New in Town

Pluto Rocket is a friendly and curious pink alien who has landed on earth to carry out a secret mission: “to find out what life is really like here on…the neighbourhood.” The mission is particularly hush-hush because Pluto isn’t supposed to be visiting. With the help of Joe Pidge, a cocky and fast talking pigeon who is a long-time resident of the neighbourhood, Pluto discovers how exciting life on earth can be. Together, they explore the colourful world of hats to best disguise the extraterrestrial traveler, and Joe excitedly takes Pluto for the world’s best taco, only to discover that the taco stand is closed on Tuesdays. Pluto quickly solves the problem by formulating a taco from thin air, and it’s a huge hit with locals, but Joe struggles to share the bounty.

Gilligan wraps lessons about sharing, friendship and community in a colourful graphic novel package full of humour and sass. Bright and saturated illustrations jump off the page and are drawn with bold, simple lines. Pluto is curious, kind and open-minded while Joe is confident, wisecracking and dramatic, making them a funny and engaging pair surrounded by interesting animal neighbourhood inhabitants.

Readers will be clamoring to read the next installment of this new series full of heart.