Good solid science-fiction. Nice to see older women in prominent narrative positions. I don't like kids so having a toddler presumably save the day was the least credible or interesting part of this story. Otherwise, the science part is developed and well explained for a large audience. There is much time spent in labs and little focus on the societal impact of alien arrival and its consequence. So, if you like a good first contact story with emphasis on the science more than on the politics, have at it.