All for One

Marlon #2

by jill-murphy

Marlon tries very hard to be part of the neighborhood games until he finds something else to do that makes everyone want to join him.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

25 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2002

Reviews

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute, I really liked the ending. It was simple, with cute illustrations, a good pace, and a main character that grew over the course of the story.

[Laura Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

When All For One was my little brother's favourite book I was made to read it to him countless times. I never tired of it though, as I myself grew up loving all things written by Jill Murphy.
This particular book focuses on Marlon, the star of The Last Noo-Noo and his relationship with friends, Basher, Boomps-adaisy and Alligatina.
The little monster starts off playing by himself but becomes bored and so his mother suggests that he go and play outside with his friends. When he first tries to join the other monsters, they are dressed up as the Three Musketeers. Marlon asks if he can join in and they say they'll "think about it". He rushes inside to find a costume but by the time he comes out, the rest of the gang have changed the game.
This happens a couple of times before Marlon gives up and asks if his mum will fill up his pool in the garden. Here, Marlon has a great time playing by himself and when Basher and co. see, they ask if they can join him tomorrow. Naturally, Marlon tells them, "I'll think about it."
This book explores the way children interact with eachother whilst playing and though it doesn't explicitly say how Marlon or any of the other characters feel throughout the plot, the detailed illustrations do well to convey their thoughts and emotions. This could be used as a talking point in classes, getting children to think about how they might feel or behave in the same situation.
As well as expressing the feelings of the characters, the illustrations could inspire children to create their own games.
I enjoyed this book and if my brother was anything to go by, so do young children. Especially those aged between five and seven.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dislike the Large Family series by Jill Murphy (see my review of A Piece of Cake for why). But I thought I would give Jill a go outside of this series.

My main complaint about the Large Family series was that they were written from an adult perspective. All for One does well by swapping the main character from the adults back to the child (in this case Marlon). The is a good first step, but I still feel that Marlon's feelings, behaviour and interactions with the other children in the story (Basher, Boomps-a-daisy and Alligatina) represent what an adult would see if they viewed the situation - rather than how a child would feel and react.

I think that the Simpsons did the whole 'nobody liked me until I got a pool' plot better in 1994's Bart of Darkness - particularly in noting how shallow friendships based on possessions are.

This book follows on from The Last Noo-noo.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even in the monster community, little monster children have to deal with being excluded and left out by other little monster children. Marlon tries so very hard to included in a group of kids that are playing, but every time they change the game and tell him he can't join them. Finally he decides to head out on his own and make his own fun. When the other little monsters see what he's done, they want to join in too.

Illustrations are okay.

[Merita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were great.