Moving to Mars

Funny Firsts

by Mike Thaler, Jared Lee (Illustrator)

Snarvey's worst fears about moving disappear when he discovers that his new house is in the same neighborhood.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Mike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.

Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”

Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.

Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Andrew Christou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snarvey and his family are moving house. His toys are packed and his room is empty. He has already said good-bye to everyone.

This isn’t as exciting for Snarvey as it may sound; he thinks they are moving all the way to Mars. He already sees himself being chased around by giant Martian dogs and having to eat anchovy-topped pizzas! Poor Snarvey is ever so worried.

Review:

Quite cute. A very visual book, with colourful illustrations dominating each of the pages. The pictures are really creative, if a little harsh on the eye.

Possible uses: can be read out to a class at the end of a lesson on space. The many grotesque monsters featured in the illustrations can be used a springboard for a creative drawing session where the children draw their own monsters with lots of hands and eyes, etc. The children can then write: “my monster has x eyes and y hands, etc.”

For reception and year 1 classes.

[Kate Mcevoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very colourful and has wonderful illustrations throughout that can be great for use in younger classes. The images are very creative and would spark a great discussion depending on individual interpretation. This book would be good to have in the classroom as it looks at a family moving house and the various emotions faced by Snarvey and his family, which children in the class may have experienced. Also be a good topic to use before looking at the topic 'space' as the family is moving to Mars. Children could write how they would feel if they had to move to Mars.