Pluto Rocket: New in Town (Pluto Rocket #1)

by Paul Gilligan

Overview

Meet Pluto Rocket, a friendly alien, and Joe Pidge, a wise-cracking pigeon, in the first book of this hilarious new early graphic novel series, for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Pizza and Taco!

Joe Pidge, not just a pigeon but also the stylish king of the neighborhood, is bobbing his way down the street one day when, all of a sudden, Pluto Rocket enters the scene. It turns out, Pluto is from another planet, and is disguising herself for her secret mission — to find out what life in the neighborhood is really like.

Lucky for Pluto, Joe Pidge has seen it all before, eaten it all before, and pooped on it all before, so he takes her under his wing and the two become fast friends. But Joe is the one who actually learns a thing or two and whose mind is blown by the out-of-this-world Pluto in this hilarious graphic novel series from Paul Gilligan, creator of the syndicated comic strip Pooch Café!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735271920
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	01/31/2023
Series:	Pluto Rocket , #1
Pages:	88
Sales rank:	621,231
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.35(d)
Lexile:	GN340L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

PAUL GILLIGAN writes and draws the syndicated comic strip Pooch Cafe with Andrews McMeel, which runs in over 250 newspapers around the world and has been twice nominated by the National Cartoonist Society for best strip. He is also the author-illustrator of King of the Mole People and its sequel, Rise of the Slugs. He also has other animated shows in development with Guru Animation, the CW Network and the BBC. Paul is based in Toronto, Ontario.

Editorial Reviews

11/28/2022

Traveling alone, Pluto Rocket, an effervescent pink biomorphic alien with striped antennae, has just arrived on Earth to carry out a top-secret mission: find out what life is like in an Earth neighborhood. Soon, she meets Joe Pidge, a boater-wearing pigeon self-proclaimed as “the hippest, coolest, most awesome dude around.” In three chapters depicting classic fish-out-of-water shenanigans, the duo tour Joe’s quirkily diverse community—the diverting “neigborhood-ians,” as Pluto deems them, include more talking animals, Abraham Lincoln, a Brunhilda figure, and a T. rex—as the pigeon teaches Pluto how to rock her own personal style, adopt contemporary slang (“MIND BLOWN!”), and savor tacos. Joe isn’t solely in charge, however, and not all of his lessons go according to plan; upon discovering that the pigeon’s favorite taco stand is closed, the alien “formulates” an exact facsimile out of thin air. In this madcap graphic novel series’ inaugural tale, Gilligan (the King of the Mole People series) imparts somewhat standard lessons about friendship and sharing, but its saucy vibe and Pluto’s boundless curiosity, optimism, and extraterrestrial wizardry will easily melt even the most streetwise bird’s heart. Ages 6–9. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

A Golden Duck Notable Picture Books List Pick

PRAISE FOR Pluto Rocket: New in Town

“I laughed out loud at Pluto Rocket. I want to buy the book now, I want to buy the many sequels it will have and I want to watch the TV adaptation, which we all know would be foolish not to do. . . . Funny and sweet and a feast for the eyes. A+!” —T.L. McBeth, author and illustrator of Randy, the Badly Drawn Horse

"Uncluttered, colorful cartoon art helps tell this sweetly funny story of the eager adventurer Pluto and her guide, Joe, who transforms from braggart to best friend. Humor and dynamic characters create a tale of cooperation, sharing, and friendship." —Kirkus Reviews

"Its saucy vibe and Pluto’s boundless curiosity, optimism, and extraterrestrial wizardry will easily melt even the most streetwise bird’s heart." —Publishers Weekly

"Gilligan’s offbeat, random humor ensures that the stories are fresh, and the laughs are genuine. . . . Not one to miss." —School Library Journal

"Gilligan wraps lessons about sharing, friendship and community in a colourful graphic novel package full of humour and sass. . . . Readers will be clamoring to read the next installment of this new series full of heart." —CM: Review of Canadian Materials

From the Publisher

★ 12/02/2023

Gr 1–4—When alien Pluto Rocket lands on Earth to investigate and carry out her secret mission, she buddies up with the first Earthling she sees: a fashionable pigeon named Joe Pidge. From there, the two go on a variety of adventures, often revolving around Pluto Rocket's excitement and unfiltered magic, which pairs well against Joe's brashness and obliviousness. The ending of the third chapter hints at exploring more of Pluto's home planet and truly moving the story forward, a welcome contradiction to similar stories that are content to spin their wheels, and it will be fascinating to see this series develop. Gilligan's offbeat, random humor ensures that the stories are fresh, and the laughs are genuine, such as ending a story with a merry-go-round hat that can shoot French fries. The simple yet charming character design nicely matches the understated color palette, placing the focus on the humor and the developing friendship. VERDICT This first installment of "Pluto Rocket" is not one to miss.—Peter Blenski

School Library Journal

2022-12-14
Pluto Rocket is on a secret mission to “find out what life is really like here on…‘the neighborhood.’ ”

Joe Pidge, a cocky pigeon with a penchant for coining phrases, is the perfect guide for Pluto, a magenta rocket who has landed on Earth. But first, Pluto must change her hat because it is identical to Joe’s “super-flavio look.” After rejecting several ridiculous alternatives, Joe decides Pluto’s natural magenta- and purple-striped antennae are amazing and encourages her to refuse to blend in. Joe then takes Pluto to taste the best taco, but when they find Taco Terry’s closed, Pluto “formulate[s]” an alternative “out of thin air.” Wowing the neighborhood with her tacos, Pluto gets too much attention for someone on a secret mission, so Joe creates a pigeon disguise for her, but she still stands out. A jealous Joe tries to regain his status as the most outstanding pigeon. Although he is again super-flavio, Joe is sad that Pluto will return home at the end of her mission and recognizes that friendship, sealed with a hug, is what matters most. The story ends with a promise of a sequel when someone on Pluto’s planet wonders where she is. Uncluttered, colorful cartoon art helps tell this sweetly funny story of the eager adventurer Pluto and her guide, Joe, who transforms from braggart to best friend.

Humor and dynamic characters create a tale of cooperation, sharing, and friendship. (Graphic novel. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews