Marcel, a French Bulldog, is a New Yorker through and through--he and his human know the best spots, especially in downtown Manhattan. But when a new human suddenly enters their lives at Central Park, they're spending all their time in uptown! Everything is changing and it looks like this new human isn't going anywhere. Why couldn't everything stay as it was? Why did things have to change? Find out what happens between this Frenchie and the new human in his life in a story where change can be good and bring new adventures! This touching picture book is a nice way to help a child understand a parent's new partner or spouse.
Eda Akaltun is a New York–based illustrator and printmaker from Istanbul. Prior to her work with Flying Eye, her illustrations can be found in the Nobrow magazine, of which she is a founding contributor.
I received a free hardcover copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program.
Oh my goodness, this book is Adorable - with a capital "A"
Marcel is a French Bulldog pup who lives in New York City with his human. This book is an interesting look at family and change through the eyes of of a beloved pet. It is also a love letter to the city of New York.
This is clearly a children's book, but there are amazing touches and details that will appeal to adult readers as well. For example, Marcel's favorite bagel shop is called "Ruff and Sons" and his human sometimes takes him for pampering at "Mani's Doggy Day Spa."
The illustrations are simply perfect. They are both visually stunning and at the same time, they are full of whimsy.
The book is hardcover with a lovely blue and white striped cloth binding. The illustrations, both on the cover and on the interior pages are done with a matte finish which goes perfectly with this book's style.
There is absolutely nothing that I disliked about this wonderful children's book and for that reason I rate MARCEL by Ada Akaltun as 5 out of 5 stars.
Marcel is a French Bulldog living in NYC with his woman owner. He calls his owner, "my human." Marcel and his human go to many wonderful places in NYC except the museum. One day his human runs into a French man while on a job and Marcel's life quickly changes. The owner begins to spend a lot of time with the French man and Marcel does not like the change. Finally the man takes Marcel to the museum and Marcel decides change isn't always a bad thing.
The book had wonderful illustrations. I enjoyed the modern art look of the illustrations, combining black and white images with color illustrations. The book truly was a work of art.
I read some of the other reviews and agree with the criticism about the book being a children's book but not having any children in it. I think because of the lack of children the book could be enjoyed by adults or children. I would like to see a sequel with Marcel getting used to a new baby, I think that would be fun.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading it to my son. I recommend this book to dog lovers and people who enjoy art. I was given this book through a goodread giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great children's book about change and the struggles of coming to terms with it, set in a stylish and contemporary illustration style very befitting of its home city! Our son very much enjoyed this funny tale of a cute New York pup, and we suspect it will help us when his sister comes around!
Marcel is a French BullDog living in New York City with his human. Things are perfect until she brings another human into the mix. Marcel is territorial when it comes to his human and doesn't like the new one. Over time and many walks and cuddles, Marcel starts to accept this new human into his life. The story helps children adjust to change with humor and wonderful graphics. The images are spot on and display the full emotions of a small dog in a big city. The ending leaves an opening for several more adventures for this puppy. The story is perfect for toddlers and young children just starting to read. The words are easy to understand and have enough repetition to make it easy to sound things out.
Marcel is a dashing French bulldog in a striped sweater who loves everything about his home in NYC -- except for uptown, that is. His favorite place to go for a walk is downtown. So when his person meets a new love interest from uptown, Marcel is not happy that this new man has invaded his life... and might even send him away from the city he loves.
Adorable story with charming illustrations. I could not stop smiling throughout the entire book. the ending sets itself up nicely for a sequel.
beautiful illustrations! great fun following marcel the bull dog on his city adventures. so much fun to share our new york with our daughter through the eyes of this lovable pup :)
New York through the eyes of a French bulldog. What could be more enticing than that? Marcel is a posh little dog, who lives in Manhattan with his owner. He loves exploring all things New York with her. And, he sure is a true New Yorker, strutting through New York with the human, stopping by mouth-watering bagel joints, enjoying a pampering day at the fru fru dog spa, and swinging by the park to listen to some soothing jazz. Marcel just loves life in downtown New York City.
Uptown, seems to be quite another story. Marcel definitely doesn't like uptown. He doesn't understand what humans like uptown, except perhaps the Museum.
Things are all fine and dandy, until one day, there’s a new human in town. This guy is taking up all of his owner’s time. She giggles and flirts with the new human and doesn't seem to mind constantly bumping into him. But Marcel minds. And he minds even more when they start hanging out a lot more. This new human also likes to hang out uptown a lot. Marcel doesn’t like change.
Marcel by Eda Akaltun is full of charm and grace. What a treat this story is for those who love New York and get a chance to reminisce about the vibrant life the city offers, through Marcel’s eyes. The tone is lovable and it speaks to societal love and infatuation with dogs. One can't walk the sidewalk of our busy cosmopolitan cities without bumping into our furry friends. Through Marcel, we get a glimpse into their view of the world.
This book was provided to me by the publisher as a digital review copy, via Edelweiss.
Marcel is, I believe, a French bulldog living in New York City with “My Human”. He loves when they take walks downtown, because the building aren’t so tall that he can’t see the sky, and all of his favorite places are downtown. He doesn’t care much for uptown, because he’s not allowed to visit the only good place there, the natural history museum. Instead, “My Human” takes him on fun runs in the park, where they always seem to run into another human, but one Marcel doesn’t like very much. This new human is a man, and spends a lot of time at Marcel’s apartment, and even dares to take Marcel’s spot on the couch. Marcel has to learn to adapt to the new man in his human’s life.
The illustrations are beautiful and hilarious. The story is simple, but very cute. This is a nice story that kiddos will enjoy.
Won this book from GoodReads. Such an adorable book about a cute dog who lives in NYC with his human. Brings me back to The Secret Life of Pets movie. Marcel is very happy with his human until she falls in love with a French Man. His world has turned upside down. But once he is taken to the only place he admires from afar he falls in love with the human's boyfriend and realizes life just got better. Book leaves of with Marcel heading to the city of lights... Paris. Another favorite City that I hope to see in person. This is a great book for young children. Everyone from all ages will fall in love with the beautiful images. I also want to say I love that the human wasn't created like a cartoon but a real image of a person. It brought character to the book. Thanks can't wait to see what Marcel's life will be in Paris.
Marcel may be a French bulldog but in his soul he’s a bona fide New Yorker. Marcel and his human love their downtown neighborhood for its bagels, jazz, and doggy spa. He has no interest in uptown Manhattan except he imagines that the museum full of bones would be “the most magical place ever.” One day his human replaces their leisurely strolls downtown for “fun runs’ in Central Park and Marcel is not happy. Then she meets a man and much to Marcel’s chagrin they’re spending all their precious time uptown. Even worse, at home the man is on Marcel’s couch and in his bed. When Marcel sees the ring on his human’s finger he is crushed. But his human and her fiancé have a surprise in store for Marcel that will change everything. Akaltun’s fusion of decoupage, collage and pastels illuminates New York’s art deco style. “Marcel” is an irresistible story about the rewards of change.
Marcel is a French Bullbog living in NYC with his human and he loves their life together. However, things start to change. His human makes a new friend and suddenly they are spending time in a new neighborhood and Marcel is NOT keen on it. Follow Marcel as he learns to adapt to these changes.
The artwork in this book is fabulous. I'm no art major, but it looks like Marcel is illustrated (or sponge painted) with the background and humans in a more collage/cut and paste style, which really sets this book apart from other children's books with solely cutesy, cartoony characters. I will definitely be sharing this book with my niece.
This book reminds me of ROSCO VS THE BABY since it pits Marcel, the dog of a lovely NYC lady, against her French beau, until they learn to get along. Then there's a final twist that Marcel, who dislikes change very much, does not anticipate.
Feels more like a picturebook for adults? Though I'm not really sure why. Maybe because I'm unsure of who the audience is. Likely because there are no children in the book? And I feel strange projecting Marcel's feelings onto a child, though I know that that's not inconceivable.
Just as a puppy isn't just for Christmas this picture book is a real keeper.
Beautifully designed metropolitan landscapes are cleverly observed from a knee high puppies perspective, leading the reader though various Big Apple attractions in this uniquely observed relationship between a dog and his owner.
Changes in family dynamics are sensitively broached in an accessible and friendly way with plenty of opportunity to promote further discussion with young readers.
Totally immersive and fun from start to finish... where will Marcel end up next?...
I was super excited to win this from a giveaway.We were ready for the book to arrive. #1 The bag it arrived in...ADORABLE. I am able to take the front and wrap it around a canvas and make a hanging wall picture for the kids reading area.
Now to the book...this lil guy is SPUNKY. And in no way shape or form wants to live up town lol.And is not happy he cannot go to the museum...it says no dogs. He loves his routine..so when his human starts seeing another human he is not so keen on that.
I won this book in the Goodreads Give aways and I absolutely love this book. It came in a cute tote with 'Marcel' on it. It was great of the author to send both a beautifully colourful, and well written book and the well designed, great quality bag. The story had a wonderfully, lovable dog named Marcel. The story educates on changes and how we sometimes have to adapt to new situations. The illustrations are wonderfully done. Fantastic children's book! I will be recommending to fellow friends and family.
I won this book in the First Reads program. We have a french bulldog so I knew I'd love it regardless. I would say the story was so-so to good. The illustrations were cute. I gave this book to my 'niece' and right away she wanted to bring it with her everywhere they went. This book is about a dog welcoming a new human and change into it's life, and seeing as my niece has a baby brother or sister on the way, I felt like it was a good fit. It's a cute little book!
A gentle, funny book about a dog struggling to deal with a new "parent" in his life that's impeccably illustrated in a really unique style that incorporates all kinds of NY specific iconography. I like the part where he takes a leak in his new dad's shoes the best--that always gets a laugh! :)
I read Marcel with my 3 y/o old niece and she loved him. For a toddler about to make a big move to NYC, it was great for her to learn about the city and realise that the change can be a good thing... and he is SO cute! 5 stars .
I LOVE Marcel! This is a beautiful book for children, one of the best ones I've read to my 4 year old. You can read it over and over again without getting sick of it and the story is very heartwarming with an excellent message about families and change.
I Loved Marcel the Frenchie and my little niece did too! Such a lovely and entertaining story about a french bulldog and his human, with beautiful drawings and NYC landscapes. A MUST read and wonderful gift for both children and adults!
Marcel is a French Bulldog pup who lives in New York City with his human. This book is an interesting look at family and change through the eyes of of a beloved pet. It is also a love letter to the city of New York.
A well-designed picture book from font, to colors to layout. A fun story about a dog and his human illustrated with kitschy, mixed media illustrations. Would work as a read aloud. Add to your list of good dog-themed picture books!
Adorable artwork, and a fun story! Marcel was spunky, adorable and resistant to change, but he learned in the end that change isn't always a bad thing. Great message!
I received this book from Tucker yesterday! Thank you! Sooo cute! The illustrations are adorable and the story is just crying out for the further adventures of Marcel in Paris!