Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story

by Lucy Ruth Cummins

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?

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Friendship, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Aliens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director. She is the executive art director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers where she has worked for two decades on picture books, middle grade books, and young adult novels. She also manages a team of talented art directors and designers.

Lucy made her critically acclaimed debut as an author and illustrator with A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, and Our Pool.

She is the illustrator of several books written by other authors, including Truman, written by Jean Reidy; Sounds Like School Spirit, written by Meg Fleming; and The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures, by Curtis Manning. She is also the author of Sleepy Sheepy, and Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover, illustrated by Pete Oswald.

Lucy’s books have been chosen as Publisher’s Weekly Best Books, NPR Best Books, New York Times Best Children’s Books, and have also been celebrated with both Irma Black honors, and a Governor General’s award honor. Her books can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and preferably at Indie Bound or your own local bookstore! And of course she’s always thrilled if you check her out from the library.

Born in Canada, she is the youngest of six children, and her family lived in an actual log cabin. She grew up in Cortland, New York, and she now lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York. Her favorite food is the french fry.

Reviews

[Becky Loader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh.

Who knew there were green-spotted Dalmartians living on a close planet?????
I am glad to see that one decided to make a new home here on Earth.

I would have absolutely devoured this book when I was a kid!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me until finishing the book to realize the title was not Dalmatian but Dalmartian. Cute book about an alien stuck on earth as a dog and not only a dog but a boy’s pet. The alien learns about being on earth and also the meaning of home. I really liked the illustrations and how quick of a read it was, but at the same time the story was just sort of meh. Overall, 3/5 stars ⭐️ would recommend for ages 3+

[Evalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book aloud for storytime today to a 4-year old and her grandma. We were all laughing and enjoyed our time with this picture book immensely. The solutions the two friends found together in order to achieve necessary compromise were very smart. I was tearing up by the end, but the author closes the book with one final, perfect, comedic agreement. The illustrations were just right to me. I loved the style, the colors, and the expressions of the dogs especially. One of the dogs darting into their ship, Dalmartian happy crying over bacon, and the appearance of his parents were so wonderful. 💚

It did remind me a bit of E.T., combined with the grandest love of dogs. It demonstrates how quickly they can find their way into our hearts, and onto the foot of our bed, if we are willing to open our homes to them, and be a true friend. I came home and told my partner, I will be purchasing a copy of this book for our future children. For now, we will appreciate it with our own former stray, first baby, and forever friend, Maggie Mae. 🐕

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who grew up as fans of the movie E.T. must share Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins with the kiddos in their lives! The beginnings are the same: a team of alien visitors collects plant samples on earth. When they are surprised by a human, they fly away in their spaceship. But one visitor is left behind. A little boy befriends him. In Dalmartian however, the boy only sees a dog and treats him as such. But the visitor take umbrage and hilarity ensues as the two work out their communication. The illustration of Dalmartian discovering bacon with tears in his eyes is priceless! The story reinforces communication to work out differences and build friendships. Adorbs!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't help but smile when you read Dalmartian. It is the story of a different kind of Martian that come to Earth. When one gets left behind, an unexpected friendship forms that requires some compromising. This is equal parts funny and sweet. The text is well paced and great for reading aloud. The illustrations use a limited palette and add so much to the humor. I definitely recommend this for any dog fan or anyone who needs a chuckle.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book will be a HIT with the kiddos!

It's space
It's dogs
It's a dog who walks on two legs and uses the toilet like a person
It's a tale of friendship.

Yes please

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a glance and a scoop, this Dalmatian joined my pile of checkouts at the library. Lucy Ruth Cummins is an auto read for me. But it wasn’t until I got home that the title truly hit my funny bone. I noticed the green spots and UFO and said, “OOOOHHH!” Dalmartian. Haha…Brilliant!

One night, Stephen interrupts a few furry, green spotted visitors exploring his yard. In their haste to escape, the ship leaves one Dalmartian behind. Let the friendship-ing begin!

