Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story

by Lucy Ruth Cummins, Lucy Ruth Cummins (Illustrator)

Overview

From the bestselling creator of Stumpkin and Vampenguin comes a whimsical picture book about the unexpected friendship that blooms between a boy and a dog of intergalactic origins.

A visitor from outer space comes to Stephen’s yard one night. It may look like a Dalmatian, but it certainly doesn’t act like one. At first, Stephen and the visitor get off on the wrong paw. They quibble over kibble, debate sleeping arrangements, and must abandon earth dogs’ approach to bathroom breaks altogether to keep the peace. Is a shared love of bacon a strong enough foundation for this ordinary earth boy and extraordinary out-of-this-world canine to learn to live in harmony?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665911955
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	294,826
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director of children’s books. She was happily paired with Jean Reidy for both Truman, which was named a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019, and Sylvie. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story, Our Pool, and A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. Lucy has swum in creeks, streams, gorges, rivers, swimming holes, pools (above- and in-ground), lakes (both Great and Finger), decorative fountains, and oceans. Her very favorite place to swim, however, is at her community pool in Brooklyn with her sons and her neighbors.

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director of children’s books. She was happily paired with Jean Reidy for both Truman, which was named a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019, and Sylvie. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story, Our Pool, and A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. Lucy has swum in creeks, streams, gorges, rivers, swimming holes, pools (above- and in-ground), lakes (both Great and Finger), decorative fountains, and oceans. Her very favorite place to swim, however, is at her community pool in Brooklyn with her sons and her neighbors.

Editorial Reviews

One night, a UFO lands in an ordinary backyard, and three green-spotted, dog-like aliens—Dalmartians—climb out and begin “collecting, bagging, and tagging specimens.” When a boy named Stephen spots them, two of the Dalmartians flee, leaving one behind. Stephen is a gracious host and invites the alien into his house, but, despite similar looks to its terrestrial kin, this dog refuses to eat regular kibble or wear a leash. Compromise leads them on a two-legged walk to the park, where the alien dog is horrified by the prodding noses and shameless potty behaviors of the Earth pups. The alien canine nonetheless bonds with Stephen, and by the time otherworldly rescue comes, Stephen has made room for the peculiarities that come paw-in-paw with an alien dog. The art is as charming and quirky as the premise—the characters are drawn in minimalist charcoal strokes with much of their emotion conveyed through body language, and the alien’s neon-green coloring pops on every page to remind viewers of its out-of-this-world origin. Details in the background, like a cat looking on horrified at a “dog” walking on two legs or the alien running water in the bathroom for extra privacy, add to the silliness. The emphasis on compromise between Stephen and his guest effectively applies to both friendship and pet ownership, with Stephen’s expectations for how a dog should act constantly adapting to the Dalmartian’s needs and vice versa. Give this picture book to imaginative kiddos who might wonder what fantastical shenanigans their adopted pets were up to before settling down with their families. NB

5/1/24 - BCCB

2024-02-03
In space, no one can hear you howl.

Deep in the dark of night, a spaceship lands in a suburban backyard, and three aliens, resembling green-spotted Dalmatians, collect samples of the local flora and fauna. Suddenly, in a scenario straight out of E.T., the visitors are interrupted in their work and accidentally end up leaving one of their own behind in their haste to flee. Fortunately, Stephen, the light-skinned boy residing in the home, is happy to invite his new guest in. As the two acclimate to each other, the guest must continually assert himself when Stephen tries to treat him like a regular dog. That means offering the guest slightly more delicious breakfasts (when the alien tries Stephen’s bacon, his ears start to look like wavy green bacon, and his eyes water with joy), as well as figuring out sleeping arrangements and dog park etiquette. The first night, the alien’s crewmates don’t return, but the second night they do. Now the visitor must decide: Where exactly is “home”? Rendered in ink and charcoal and finished digitally, the illustrations feature a pup who resembles nothing so much as an early Snoopy. The gentle narrative is told in an offhand style that diminishes none of its emotional impact. This variation on the classic “boy and his dog” story is sure to be beloved by more than just pup lovers.

A loving look at a friendship that spans the stars above. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews