Review by Booklist Review
A Martian with two rounded knobs atop his head, Marty wears disguises to blend in with humans on Earth; despite his short stature and green skin, he's usually successful. He works as a barista in a bookstore café, where he's especially kind to the children. But he's lonely. Feeling the urge to express himself, he picks up an electric guitar, wails for an audience, and becomes an instant celebrity. After reporters track him down and reveal that he's an alien, Marty retreats to a park, where Jake, a boy who frequented the café, recognizes him and takes him home. Now Marty lives with Jake's family, attends his school, and feels accepted at last. 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.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Marty the Martian has been able to blend in with society on Earth and observe humans, thanks to a vast collection of disguises. (Apparently, his green complexion and short stature don't give him away.) He spends his days dressed as a construction worker or a cowpoke or an old woman, mingling with people but mostly ignored. It's a safe if lonely life. Abbott's delicately rendered illustrations take advantage of humorous opportunities (see Marty as a tattooed and bearded barista) while expanding Noble's matter-of-fact text. "Look at his wardrobe of costumes!" accompanies a full-bleed image featuring a magnificent old tree festooned with hats, wigs, footwear, and more among its branches. Marty's bed is balanced high up on a branch, too, and at the foot of the tree a comfy-looking armchair, rug, and bookcase complete the homey, enchanting scene. Marty's undercover existence is threatened after a "Creative! Cutting edge!" costume choice draws attention, which leads to suspicion, investigation, and discovery. But the latter -- Marty's biggest fear -- turns out to be a good thing, resulting in friendship, a home, and "a safe place" where Marty the Martian can be himself. This satisfying and surprisingly tender story beams an encouraging message about acceptance to young Earthlings (and to undercover Martians). Kitty Flynn July/August 2021 p.91(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
