What do you think?
Rate this book
Marty Pants #1
Do Not Open!
“Funny and engaging. Marty Pants is a surefire hit!”—Lincoln Peirce, author of the Big Nate series
Move over, Wimpy Kid. Here comes the imaginative, the inquisitive, the unstoppable Marty Pants! Meet Marty in the side-splitting first book of a new series written by Mark Parisi, the award-winning cartoonist of the Off the Mark comic.
Marty Pants is different from your typical middle schooler. He has the soul of an artist, and as an artist, he notices things—the kinds of things other kids don’t seem to see.
So when Marty discovers a plot on his teacher’s computer to take over the world, Marty knows this is a danger he can’t just ignore. But no one, not his best friends Parker and Roongrat or his mother, father, sister, arch-enemy, Simon, or Chief of Police Pickels, believes him.
So, it’s up to Marty to save the world—his way.
This hilarious new series follows the endearing, frazzled, embarrassed, and, ultimately, fearless footsteps of literature’s most unlikely hero—Marty Pants.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2017
36 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 2, 2017
I thought that this book was awesome and really fun to read. I was hilariously funny, and the cat in the book was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.(what I am an animal lover). I definitely recommend this book.
May 6, 2017
My son read it first and then I did! 10 and 39 both enjoyed this fun, silly and engaging tale! Alien invasion or is it Marty's Brain? Get to know Marty's world!
April 13, 2025
Novela infantil, para niños de unos nueve años. Dos chistes me hicieron reír (uno mucho) y por eso le puse una estrella más
June 12, 2017
Before sending this book to the 9-year-old daughter of a friend, I read it myself and was unexpectedly and utterly charmed by it, and by Marty. He’s endearingly oblivious but not a bumbling fool; he’s smart, funny, curious, a little bit quirky, determined, and has an active imagination that leads him in all sorts of directions. What really comes through, though, is that he’s a genuinely sweet kid with a good heart. The illustrations are wonderful and add to the story, the writing is never dumbed-down for kids, and the humor will appeal to kids and adults alike -- no easy feat. My friend’s daughter read the whole book in one night and said she would give it 10 out of 10 stars, but 5 will have to do!
March 20, 2018
Perfect for fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. A quirky read where I wasn't quite sure what was real but to kids this may be a fun element.
July 25, 2018
This is a great series for kids who like Big Nate. As with BN, there are just as many illustrations as there is text.
It starts off with this: "If you're alive to read this book, you have me to thank. You're welcome."
As I read this I had no idea what it meant and to be honest I was pretty far into the book before I understood, which just proves that I have no sense of humor. But I DO appreciate humor.
Some other examples of text to give you an idea of Marty's character.
Pg. 3--"I'll start with the basics. My name is Marty Pants and I wear black. I heard somewhere that artists wear black. I didn't choose to be an artist. I was born that way."
Pg. 6--"My dad told me someone who doesn't understand art is a rube. Rube is now my favorite word. McPhee is a rube. He's supreme king, lord, emperor, and prime minister of the rubes. He doesn't understand anything creative, especially not a brilliant artist like me."
Pg. 82--"I have trouble sleeping. It's not because Jerome is on my head. He always does that. It's not because of the rainstorm outside. It's not because of the cracker crumbs in my bed, although that doesn't help. It's because my teacher is an alien who wants to annihilate Earth! And I happen to like Earth! I'm using it at the moment."
As you can see, Marty Pants is a pretty funny guy. He loves to draw, hence all the illustrations in the book. His sister, Erica is always changing the way she spells her name, so he spells it differently through the whole book. I thought that was clever. On pg. 16 his cat leaves him a partially chewed up note that says "an alien is observing you." Then he sees the word 'annihilate' on his teacher's computer and he assumes that his teacher is the alien observing him and he's going to destroy earth. Far fetched, but that's the way Marty's brain operates. The main plot of the book is Marty trying to expose McPhee as an alien. I recommend for ages 7-10.
It starts off with this: "If you're alive to read this book, you have me to thank. You're welcome."
As I read this I had no idea what it meant and to be honest I was pretty far into the book before I understood, which just proves that I have no sense of humor. But I DO appreciate humor.
Some other examples of text to give you an idea of Marty's character.
Pg. 3--"I'll start with the basics. My name is Marty Pants and I wear black. I heard somewhere that artists wear black. I didn't choose to be an artist. I was born that way."
Pg. 6--"My dad told me someone who doesn't understand art is a rube. Rube is now my favorite word. McPhee is a rube. He's supreme king, lord, emperor, and prime minister of the rubes. He doesn't understand anything creative, especially not a brilliant artist like me."
Pg. 82--"I have trouble sleeping. It's not because Jerome is on my head. He always does that. It's not because of the rainstorm outside. It's not because of the cracker crumbs in my bed, although that doesn't help. It's because my teacher is an alien who wants to annihilate Earth! And I happen to like Earth! I'm using it at the moment."
As you can see, Marty Pants is a pretty funny guy. He loves to draw, hence all the illustrations in the book. His sister, Erica is always changing the way she spells her name, so he spells it differently through the whole book. I thought that was clever. On pg. 16 his cat leaves him a partially chewed up note that says "an alien is observing you." Then he sees the word 'annihilate' on his teacher's computer and he assumes that his teacher is the alien observing him and he's going to destroy earth. Far fetched, but that's the way Marty's brain operates. The main plot of the book is Marty trying to expose McPhee as an alien. I recommend for ages 7-10.
August 6, 2021
This book entertained my seven year old son.
Some mom complaints though- Marty comes across as paranoid schizophrenic with his obsession about aliens invading the earth. I think I'm just ultra sensitive to this and being a bit overly critical. But given my work as a social worker who dealt with people like Marty on a daily basis, and now as a librarian in a public library- a place where believe it or not a lot of displaced, transient, mentally ill people hang out to get out of the heat or cold- I deal with people like Marty on a regular basis. And I realize this book is pretend and for fun, but it just..I dunno..rubbed me the wrong way.
Marty's friends are sensitive to his predicament and love him despite his obsession with alien invasions, and his family are supportive. Though, they do make an appointment to go to a "Head Dr." really? Head Dr? That's a step away from saying "shrink." At least they were seeking professional help though...
I probably won't seek out the second book in the series, but would have no problem with my son asking for it and reading it on his own. My son though Marty was wrong/crazy for accusing his teacher of being an alien. As an adult you could see most of the plot "twists" coming from a mile away but it was cute to see my 7 year old work it out in conversation with me what he thought was going to happen.
So glad the earth didn't get invaded in the end. And so glad Peach Fuzz got locked up. There is some mild bullying and physical threats/violence between Peach Fuzz and Marty in the book so be aware if you're sensitive to that sort of thing in children's books. Would recommend for 8+ boys.
Some mom complaints though- Marty comes across as paranoid schizophrenic with his obsession about aliens invading the earth. I think I'm just ultra sensitive to this and being a bit overly critical. But given my work as a social worker who dealt with people like Marty on a daily basis, and now as a librarian in a public library- a place where believe it or not a lot of displaced, transient, mentally ill people hang out to get out of the heat or cold- I deal with people like Marty on a regular basis. And I realize this book is pretend and for fun, but it just..I dunno..rubbed me the wrong way.
Marty's friends are sensitive to his predicament and love him despite his obsession with alien invasions, and his family are supportive. Though, they do make an appointment to go to a "Head Dr." really? Head Dr? That's a step away from saying "shrink." At least they were seeking professional help though...
I probably won't seek out the second book in the series, but would have no problem with my son asking for it and reading it on his own. My son though Marty was wrong/crazy for accusing his teacher of being an alien. As an adult you could see most of the plot "twists" coming from a mile away but it was cute to see my 7 year old work it out in conversation with me what he thought was going to happen.
So glad the earth didn't get invaded in the end. And so glad Peach Fuzz got locked up. There is some mild bullying and physical threats/violence between Peach Fuzz and Marty in the book so be aware if you're sensitive to that sort of thing in children's books. Would recommend for 8+ boys.
June 14, 2017
This book is genuinely funny, I was smiling the whole time I read it!
