in one of Saturn’s moons. He contacts a young girl there who not only speaks perfect English so that she is able to tell him all about the fabulous moons of Saturn, but also manages to be transported to this planet where she andMartin spend a day exploring New York, including a trip to Coney Island. They have an adventure with an unsavory character who tries to get the girl’s gold hair (it is real gold), but the children manage to evade him and start the girl safely on her way back to her Saturnian moon.” (Bulletin of the Centre for Children’s Books)
Holy cow–Mama Squirrel, you did it! That is absolutely it. Case closed! I am amazed and gratified. Thank you for solving this mystery.
I read this book in grade school when it was fairly new-1956. I have tried for years to remember the name of the book. I think the girl’s name was Alpha (something).