This super silly Mars Rover tale is both hysterical and sweet. Readers see Stephen and his backyard visitor grow closer and closer with talks, walks, compromises, and cuddles. And bacon, of course! Don’t forget the bacon.

I loved the big, in-your-face, double page spreads and colors and obvious care and love on the page. If I had a tail, it’d be wagging away in joy.

An out of this world read full of imagination and heart. Check it out!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up. Extraterrestrials visit Stephens yard one night and one accidentally gets left behind. Misunderstandings abound, but a friendship develops.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, this picture book did not work for me. I think it was the mostly neon-off-green color of the illustrations. But a second read gave me a better appreciation for it. The story of friendship and "other" is not new, but the way things roll out, works on a new and humorous level. Take it "as is" (a visitor from far away) or as an allegory for friendship and home, by being different and learning to adapt to each other. Overall, things are fun and cute. Your fan of dogs will enjoy it, as well as the people who like minimalist touches to their illustrations. 

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of the forming friendship between a boy and a dog takes on a eye-brow-raising and spacy twist.

One night, visitors comes to Stephen's yard, the kind found in a spaceship. Their mission is simple: collect specimens and head home without being noticed. But Stephen does notice. Before he can step outside, the visitors are gone. Mostly. One was accidentally left behind. While this visitor might look quite a bit like a Dalmatian, it soon becomes clear that it is not...and not only because of its green and not black spots.

The science fiction direction adds a fun twist to this tale about friendship. Plus, the dog is very cute...although it, maybe, wouldn't agree. It begins with a night scene, where a flying saucer lands in the yard behind a white house. This brings smiles to the adult readers, as it does bring a sense of nostalgia. After that, this tale heads into friendship and alien fun. Not only do the green-spotted Dalmartians grab attention, but the Dalmartian's 'human' side brings many pokes of humor and surprises. Stephen and the Dalmartian need to find middle-ground as they discover more about each other and learn to balance with the world around them. It's a give and take with growing concern and respect, which forms a wonderful message surrounding friendship, acceptance, and sacrifice.

The illustrations carry this read almost more than the text and are well done. They add little details, which bring humor and also help strengthen the main message. Young listeners can flip through these and revisit the story on their own. The text flows well and stays short, when needed, or offers more to reflect the situations. There's never a boring moment, which makes this a lovely read-aloud for even more impatient audiences. Part of me hopes that there might be, at least, another adventure with these two to come.
I received a DRC and enjoyed this unique twist.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story
by Lucy Ruth Cummins
illustrations by the author
Atheneum Books for Young Readers Children's Publishing Division
2024
48 pages
ISBN: 9786659111955

One summer night some visitors land and begin collecting earth samples in Stepthen's backyard. When they were frightened off, one visitor got left behind. A little dog! Stephen invites the "dog" inside, and shows him where to sleep. The visitor is not having it. He enjoys the bed, not the floor.

They also have trouble at breakfast. It isn't until Stephen offers the dog bacon, that readers see the happiness erupt on the visitor's face. A tear of joy! Bacon! Later, on a walk to the park, the visitor insists on walking without a leash like a real "person." He is appalled when real dogs want to sniff his behind.

The visitor waits for his ship to return, hoping to go home soon. A few nights later, his people do land and pick him up. On board the ship, the visitor questions "home." He should be happy to be where he belongs, but he misses his friend Stephen. He heads right back to Earth and grabs his favorite spot on the bed so that he's there when Stephen wakes. This is a true tail of intergalactic friendship!

Dalmartian is quirky fun, and young readers will giggle at the visitor's antics which are very un "dog" like. Yellow, black and brown dominate the art, but the visitor and his ship are colored with green (a nod to Martian green).

Highly, highly recommended for anyone who loves dogs, space and friendship.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the "I'm so jealous of the cleverness, it's kinda hard to type"-ily titled, "Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story," author-illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins creates a fun space that's a bit like James Marshall's Space Case meets Sergio Ruzzier's Good Boy (though, of course, in an inimitable style all Cummins's own!)

When our Dalmartian hero is accidentally left stranded at human Stephen's house, both find themselves unaccustomed to his alien lifestyle. Sure, bacon is ear-refutably (that pun makes better sense if you read the book) wonderful, but even cured meat can't wholly cure homesickness on its own. With dogged determination, Stephen and his guest navigate space (and boundary) concerns; still, it's not easy for a visitor to acclimate, especially when cultural misunderstandings (and, ahem, overly-nosey Earth dogs) abound. When the visitor's spaceship returns, will our extra furrestrial friend be able to decide where he now gravitates to? (SPOILER: Yes. But it may take some learning some new business skills.)

A fun, grounded sci-fi exploration of what makes us feel at home.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a green-and-white alien Dalmatian gets left behind during the exploration of planet Earth, an earthling boy befriends him.

Reminiscent of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, an alien gets left behind on a miss of exploration. In this case, the alien looks like a Dalmatian that is green and white instead of black and white. The extraterrestrial is befriended by a human boy, and they spend a couple days together before a rescue team returns for the alien. Although initially happy to be back with his crewmates, the alien misses the boys and decides to return to earth to live as an earthling dog.

The illustrations were done in ink and charcoal and finished digitally.

This story shows difficulty of cross-cultural communication as well as the importance of friendship and understanding.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: The visitor's came to Stephen's yard one otherwise ordinary summer night. Quietly and carefully, they went about their work, collecting, bagging, and tagging specimens. Then very suddenly, they had company. The visitors raced to reboard their ship. One of the visitors wasn't quite quick enough. So one was left behind.

Premise/plot: What happens when an alien dog--a Dalmartian--is left behind on earth? Dalmartian chronicles his adventures as he adapts to life on a strange planet and becomes bonded with a human boy.

My thoughts: I never thought this was a story I "needed," however I thoroughly enjoyed it! I enjoyed the narration. I really loved the illustrations. It is an unusual, strange but lovely twist on the familiar boy gets a dog story. I absolutely loved some of the spreads such as when the Dalmartian discovers bacon for the first time!!!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dog from outer space!? Well, an extraterrestrial visitor that shares a striking resemblance with what earthlings refer to as dogs. But really not very dog like in behavior... Just like ET - our alien that resembles a dog is left behind. Fortunately, Stephen is there to help out. There is a lot to learn on both sides -- sleeping, eating, and how the earth creatures called dogs behave - which is very different from the behavior of our outer space visitor! As they anxiously await the return of the UFO that will take them back, a bond develops. When the time comes to return to outer space, will our new friend fly away or choose a different home?

This is a whimsical story. The way the "Dalmartian" eats is interesting. And the discovery of how human dogs go to the bathroom is humorous.
Be sure to peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is different.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very funny and clever story that will make you laugh -and is a great read aloud. Imagine E.T. meets Harry the Dirty Dog. A little boy takes in a stranded “martian” dalmatian (complete with green spots) and treats him as a pet - but the dalmatian has intelligence and beyond bacon really has no interest in being a pet. Eventually, they begin to “work it out”. The artwork harkens to the classic work of Gene Zion in the original “Harry” series, although it is more colorful and the storyline works on many levels - young kids will love it as well as adults - who will also appreciate the humor and understand some of the connections to UFO stories, TV shows, and films (especially E.T.) and other stories about dogs and pets and how they interact with people.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The visitors came to Stephen's yard one otherwise ordinary summer night."

They are gathering samples, when someone sees them. So they race to their ship and depart. Unfortunately, one of them isn't quick enough and is left behind. Because the visitor looks like a dog, Stephen assumes that the "guest" will want to do dog things. That isn't quite the case and they have to compromise on sleeping arrangements, breakfast items and even how thy go for a walk. But when they begin to understand each other, they begin to become friends, though the guest waits up at night for his ship to return. When they finally do, the guest returns to the ship, but feels that there is something missing.

Cute.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

In this charming book, we get a different theory on how the dog became man’s best friend. I really liked this play on aliens and dogs on earth. The use of “Martian” green throughout was skillfully done and added a lot to the whimsical nature of the story. I loved the Dalmartian’s rejection and acceptance of some of human’s expectations of a dog’s life and I also appreciated the boy’s acceptance of the Dalmartian’s objections. A very cute, fun book for alien and dog lovers.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute humorous story about a UFO landing and one of them is left behind. A boy invites this dog alien into his house after the UFO has left. If it sounds like E.T., then you are correct. There are differences.

The best part of the story is the boy and the dog getting along and the compromises they make since the dalmartian is not your regular dog. Very cute.

The art was ink and acrylic and finished digitally. The artwork is cute and does a fine job with the stranger in a strange land storyline.

Any animal loving kid will love this story. Cute and funny.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am having a hard time deciding whether to give this book 3 stars or 4 stars. Maybe writing this review will help me decide. :-)

I did like the idea - the aliens are caninoid rather than humanoid. And I like how the dog had more of a human intelligence and attitude rather than that of a dog.

But altogether, I think I'm going to go with more of a 3 stars. Definitely better than I expected, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it, but still only 3 stars.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dog not quite of this world is left behind when someone interrupts his team's reconnaissance trip. A kind stranger takes him in, but for their friendship to work they have to work out some differences in cultural expectations.

Not only is this a humorous and sweet story of a doggy alien and human boy, but it provides some great opportunities to talk about culture clashes with little ones. How do you do things and how might someone from a different culture do things?

[Melanie Hetrick]

One night, strange visitors arrived in Stephen's yard. When they left, they inadvertently left a friend behind. Stephen invited the guest inside to stay and they became fast friends, even though they had their differences. When the guest's friends returned to retrieve him, the guest is sad to go. Stephen is sad to wake and find is friend gone so he is understandably overjoyed when the guest returns to stay.

Recommended for storytime.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explorers from another planet, Mars?, are startled in mid specimen collection from Stephen’s backyard and inadvertently leave behind one of their crew. Stephen shows it around, expecting dog type behavior since that’s how the visitor appears. Comedy ensues as they get used to one another and develop a friendship. Cute, predictable ending. Tender moment depicted in case cover art. Hopefully young readers won’t need an explanation for the title.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dalmartian shows up at Stephen's door. Not exactly like earth's dogs, this dalmartian is similar but also different from what Stephen knows of earthly dogs. Left behind by his comrades, what will become of this dog from outer space, this dalmartian?

This was cute from the very onset. I love the title and the cover and I got excited for a scifi picture book. This was cute and did not disappoint. I may be biased as well, as I know personally know a Stephen that also loves dogs.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss when picture books told a fun story with great illustrations that was fun to read aloud. (So many picture books today are preachy and so anxious to drive home a moral that they forget it can just be fun, imaginative, and tell a great story!) This book checked all the boxes for me. Lots of fun!

[Kelly]

If you love dogs, you will find this to be a very sweet book. And who wouldn't love the title - what a clever play on words! I don't know if the rover is the dog (common name for a dog) or the vehicle. I guess it could be both! This book is growing on me the more I think about it. I'm just trying not to give spoilers.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title and concept are a little better than the execution, but it's a cute story of intergalactic friendship. Most of the humour is in the fact that despite the Dalmartian's physical resemblance to a dog, his behaviour is decidedly not dog-like. I would have definitely grabbed this one off the shelf as a kid.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a title like Dalmartian, how can you not pick it up?

Cummins brings her signature ink and charcoal drawings to this sweet friendship story. It's adorable and shows that home is where your heart is.

[AnneLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book -- it has martians, dogs, poop (!), and a little boy in search of a friend. This would be a fun books for kids and adults to share. Love the play on words "mars rover story".

You may be able to use this is a small storytime group with preschoolers.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aliens leave Earth & left someone behind! A boy becomes friends with the Dalmartian, who is far more sophisticated than a dog, even though it looks like a Dalmatian. Eventually the alien spaceship returns and a choice has to be made. Do they leave or stay on Earth?