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Review: Show and Smell

Show and Smell
Written by Deanna Kent
Illustrated by Neil Hooson
Random House Children's Books, 2023. Comics. 56 pages.

Four wide-eyed and adorable aliens are roused one morning with the chance to visit Earth.  In their attempt to find out the best way to learn about Earth and it's people, they turn to their intergalatic computer for answers.  Unfortunately, it's on the fritz and through a misguessed word, the aliens are mistakenly sent on a search for Earth's smelliest smells.

Marshmallow Martians is a delightfully silly read.  The four colorful little aliens have an unending enthusiasm and energy about them which makes them endearing protagonists.  Younger readers who love a little bit of gross humor will get a kick out of all the stinky smells the aliens collect, and the final show and smell on their ship is a great finale to this goofy good time. 

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