Product Description

Marlon the monster is back! He's a little older, a little wiser and ready to deal with life's problems - such as what to do when the other little monsters keep changing the game! Marlon wants to play Musketeers with Basher, Bumps-a-daisy and Alligatina. But by the time he's dressed up, the game has changed - and it seems to be a case of all for one and one for all...except Marlon! Find out Marlon's cool solution in this sparking follow-up to the Smarties Book Prize Winner, The Last Noo-noo.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1026974 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 25 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
All For One continues the adventures of award-winning writer and illustrator Jill Murphy's endearing creation, Marlon the monster, first seen in The Last Noo Noo. In this story, Marlon is now slightly older and is faced with the problem of how to amuse himself, having exhausted all the appeal of creating intergalactic battles with his long-suffering mum's furniture. "I wish I had someone to play with" complains Marlon, and goes off in search of companions Alligatina, Boomps-a-daisy and Basher.

He finds the friends dressed as the three Musketeers, but they're reluctant to let him join in their fun—"We'll think about it" being their refrain. Marlon persuades his mum and grumpy Granny to help him put together a dressing-up costume, but finds that his monster friends keep changing their game and he's still excluded! However, the tables are turned when Marlon's luxurious paddling pool appears in his back garden.

Murphy depicts in an instantly recognisable way the rivalries and complications of childhood friendships, interspersed with Marlon's granny's humorously dour observations. Although all the characters are (distinctly un-scary) monsters, Murphy's highly detailed illustrations capture very human mannerisms and behaviour. Marlon's creative approach to occupying himself will also inspire young readers with ideas for "make-believe" games of their own. (Ages four to seven.) --Alison Drury

Review
This is a fun tale by master-storyteller Murphy in which Marlon the monster runs out of things to do. Despite a variety of hazardous solitary imaginative pursuits, he's bored and wants someone to play with. He goes outside and finds Basher, Boomps-a-daisy and Alligatina playing the three musketeers - but they reject his idea of a fourth musketeer. 'We'll think about it', says Basher, so Marlon rushes home and - with Mum and Granny's help - dresses up like a musketeer and runs back. But the others aren't playing musketeers any more, they're pirates now. And when poor Marlon asks to play too, Basher says, 'We'll think about it.' Again, he rushes home and, this time, dresses up as a pirate - only to find the others having a gymnastic contest. Marlon isn't very good at gymnastic contests (especially with Basher in them), so he gives up and goes home. Mum agrees to put up his new paddling pool and brings him a piece of cake, so he doesn't starve, then when it starts to rain Mum gets the big umbrella to shield him and stop the cake from getting soggy. On their way home, Basher, Boomps-a-daisy and Alligatina look over Marlon's wall, think the pool looks cool and beg to be allowed to come and play in it. 'I'll think about it,' says Marlon. Great fun for small children learning about play and friendship. Ages 4-6 (Kirkus UK)

Murphy's lovable little monster, Marlon (The Last Noo-Noo, 1995) returns in a heartfelt and ultimately triumphant tale about being excluded. Weary of playing alone, Marlon eagerly approaches the neighborhood children to join their games. However, while the trio may have such hilarious names such as Alligantina and Boomps-a-Daisy, their actions are not so amusing. Each time Marlon attempts to participate, the children abruptly change the venue, moving from Musketeers to Pirates to gymnastics in rapid succession. After several episodes of being deliberately left out of the play, Marlon hits upon the very idea to soothe his wounded self-esteem. Murphy's shrewd tale illuminates a grievous yet common childhood dilemma and the elemental truth that is at the heart of this matter. Marlon's determination to make his own fun has wondrous results; soon the trio is longingly watching Marlon frolic in his backyard "ocean" and eager to participate in his play. The crisp lines and vibrant tones of Murphy's pen and colored-pencil illustrations make a vivid impact. Her detailed, imaginative drawings of the monsters add a comical flair to the tale, balancing out the poignancy and of the situation. Astutely conveying a vital life lesson with aplomb while avoiding any treacly sentimentalism, this is definitely to be shared with any child navigating the rocky waters of peer relations. (Picture book. 4-8) (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author
Jill Murphy is one of this country's best-known author/illustrators. She wrote and illustrated her first book, The Worst Witch, while still only eighteen and a student at Chelsea Art School. Since then, she has produced many bestselling titles, including several more Worst Witch stories and, for Walker, Worlds Apart and the picture books Five Minutes' Peace (Winner of the Best Books for Babies Award); All in One Piece (Highly Commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal); A Piece of Cake; A Quiet Night In (shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal); and another book about Marlon: The Last Noo-noo (Winner of the Smarties Book Prize, the Acorn Award and the Sheffield Children's Book Award.)

Customer Reviews

For when children feel "left out" teaches them to be themselves.
Featuring Marlon from The Last Noo Noo (another classic Jill Murphy)in this whimsical tale his friends won't let him join in with their games, everytime he runs home to change into a pirate, or spaceman, or musketeer they change the rules and say they are playing something different now. Eventually Marlon gives up trying to be part of the crowd and invents his own game and once the other monsters see it of course they are then asking him if they can join in. "I'll think about it" he says. A lovely book to share with a child teaching them not only about friendship and not excluding other children but also that by relying on themselves and their own resources they can often turn a situation round. What I really love about both marlon books is the mother and grandmother relationship "One word from you and he does what he wants" says strict gran to soft mum - reflecting perfectly the generational tensions that sometimes come through during child rearing!