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Marty

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Marty

Hardcover

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Overview

An alien makes an unexpected friend in this irresistible picture book about finding your place in the universe.

A Golden Duck Notable Picture Book

Marty is a tiny green Martian who lives here on Earth. You've never noticed him before, because he is undercover . . . Marty wears disguises and studies human behavior in order to fit in. He is always watching, learning, and laughing.

And then one day, after much preparation, Marty gets a job! He loves to watch his customers, and he even makes some friends. But Marty knows he can never reveal his secret. Humans are terrified of Martians.

When his cover gets blown, Marty needs somewhere safe to go. Who will see beyond his strange, green looks to show him kindness?

This adorable story of an outsider with a good heart reminds readers that everyone needs a place to call home—and a friend for company. Zoey Abbott's colorful art, full of elaborate costumes and whimsical details, pops against Rachel Nobel's spare, sweet text. With its charming way of promoting inclusivity, the book makes for a perfect companion to All Are Welcome.

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823446629
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	07/06/2021
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.84(w) x 11.32(h) x 0.37(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Rachel Noble has worked as a producer, journalist, and presenter for many years. Her debut picture book, Finn's Feather, was illustrated by Zoey Abbott. She lives in Australia with her family, where she is always watching, learning, and laughing. Visit her at http://rachelnobleauthor.com/.

Zoey Abbott's picture books include Over the Moon, Twindergarten, and Finn's Feather. After graduating from Smith College with a degree in Women's Studies and History, she spent four years living and painting in Japan. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, kids, and a large dog named Carrots. Visit her at https://www.zoeydraws.com/.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

05/03/2021
In this book by two previous collaborators (Finn’s Feather), Marty is a short, green humanoid creature with a toothy smile. He’s a Martian, a term he prefers to alien, and a fan of “watching, learning, and laughing.” In voiceover-style narration, Marty explains that he has to disguise himself on Earth, and a vignette pictures the prospect of his discovery, which involves coffee shop customers fleeing in horror. Abbott conjures up the details of Marty’s undercover life: his home in and around a tree (“Look at his wardrobe of costumes”) and his job hunt (“Marty can fool anyone”). Yet despite manifold efforts to blend in, the Martian is lonely, and when he dresses up one night as a rock musician and performs onstage, “Marty did not blend in. This made him STAND OUT!” Happily, when people track him down after the event, a loyal friend offers a safe new home. Abbott delivers lots of the punch lines visually, including Marty in tighty-whities, frustrated that he can’t find the right costume. Underneath the Martian theme, this bubbly fable by Noble embraces being oneself as, far from frightening others, Marty finds out that he doesn’t have to hide. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Essie White, Storm Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. (July)

Publishers Weekly

12/24/2021
K-Gr 2—Marty is a friendly little neon green alien who dwells on Earth. Marty loves to dress up and hangs his wardrobe in a giant tree. In fact, he makes his own outfits. Often in disguise, Marty has become an expert at walking among humans without being noticed. He even takes a job as a barista and gets to know the regulars' orders. Sometimes, Marty's creativity causes him to be a bit more daring, like dressing up as a rock star. The only problem with being a rock star is that it gets you noticed in a big way. Not good. Marty just needs a good friend and a place to call home. Human characters in the story are predominantly white. The illustrations are humorous in nature and appear to be done in watercolor and ink. VERDICT A light read that will have readers laughing at the quirky ways Marty does life on Earth. Suggested for libraries where little alien lovers hover.—Tracy Cronce, Stevens Point Pub. Sch. District, WI

School Library Journal

2021-05-19
Marty, a small Martian, acclimates to Earth with the help of a considerate human.
Marty, who dislikes being called an “alien,” lives “undercover.” In order to avoid being spotted as the outsider he is, he becomes a “master of disguises.” The gag for readers is that, despite his elaborate costumes, no one ever quite calls him out on his green skin: “Marty can fool anyone” in the diverse community where he lives. (These costumes include occupations and activities: cowboy togs, business suit, and swimsuit, among others; the kimono, which indicates an assumption of racial identity, is an unfortunate misstep.) A joyous costume parade makes him feel included, if only momentarily. When he dresses as a rock star and performs at an open-mic event, he rises to fame—only to have his true identity discovered by the paparazzi. An attentive, compassionate White child in the community steps in to help (“I think we can fix this”) by inviting Marty to move in (after securing parental permission) and safeguarding Marty as he begins to move through his community as the Martian he is. The brightly colored cartoon illustrations are inviting, and there’s abundant situational humor—Marty watches movies to learn how humans behave, for instance. The protagonist is an endearing, empathetic character, and the book’s resolution is genuinely touching. That a bystander steps in to seek and ultimately provide “a safe place” for Marty serves as a superb example of allyship, all wrapped up in an entertaining story that makes its point gracefully.
Charming. (Picture book. 4-10)

Kirkus Reviews

"This satisfying and surprisingly tender story beams an encouraging message about acceptance to young Earthlings (and to undercover Martians)." —The Horn Book

"The protagonist is an endearing, empathetic character, and the book’s resolution is genuinely touching. That a bystander steps in to seek and ultimately provide 'a safe place' for Marty serves as a superb example of allyship, all wrapped up in an entertaining story that makes its point gracefully. Charming." —Kirkus Reviews

"This is a heartwarming story about accepting others for who they are, no strings attached; it celebrates the fun that ensues when you do."—Foreword Reviews

"With delicate, expressive lines and effective use of color, the illustrations engage viewers while providing hints regarding Marty’s identity before it's stated in the text. Noble, an Australian writer, captures Marty’s loneliness, yearning, and eventual happiness in a story that is well suited to reading aloud. By showing one outsider’s viewpoint, this pleasing picture book encourages openness toward others who are different."—Booklist

"Underneath the Martian theme, this bubbly fable by Noble embraces being oneself as, far from frightening others, Marty finds out that he doesn’t have to hide."—Publishers Weekly

"Rachel Noble and Zoey Abbott’s Marty is a charming story of acceptance, friendship and finding home."—BookPage

"Abbott’s whimsical line and watercolor art is bound to invoke more than a few laughs; background details, such as Marty’s home tree filled with his costumes and treasured possessions, add to the humor and the potential for new insight upon rereading. The outlandishness of the story contributes to the fun as it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it has positive implications for making friends with those who feel left out of social circles."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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