Missing Marvin

by Sue deGennaro

Marvin loves his job. He has never missed a day of work. Sometimes his friends play jokes to pass the time. Sometimes the jokes are on Marvin. Then, one day, Marvin isnt where he usually is. Where is Marvin?

Genres: Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2018

Reviews

[Sharni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather serious picture book about bullying in the workplace with a happy resolution.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. Doesn't delve to deeply within the storyline but leaves all sorts of elements open for discussion: looking at the situation from each character's point of view for a start. Then feelings and ways of dealing with them, and the situations and people who have created those feelings, as well as possible alternative endings and what may need to happen at that point.

Love the illustrations the restricted colour palette gives the images a fresh feeling and allows for focus on the actions, consequences and depiction of emotions, I love the background colour it is another fresh change from white, there is a warmth to it and it gives the black words a softness to them which adds to the feelings within the story too.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about bullying - a story of a group of friends where three of them tease the fourth to the point where the teaching becomes bullying and the recipient is saddened and stops going to work. As the trio learn a lesson about their behaviour and go to apologise, the victim realises that he needs to stand up for himself - so a rather neutral solution.
The four friends are each a different animal, and they work as baggage handlers - there doesn't seem a lot of purpose to these factors but the illustrations are delightful - expressive and full of interest and small details. Marvins' moose horns are the butt of many of the jokes providing quiet humour throughout.

[Tina]

Magpies review