Marty
by Rachel Noble (Author) Zoey Abbott (Illustrator)
An alien makes an unexpected friend in this irresistible picture book about finding your place in the universe.
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.
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Publishers Weekly
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)
Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV039120 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism
JUV053010 - Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction | Alien Contact
Toleration