This graphic novel is told from the POV of our main character, Marty Pants. Marty really wants to be an artist and has this nasty teacher who's always discouraging him. One day Marty gets a mysterious note telling him an alien is observing him, and Marty starts to think it's his mean teacher who is the alien, and that he needs to expose his teacher and save the world before it's too late! Hijinks ensue and no one believes him, but he will stop at nothing to get everyone to believe him, even if he almost gets arrested doing so.
What I really love about this book is the fair amount of art VS text, I'd say you will never read more than 3 paragraphs without getting a piece of art to go with it, which makes this a really fast and engaging read.
This graphic novel is told from the POV of our main character, Marty Pants. Marty really wants to be an artist and has this nasty teacher who's always discouraging him. One day Marty gets a mysterious note telling him an alien is observing him, and Marty starts to think it's his mean teacher who is the alien, and that he needs to expose his teacher and save the world before it's too late! Hijinks ensue and no one believes him, but he will stop at nothing to get everyone to believe him, even if he almost gets arrested doing so.
What I really love about this book is the fair amount of art VS text, I'd say you will never read more than 3 paragraphs without getting a piece of art to go with it, which makes this a really fast and engaging read.
August 16, 2017
Marty lives in "Marty World" where his imagination and creativity trip him up on a daily basis. When he finds a scrap of paper that says aliens are observing him, Marty sets out to prove his teacher is the alien trying to take over the world. Filled with a cast of characters that are quirky and funny, (after all they are seen through Marty's eyes!), the reader experiences the bumbling life of a preteen. I especially enjoyed that Marty's goal was to be a good artist and he even had a rival for being the best in the class. Yes, art - not sports.
I work in a middle school library and books of this genre are in constant demand. Preteen boy humor is not my thing but I appreciate how it engages reluctant readers. Well congratulations Mark Parisi, you got me to love a book of this type and I am looking forward to the next installment!
I work in a middle school library and books of this genre are in constant demand. Preteen boy humor is not my thing but I appreciate how it engages reluctant readers. Well congratulations Mark Parisi, you got me to love a book of this type and I am looking forward to the next installment!
June 7, 2017
Marty is an artist...at least he thinks he is. Not everyone agrees with him, but he will be an artist anyway. In this book, Marty discovers clues that his teacher, Mr. McPhee, is an alien. Marty sets out to find proof to convince his friends and family that they are in danger. Not all goes as planned. Along the way Marty gets a close encounter with a spider, loses his best friend, and ends up in a jail cell. In the end, the world is saved, but not quite how Marty imagines. This is a good filler for those readers waiting for another "Wimpy Kid" book. Nothing ground breaking, but not bad and it even has some funny parts.
March 6, 2018
The book Marty pants by Mark Parisi is about the main character Marty pats and his adventures throughout the book.There is a girl named analie and when ever Marty does something embarrassing like kiss his cat Jerome and always takes note of it.Another person is his friend roongrat which he calls a know it all.Some Maine things that happen in the book is that he thinks his teacher Mr.mcphee is a alien and how he plans to take over the world.Overall this book is good and I recommend this book too people who like funny books.
March 23, 2018
In true homage to the clueless male brain, Marty Pants is a hilarious book that ultimately ends in a spectacularly missed obvious situation.
This cute book is the stuff of AJ belly laughs. Jerome is an adorably misanthropic cat who makes the perfect sidekick to Marty Pants, he of the wild imagination has a friend who wants to grow up to be a psychiatrist, leading to a few innocently funny scenes of Marty laying out on a couch to tell Parker all his troubles and add to his psychiatry bill.
PS 2018: A book involving a sport
This cute book is the stuff of AJ belly laughs. Jerome is an adorably misanthropic cat who makes the perfect sidekick to Marty Pants, he of the wild imagination has a friend who wants to grow up to be a psychiatrist, leading to a few innocently funny scenes of Marty laying out on a couch to tell Parker all his troubles and add to his psychiatry bill.
PS 2018: A book involving a sport
December 12, 2018
Marty Pants is funny and entertaining, and appealing to ALL ages. This timeless tale of a school-aged student who experiences the ups and downs of childhood relationships with peers, siblings, and teachers will have you laughing out loud. The first book in the Marty Pants series is truly "un-put-down-able." You will find yourself quoting Marty, Roongrat, and Parker while hanging around the house, riding in the car, and riding on your pogo-stick "bike." This series gets two-thumbs up from an 11-year-old, 8-year-old, 39-year-old, and 40-year old reader.
