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!
NOMINEE
| 2025 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
SHORTLIST
| 2025 The Joan Betty Stuchner - Oy Vey! - Funniest Children's Book Award
SHORTLIST
| 2024 Doug Wright Award for Best Book
A Golden Duck Notable Picture Books List Pick
PRAISE FOR Pluto Rocket: New in Town
"Gilligan’s offbeat, random humor ensures that the stories are fresh, and the laughs are genuine. . . . Not one to miss." — STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
“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 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
PAUL GILLIGAN writes and draws the syndicated comic strip Pooch Café 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 Pluto Rocket: New in Town, Pluto Rocket: Joe Pidge Flips a Lid, Pluto Rocket: Full Blast!, King of the Mole People and its sequel, Rise of the Slugs, and the graphic memoir Boy vs. Shark. He also has animated shows in development with Guru Animation, the CW Network and the BBC. Paul is based in Toronto, Ontario.
View titles by Paul Gilligan
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!
Awards
NOMINEE
| 2025 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
SHORTLIST
| 2025 The Joan Betty Stuchner - Oy Vey! - Funniest Children's Book Award
SHORTLIST
| 2024 Doug Wright Award for Best Book
Praise
A Golden Duck Notable Picture Books List Pick
PRAISE FOR Pluto Rocket: New in Town
"Gilligan’s offbeat, random humor ensures that the stories are fresh, and the laughs are genuine. . . . Not one to miss." — STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
“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 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
Author
PAUL GILLIGAN writes and draws the syndicated comic strip Pooch Café 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 Pluto Rocket: New in Town, Pluto Rocket: Joe Pidge Flips a Lid, Pluto Rocket: Full Blast!, King of the Mole People and its sequel, Rise of the Slugs, and the graphic memoir Boy vs. Shark. He also has animated shows in development with Guru Animation, the CW Network and the BBC. Paul is based in Toronto, Ontario.
View titles by Paul Gilligan
