What do you think?
Rate this book
Marty
An alien makes an unexpected friend in this irresistible picture book about finding your place in the universe.
Marty is a tiny green Martian who lives here on Earth. You’ve never noticed him before, because he is undercover . . . Marty wears disguises and studies human behavior in order to fit in. He is always watching, learning, and laughing.
And then one day, after much preparation, Marty gets a job! He loves to watch his customers, and he even makes some friends. But Marty knows he can never reveal his secret. Humans are terrified of Martians.
When his cover gets blown, Marty needs somewhere safe to go. Who will see beyond his strange, green looks to show him kindness?
This adorable story of an outsider with a good heart reminds readers that everyone needs a place to call home–and a friend for company. Zoey Abbott’s colorful art, full of elaborate costumes and whimsical details, pops against Rachel Nobel’s spare, sweet text. With its charming way of promoting inclusivity, the book makes for a perfect companion to All Are Welcome.
Marty is a tiny green Martian who lives here on Earth. You’ve never noticed him before, because he is undercover . . . Marty wears disguises and studies human behavior in order to fit in. He is always watching, learning, and laughing.
And then one day, after much preparation, Marty gets a job! He loves to watch his customers, and he even makes some friends. But Marty knows he can never reveal his secret. Humans are terrified of Martians.
When his cover gets blown, Marty needs somewhere safe to go. Who will see beyond his strange, green looks to show him kindness?
This adorable story of an outsider with a good heart reminds readers that everyone needs a place to call home–and a friend for company. Zoey Abbott’s colorful art, full of elaborate costumes and whimsical details, pops against Rachel Nobel’s spare, sweet text. With its charming way of promoting inclusivity, the book makes for a perfect companion to All Are Welcome.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 6, 2021
54 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 33 reviews
October 31, 2021
Marty is a Martian. He prefers the term "Martian," so please don't refer to him as an alien. He wears disguises and watches Earthlings, trying to fit in. One day his identity as a Martian is discovered, and he finds a home and a way to truly belong.
A lovely little story about becoming a part of a foreign world while retaining one's identity, with gentle messages about allowing people to choose their own labels for themselves.
A lovely little story about becoming a part of a foreign world while retaining one's identity, with gentle messages about allowing people to choose their own labels for themselves.
August 3, 2021
I’m a big fan of picture books that work well across many ages. In this case, the humor and appeal of Marty ( short for Martian) is undeniable and will hit the right note for even the youngest toddlers. The same is true of Marty’s eagerness to engage with others, to develop friendships. Moving up the age range, Marty has a growing desire to just be himself, a shyness under the spotlight, and a deepest longing to be accepted for who he really is.
The closing pages hint at the analogy this book presents of the alienating impact of labeling someone an alien rather than their own identity. That’s the pivot point for using this book in upper grades and beyond to launch discussions about identity, assimilation, and isolation/othering through labeling and categorizing by identity rather than recognizing commonalities.
The closing pages hint at the analogy this book presents of the alienating impact of labeling someone an alien rather than their own identity. That’s the pivot point for using this book in upper grades and beyond to launch discussions about identity, assimilation, and isolation/othering through labeling and categorizing by identity rather than recognizing commonalities.
August 5, 2021
Marty is a completely adorable alien, actually he prefers "Martian". He hides his identity in a variety of disguises and jobs because he knows that he'll be in trouble if anyone finds out the truth. But inevitably they do. Marty is saved, however, by a boy named Jake who helps him find a place in the world. This is a beautiful picture book about kindness, accepting difference and making a place in our world for 'aliens'. Perhaps we should gift it to our Prime Minister?
November 15, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
The book is silent as to the whys of Marty's presence here on Earth. Was he running away from an exploding home world? Is he the Magellan of his world? Did he get lost? Run out of fuel? Have Alzheimer's? Did he win an Alien Contest? We don't know, but it led to an interesting conversation when we finished this cute picture book about an alien who settles in, and has either done lots of research on the Human or he simply has natural instincts for disguises in this particular time period and place.
Marty is very comfortable here, interacts with us, and even corrects us when we use politically incorrect terms. Knowledgeable. Wears a beard well (we think he was trying to look like Ron Swanson when he's going into "Books & Cafe").
Any read that gets that much post-discussion, is 4 stars, at least.
The book is silent as to the whys of Marty's presence here on Earth. Was he running away from an exploding home world? Is he the Magellan of his world? Did he get lost? Run out of fuel? Have Alzheimer's? Did he win an Alien Contest? We don't know, but it led to an interesting conversation when we finished this cute picture book about an alien who settles in, and has either done lots of research on the Human or he simply has natural instincts for disguises in this particular time period and place.
Marty is very comfortable here, interacts with us, and even corrects us when we use politically incorrect terms. Knowledgeable. Wears a beard well (we think he was trying to look like Ron Swanson when he's going into "Books & Cafe").
Any read that gets that much post-discussion, is 4 stars, at least.
July 27, 2021
The cover of Marty is brimming with cuteness. The adorable little Martian would make anyone want to be his friend and it looks as though he loves dressing up, something children will easily relate to. I peeked under the jacket cover and found a surprise of an 'undie', which I love. Marty works hard to fit in to life on earth and Zoey Abbott has created so many gorgeous illustrations capturing the warmth and humor of this character. When Marty faces the feeling of being different, again a very relatable feeling, he also finds generosity and friendship. This is a delightful story and the illustrations are full of color and emotion with plenty of fun images for children to pore over. I hope Marty has a sequel coming. :)
September 25, 2021
A martian specializes in disguises so that no one will realize he's not from earth. The details of all the different costumes are really sweet. I love Marty's attempt to befriend humans throughout all walks of the community, "watching, learning, laughing" with them. Cute cute.
April 3, 2022
Super cute and fun. Young children will love this.
August 27, 2021
8/26/2021 Full review tomorrow at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
August 2, 2021
Marty is a cute story with great illustrations about fitting in and feeling comfortable with being yourself, especially when you find your people.
July 31, 2021
The creative costumes are so much fun. I love stories where a child sees how amazing someone with a big heart is (no matter what they look like or where they come from) and welcome them.
July 18, 2021
A wonderful story about fitting in. When a Martian's identity is exposed, he worries if he'll always be an outsider or if he can find a place to belong.
July 21, 2021
Darling illustrations pair with sparse text for a lovely picture book about friendship, diversity and acceptance!
November 9, 2021
Rachel Noble has written a very sweet story about adorable little Marty, an easy-going lovable Martian just trying to keep a low profile by masquerading in hilarious disguises. When one such get-up (think 1950's Rock 'n' Roll icon) garners too much attention, Marty is rescued by the kindness of others. The story is an easy to read, evenly paced tale with an upbeat ending. Zoey Abbott's illustrations, rendered in a beautiful soothing palette, are very imaginative and humorous. A buoyant and entertaining tale that will leave the little ones smiling.
August 31, 2021
Such a gentle, well-told story about finding one's safe place in a world where fear and suspicion so often keep those who are 'different' in exclusion. Marty is a martian (not an alien, thank you) who spends his life disguising himself in order to blend in until someone reaches out with an offer of friendship and acceptance for who he really is. The illustrations are perfectly suited to the heartwarming text. Children will be utterly charmed by Marty--this is best 'quiet' picture book I've read so far this year.
October 13, 2021
I dare you not to fall in love with Marty!
This endearing Martian spends his life trying to fit in. With his different disguises, he tries hard to keep a low profile on Earth, but not being yourself can make you pretty lonely. But when someone reaches out, he understands it's okay to be who you are.
This is a lovely story about friendship and belonging. Kids will love bright illustrations and different disguises. The beautiful message in this book is interwoven with playful images and fun copy for the whole family!
This endearing Martian spends his life trying to fit in. With his different disguises, he tries hard to keep a low profile on Earth, but not being yourself can make you pretty lonely. But when someone reaches out, he understands it's okay to be who you are.
This is a lovely story about friendship and belonging. Kids will love bright illustrations and different disguises. The beautiful message in this book is interwoven with playful images and fun copy for the whole family!
December 28, 2021
Heartfelt! This story of inclusion is one kids of all ages will relate to. Marty is a Martian who disguises himself to fit in with the rest of the world until someone accepts him for who he really is. Themes of belonging, friendship, and kindness abound throughout the text. Noble’s sparse, engaging text and Abbott’s colorful illustrations address these topics with gentle humor and charm leaving room for further discussion. Little readers are sure to ask to have this adorable story read again and again! Highly recommend!