January 10, 2020
In the book Do not open ( Marty pants #1) the main characters are Marty, Marty’s parents, Marty’s sister Ericka, Simon, Parker, Roongrat, Analie, and Salvador Ack ( Marty calls him Peach Fuzz). Marty was trying to save the world from Aliens attacking it, but nobody believes him. I liked reading this book, it was very interesting and exciting. I didn’t want to put the book down. I can’t wait to read more books from this series. I gave this book 5 out of 5 because it was very exciting and I didn’t want to put the book down. I think the theme of this book is to “always listen to your gut.”
January 4, 2021
Meet Martin "Marty" Seymour Pants, budding world greatest artist, and a cast of characters that round out this humorous tale. Marty is sure that his homeroom teacher Mr. McPhee is an alien who is out to annihilate the Earth, and has taken upon himself of saving the planet. In his attempt to out his teacher, and save the planet, Marty faces some trying trials, and misses what is right in front of him.
August 24, 2024
Marty is silly
Right away I knew who the real alien was but Marty was oblivious. He wanted to believe that his teacher was the alien when Analie looked and acted like an alien. In the end he did save the world though so it worked out!
My kids thought this was hilarious even though it was predictable. They are hoping their cousin will read it so they can all laugh about it together.
Right away I knew who the real alien was but Marty was oblivious. He wanted to believe that his teacher was the alien when Analie looked and acted like an alien. In the end he did save the world though so it worked out!
My kids thought this was hilarious even though it was predictable. They are hoping their cousin will read it so they can all laugh about it together.
November 13, 2024
Slimme rik is een heel leuk boek . Het is een grappig boek. Slimme rik is een slimme jongen
Hij wilt later een kunstenaar worden.Het is een spannend boek.
Rik denkt dat zijn meester een alien is .
Rik heeft ook een pester genaamd don dons.
Rik heeft altijd ruzie met zijn zus .Rik zijn beste vriend is zijn kat die noemt Jonas .
Jonas slaapt altijd boven de hoofd van Rik
Hij wilt later een kunstenaar worden.Het is een spannend boek.
Rik denkt dat zijn meester een alien is .
Rik heeft ook een pester genaamd don dons.
Rik heeft altijd ruzie met zijn zus .Rik zijn beste vriend is zijn kat die noemt Jonas .
Jonas slaapt altijd boven de hoofd van Rik
April 9, 2018
For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, meet Marty. He's fun and sometimes oblivious as only a kid can be, but he's smart, funny, curious and has an active imagination that leads him on all sorts of adventures. This one is sure to be popular with our beginning chapter readers.
August 31, 2018
Another unreliable narrator, highly illustrated book, just like Timmy Failure. The thing about that series and this is that the kids who will get what is going on aren't going to be the ones reaching for this book.
May 22, 2017
For fans of Wimpy Kid and Big Nate who are impatiently waiting for that next book.
June 3, 2017
Definitely for fans of Timmy Failure! I would love to see a crossover!
June 23, 2017
I tried to plow through but I just couldn't. This book is more suited for an 8-year old boy.
June 27, 2017
A fun story with great illustrations.
July 8, 2017
I most love reading to my kids when their is top-notch humor inserted, which we found in this book!
August 17, 2017
Cute read aloud, great for young ones who like graphic novels but need a chapter book.
August 27, 2017
Laugh-out-loud funny!
I only started this book to get a feel. It is funny. I love the references to artists.
I'm looking forward to recommending it.
I only started this book to get a feel. It is funny. I love the references to artists.
I'm looking forward to recommending it.
March 5, 2018
The humor is clever. We laughed so much while reading this. My students are completely hooked on Marty Pants as well. Would definitely recommend this to all readers!
March 25, 2018
Very Funny!
May 10, 2018
Cute, funny book. Just not my cup of tea.
September 10, 2018
Along the lines of DOAWK-not my favorite, but maybe slightly better than DOAWK.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews