Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book has nothing more offensive than kid-whining.
Families can talk about what's true about Mars and what isn't. Then as long as their talking about imagination, they can pack up a picnic and head to their own version of Mars.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Dawn Friedman
In this preschool-targeted picture book, Davey Martin, despite being in an intergalactic family helping to settle Mars, is bored. His parents do what parents everywhere do: tell him to go outside and find something to do. So off Davey trots with his mechanical dog, Polaris, to find adventure on the dusty red planet. Kids who love everything about space would love to be in Davey's shoes, of course, but Davey's not that excited -- which is the subtle humor here.
Not subtle at all is the artistry; stand-out color-saturated tributes to style and design. From the family's Airstream rocketship to Davey's Chuck Taylors, the retro-minded story manages to be gorgeous enough to almost lift the hum-drum story. The keyword there is "almost." Despite aliens, giant fish skeletons, and a sudden flood, kids may be bored along with Davey. More style than substance makes this a hard sell to kids who want a good story and to the parents who have to read the book out loud.
From The Book
"The Martians had not been able to take a bath in a very long time, and they smelled worse than skunks. Davey and Polaris joined them in a big rain dance anyway, hopping and howling like real Martians.
Plot Summary:
Davey is bored so his parents send him out to play on the barren desert planet Mars.
Related Books:
Other Books about Whiny Kids:
Meanwhile by Jules Fieffer
Nothing Ever Happens on My Block by Ellen Ruskin
Could Be Worse! by James Stevens
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