November 17, 2021
Marty is story of inclusion, kindness and belonging. Noble approaches the subject with humor and grace. Her language is spare and simple, but there are so many hidden messages for further discussion with young readers, like homelessness, loneliness, and being a friend. Abbott’s colorful art is a delight to the eye, and i am sure children will spend hours admiring the wonderfully detailed costumes.
October 3, 2021
Marty, short for Martian, is a misfit. He’s spent his years on earth wearing multiple disguises in order not to stand out as he knows that humans are afraid of Martians and his life on earth would be ruined if he were ever discovered. Eventually, of course, Marty’s cover is blown by a rock star appearance at a local concert and Marty is forced to go into hiding. When young Jake finds Marty’s hiding place he convinces him to come out so they can find a home where Marty can be himself. Marty goes home with Jake and begins a new life as a regular, ordinary kid. This is not the first plotline to involve an alien trying to remain “unseen” on earth (think E.T.) but it’s a cute addition to the mix.
August 17, 2021
“You’ve never noticed him before because he is undercover ... Watching, learning and laughing.”
Marty is a Martian who lives on earth but feels that its necessary to always be in disguise because otherwise people will be scared of him. It is kind of lonely, though, when people don��t see you. One day Marty decides to don a costume that doesn’t hide him, but instead makes him stand out. And he kind of likes it. “Curiosity turned into suspicion. Suspicion turned into investigation. Investigation turned into” ... discovery. His cover is blown, but it doesn’t seem to matter that much. In fact, Jake takes him to a safe place where he can still watch, learn and laugh (School)
Cute.
Marty is a Martian who lives on earth but feels that its necessary to always be in disguise because otherwise people will be scared of him. It is kind of lonely, though, when people don��t see you. One day Marty decides to don a costume that doesn’t hide him, but instead makes him stand out. And he kind of likes it. “Curiosity turned into suspicion. Suspicion turned into investigation. Investigation turned into” ... discovery. His cover is blown, but it doesn’t seem to matter that much. In fact, Jake takes him to a safe place where he can still watch, learn and laugh (School)
Cute.
October 5, 2021
Marty, the Martian, is undercover on his new home Earth. He’s watching and learning all he can so he can fit in. He’s laughing too. I LOVE the humor in this story, as Marty keeps up his disguises and goes about his life. But keeping a low profile can get lonely and good-hearted Marty wants more. This is a story of friendship and finding a safe place to be truly yourself. The illustrations are charming and chock-full of humor and Marty is so adorable a little reader will want to take him home.
October 28, 2021
Marty is a master of disguise, skilled at blending in to hide who he truly is: a Martian. What will happen when he begins embracing his creative, true self, stepping out of the background and on to the stage? A sweet story about being true to yourself and being accepted just as you are, this read aloud is a great discussion starter for conversations about identity, empathy, and allyship. And don’t miss the wonderful bonus illustration under the book jacket!
February 21, 2022
Marty is a Martian who lives in disguise while he watches, learns, and makes friends in a community on Earth. It turns out that hiding in plain sight can be really exhausting, and it's nicer and much easier to just be your authentic self. An endearing story on first read, with a strong message about identity and affirmation beneath.
Read
December 23, 2021Marty is an alien who feels the best way to fit in is to disguise who he really is in order to be accepted. However, upon coming to accept himself, he decides to let his true self show--and finds a home, a family, and friends. A nice story about self-acceptance.
February 19, 2022
This is an OK book about inclusion and feeling lonely or excluded. The illustrations are all right. Not one that is super funny or stands out but not a bad addition to a library that’s looking for more variety on friendship themes.
Notes: 2021. Inclusion.
Notes: 2021. Inclusion.
June 10, 2024
Sweet story about not being afraid to be yourself and stand out, even if others won't respond the way you want them too. By being open to others, you may find a place that's just right for you. On the reverse, it's a message about accepting others for who they are.
August 18, 2021
Very well done.
August 29, 2021
Marty the Martian likes going undercover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2022
Loved Marty’s tree!
Never be afraid to show who you truly are.
Never be afraid to show who you truly are.
May 21, 2022
This is a gorgeous story about Marty the Martian! He really is a master of disguise! Great illustrations and a wonderful ending.
December 4, 2022
Amazing read! Marty is such a cute little character! Rachel is an exceptional writer. Would recommend to anyone with young kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews