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Burt's Way Home
Burt's an orphan, but no regular orphan; he's an orphan of time and space after a cosmic accident left him stranded on earth, or so he says. Lydia is an older woman who has adopted Burt. Together they tell a tale of home and belonging from two different perspectives.
John Martz is a cartoonist and illustrator in Toronto, Ontario. His most recent book, A Cat Named Tim and Other Stories, was shortlisted for The Governor General's Literary Awards and was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age seven).
John Martz is a cartoonist and illustrator in Toronto, Ontario. His most recent book, A Cat Named Tim and Other Stories, was shortlisted for The Governor General's Literary Awards and was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age seven).
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2016
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 16, 2022
This was nice but it could have been much better.
Burt is an “intergalactic trans-dimensional time traveller” who is stranded on earth after a cosmic accident damaged his time-and-space travelling device. He is adopted by an older earthling named Lydia. While she does take good care of his physical needs, she seems to miss out on his emotional requirements. All Burt wants is a way to return home to his parents.
The story itself makes for a poignant possibility. And to a certain extent, it delivers on the emotions. Lydia’s haplessness and Burt’s strong sense of ‘hiraeth’ is conveyed clearly. However, this is a picture book that might leave its little readers somewhat bereft of satisfaction because:
1. It doesn’t have a happy ending. Heck, it doesn’t even have a proper ending. It just has a dangling emotional scene at the end.
2. The story is written in a dual style. Lydia’s 1st person thoughts are written on a blue background with a full-page illustration on the other side of the page. Burt’s 1st person pov is written in a graphic comic format, with four story panels on each page. Having both the narratives in first person is confusing because the only clue about the change in narrative is the change in storyboarding. Younger children might get confused with this approach.
The illustrations are in shades of dominant blue with black and white flourishes. The colour palette suits the story. The sketchwork is quite simplistic yet impactful. I liked how Burt was drawn but couldn’t understand why Lydia was portrayed more like a mouse/rat than a lady. Even her neighbour is portrayed as a beaver.(?) Why this decision when the story has them living just as humans do?
Other reviews mention that the story works as a metaphor for the foster care system. This wasn’t obvious to me at all; I was in a literal sci-fi mode and hence missed out on anything allegorical. But if their observation is right, why is the story so melancholy? It will end up depressing children who are in the foster system even more. Surely they deserve more happiness and require more support for their wellbeing.
Overall, I would have loved the story much more if it had tackled the above issues. It had great potential to be an emotionally impactful experience but it ended up as an average read for me.
My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra, and NetGalley for the ARC of “Burt's Way Home”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Burt is an “intergalactic trans-dimensional time traveller” who is stranded on earth after a cosmic accident damaged his time-and-space travelling device. He is adopted by an older earthling named Lydia. While she does take good care of his physical needs, she seems to miss out on his emotional requirements. All Burt wants is a way to return home to his parents.
The story itself makes for a poignant possibility. And to a certain extent, it delivers on the emotions. Lydia’s haplessness and Burt’s strong sense of ‘hiraeth’ is conveyed clearly. However, this is a picture book that might leave its little readers somewhat bereft of satisfaction because:
1. It doesn’t have a happy ending. Heck, it doesn’t even have a proper ending. It just has a dangling emotional scene at the end.
2. The story is written in a dual style. Lydia’s 1st person thoughts are written on a blue background with a full-page illustration on the other side of the page. Burt’s 1st person pov is written in a graphic comic format, with four story panels on each page. Having both the narratives in first person is confusing because the only clue about the change in narrative is the change in storyboarding. Younger children might get confused with this approach.
The illustrations are in shades of dominant blue with black and white flourishes. The colour palette suits the story. The sketchwork is quite simplistic yet impactful. I liked how Burt was drawn but couldn’t understand why Lydia was portrayed more like a mouse/rat than a lady. Even her neighbour is portrayed as a beaver.(?) Why this decision when the story has them living just as humans do?
Other reviews mention that the story works as a metaphor for the foster care system. This wasn’t obvious to me at all; I was in a literal sci-fi mode and hence missed out on anything allegorical. But if their observation is right, why is the story so melancholy? It will end up depressing children who are in the foster system even more. Surely they deserve more happiness and require more support for their wellbeing.
Overall, I would have loved the story much more if it had tackled the above issues. It had great potential to be an emotionally impactful experience but it ended up as an average read for me.
My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra, and NetGalley for the ARC of “Burt's Way Home”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
January 8, 2022
Burt is in foster care of Lydia. Burt is convinced he has lost his way from his parents, who are left in a different dimension. He has a thingamajig that is supposed to take him back to them, but it's broken. He spends the book trying to repair it, while Lydia looks on and supports him as best as he can.
Is Burt truly lost? He makes a good case. Does Burt have trouble accepting Lydia as his carer? Maybe.
It's an enigmatic little book, that poses a lot of questions and doesn't answer them. Which is fine, the questions are interesting enough. It's quite moving to see how Lydia handles Burt.
The art is great, it's just the sweetest.
(Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
Is Burt truly lost? He makes a good case. Does Burt have trouble accepting Lydia as his carer? Maybe.
It's an enigmatic little book, that poses a lot of questions and doesn't answer them. Which is fine, the questions are interesting enough. It's quite moving to see how Lydia handles Burt.
The art is great, it's just the sweetest.
(Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
July 6, 2017
Burt is stranded on earth, or so he says. Lydia is an older woman who adopts him. “Lydia isn’t my mother,” Burt tells us. “My name isn’t even Burt.” A sweet story from Koyama Press, about home and belonging, seeing things from different perspectives, learning from each other. For younger audiences, though my tween kids liked it a lot. Light and fun and sweet, and it is surprisingly moving in the end for such a young story. Unconditional interspecies love!
One of the five nominees for the 2017 Eisner Award for Early Readers (up to 8), but the lump in my throat tells me it is for all ages.
Here's a place you can see some sample pages:
http://johnmartz.com/books/burts-way-...
One of the five nominees for the 2017 Eisner Award for Early Readers (up to 8), but the lump in my throat tells me it is for all ages.
Here's a place you can see some sample pages:
http://johnmartz.com/books/burts-way-...
November 25, 2022
A story with two separate POVs and two separate meanings.
One, is a little boy's whose parents got lost in space and he has been tasked with finding them.
The other one, is an older lady's who's caring (fostering) the boy.
And depending whose POV you follow, you get a different story.
I really liked that duality, the art style and the meaning behind the story. I can't remember the last time I read something about adoption/fostering.
What I wasn't a fan of, was how abrupt the ending was. It felt like there was no resolution and I think I'd like a more "the little boy is still dealing with his parents' absence, but has come out of his cell and is adjusting to his new life" type of ending. Oh well, the whole book is still nice tho.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One, is a little boy's whose parents got lost in space and he has been tasked with finding them.
The other one, is an older lady's who's caring (fostering) the boy.
And depending whose POV you follow, you get a different story.
I really liked that duality, the art style and the meaning behind the story. I can't remember the last time I read something about adoption/fostering.
What I wasn't a fan of, was how abrupt the ending was. It felt like there was no resolution and I think I'd like a more "the little boy is still dealing with his parents' absence, but has come out of his cell and is adjusting to his new life" type of ending. Oh well, the whole book is still nice tho.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2022
Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the advance reading copy.
A very wintery vibe read I would say. I like the illustrations and the colour pattern used in sync with the characters and the story.
However, I would have loved the book better if it was a bit on a livelier side regarding the presentation considering the target audience.
A very wintery vibe read I would say. I like the illustrations and the colour pattern used in sync with the characters and the story.
However, I would have loved the book better if it was a bit on a livelier side regarding the presentation considering the target audience.
January 5, 2022
Enigmatic piece that apparently won an Eisner nomination on first being published. We get quiet, subdued splash-pages with a short sentence in a typewritten font, where a woman hopes someone called Burt will fit in. It doesn't look like that will happen, however, because in between her bits are Burt's, in regular comic strip format, and he just wants to get his time machine mended and back into the outer universe. It might look like Burt is also a human and has just been adopted or fostered out to the older character, but then again – perhaps he really is an orphan from the distant other. Of course it wants to speak in its quiet, unshowy way about adoptions and how people struggle to fit into the constructed families of the modern age, but in leaving it so open as to how Burt might just be telling the truth it kind of loses some of the message. Three and a half stars.
June 26, 2022
NetGalley ARC.
It didn't make any sense. And then it just ended. ?! I was disappointed. It started out so sweet and cute and then it just...went.
It didn't make any sense. And then it just ended. ?! I was disappointed. It started out so sweet and cute and then it just...went.
January 5, 2022
This book is either about a boy who comes from another world, who lost his parents, and now resides on earth, or he is a boy who has lost his parents, and is from earth. We dont’ really know, and it really isn’t important.
This picture book/graphic novel is told in two voices, that of Burt, and how he came from another time and planet, and desperately wants to get home, and that of his foster mother, who wants only to help him.
Burt keeps making devices with bits of elctornics, to see if he can contact his parents, out in space. His foster mother humors him.
I am touched by this story, because I used to always believe I was an alien on earth. It is, I think, a common feeling, of not fitting in with the other humans. Burt lives in his world, where all he wants to do is to go home.
Since we dont’ know what the truth is, and we realize that we dont’ need to know the truth, we can just accept this story for what it is, on both levels.
A good way to help children who have been thrown into foster care through no fault of their own. And a good story for those who have always felt as though we just have to find our real parents out there in space.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This picture book/graphic novel is told in two voices, that of Burt, and how he came from another time and planet, and desperately wants to get home, and that of his foster mother, who wants only to help him.
Burt keeps making devices with bits of elctornics, to see if he can contact his parents, out in space. His foster mother humors him.
I am touched by this story, because I used to always believe I was an alien on earth. It is, I think, a common feeling, of not fitting in with the other humans. Burt lives in his world, where all he wants to do is to go home.
Since we dont’ know what the truth is, and we realize that we dont’ need to know the truth, we can just accept this story for what it is, on both levels.
A good way to help children who have been thrown into foster care through no fault of their own. And a good story for those who have always felt as though we just have to find our real parents out there in space.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
March 6, 2017
Heartbreaking, heart-mending.
January 9, 2022
This hit me in the feels. However, the ending fell a bit flat. We need more people like Lydia though.
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I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2022
It's the "found family," trope at its sweetest.
My only complaint is that it wasn't longer.
My only complaint is that it wasn't longer.
February 1, 2018
Hmmm.....I Burt really an intergalactic traveler? I think that's the question you're supposed to be asking, and Burt's Way Home doesn't give you any answers. It is a peek through a keyhole of the relationship between Burt and Lydia, and maybe some of our own relationships as well...
January 9, 2022
I enjoyed the emotional warmth of a selfless guardian trying to keep Burt warm outside and within despite his vast disconnect with everything around him and the adorable art style but I was annoyed by the vague ending.
March 17, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Burt's Way Home by John Martz is a children's graphic novel that will have you laughing at loud at moments, and somberly thinking about your life at other moments. The story revolves around Burt, a bird-like alien who is stranded on earth and trying to build a contraption to make his way home. His foster mother, Lydia, sees things from her own perspective. Can the two learn to live with each other and come to a mutual understanding?
Overall, Burt's Way Home is like a breath of fresh air. Based on the cover, I wasn't sure to expect, but this book honestly blew my expectations out of the water. It was poignant, touching, and reminded me of watching a Pixar film. This is definitely a graphic novel for children, but I think that adults will appreciate it, too, and see things that children can't. I was so wrapped up in the drama of Burt's journey home and his relationship with his foster mother Lydia. I definitely hope that a sequel is coming soon, because I want to know what happens next! If you're intrigued by the description, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in July!
Burt's Way Home by John Martz is a children's graphic novel that will have you laughing at loud at moments, and somberly thinking about your life at other moments. The story revolves around Burt, a bird-like alien who is stranded on earth and trying to build a contraption to make his way home. His foster mother, Lydia, sees things from her own perspective. Can the two learn to live with each other and come to a mutual understanding?
Overall, Burt's Way Home is like a breath of fresh air. Based on the cover, I wasn't sure to expect, but this book honestly blew my expectations out of the water. It was poignant, touching, and reminded me of watching a Pixar film. This is definitely a graphic novel for children, but I think that adults will appreciate it, too, and see things that children can't. I was so wrapped up in the drama of Burt's journey home and his relationship with his foster mother Lydia. I definitely hope that a sequel is coming soon, because I want to know what happens next! If you're intrigued by the description, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in July!
December 24, 2023
2/5 stars.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing me a free review copy of this book.
I really wanted to enjoy "Burt's Way Home," a short, illustrated book by John Martz. This books offers a whimsical journey through its illustrations, but the storyline lacks depth and seems to fall short in many ways.
My biggest issue with this book was that I am very confused about who the target audience is supposed to be. At first glance, it appears to be a book for children because of the simple illustrations and short length of the book, but the actually wording inside was for more advanced readers - "intergalactic," "transdimensional," and "chronomorphic."
My other major is that, even though this book is apparently about the struggles of foster care, that is not extremely clear from the first read through.
I did enjoy the sci-fi aspects, the illustrations, and color palette, but it fell short everywhere else for me. Overall, it falls short of creating a memorable literary experience. 2/5 stars.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing me a free review copy of this book.
I really wanted to enjoy "Burt's Way Home," a short, illustrated book by John Martz. This books offers a whimsical journey through its illustrations, but the storyline lacks depth and seems to fall short in many ways.
My biggest issue with this book was that I am very confused about who the target audience is supposed to be. At first glance, it appears to be a book for children because of the simple illustrations and short length of the book, but the actually wording inside was for more advanced readers - "intergalactic," "transdimensional," and "chronomorphic."
My other major is that, even though this book is apparently about the struggles of foster care, that is not extremely clear from the first read through.
I did enjoy the sci-fi aspects, the illustrations, and color palette, but it fell short everywhere else for me. Overall, it falls short of creating a memorable literary experience. 2/5 stars.
December 24, 2023
2/5 stars.
I really wanted to enjoy "Burt's Way Home," a short, illustrated book by John Martz. This books offers a whimsical journey through its illustrations, but the storyline lacks depth and seems to fall short in many ways.
My biggest issue with this book was that I am very confused about who the target audience is supposed to be. At first glance, it appears to be a book for children because of the simple illustrations and short length of the book, but the actually wording inside was for more advanced readers - "intergalactic," "transdimensional," and "chronomorphic."
My other major is that, even though this book is apparently about the struggles of foster care, that is not extremely clear from the first read through.
I did enjoy the sci-fi aspects, the illustrations, and color palette but fell short everywhere else for me. Overall, it falls short of creating a memorable literary experience. 2/5 stars.
I really wanted to enjoy "Burt's Way Home," a short, illustrated book by John Martz. This books offers a whimsical journey through its illustrations, but the storyline lacks depth and seems to fall short in many ways.
My biggest issue with this book was that I am very confused about who the target audience is supposed to be. At first glance, it appears to be a book for children because of the simple illustrations and short length of the book, but the actually wording inside was for more advanced readers - "intergalactic," "transdimensional," and "chronomorphic."
My other major is that, even though this book is apparently about the struggles of foster care, that is not extremely clear from the first read through.
I did enjoy the sci-fi aspects, the illustrations, and color palette but fell short everywhere else for me. Overall, it falls short of creating a memorable literary experience. 2/5 stars.
May 22, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Children’s for the ARC of this.
Emotional and open ended, this story leaves much to the reader to decide and add context to. As an adult, I felt that Burt was a traumatized child in foster care and Lydia was trying her best to help him settle in, and that the open ending was leading to her taking him back to her/their home. My 5 year old was disappointed by the ending and said “I wish we’d gotten to see him go home” and took it as a literal space and time traveler, while I thought that was Burt’s imagining to cover the hurt of why his parents aren’t there. I like a more clear message, even if it’s painful, because I think it’s helpful for children to work through hard feelings with a book, and this felt too abstract to me, while not quite feeling like just a science fiction story.
Emotional and open ended, this story leaves much to the reader to decide and add context to. As an adult, I felt that Burt was a traumatized child in foster care and Lydia was trying her best to help him settle in, and that the open ending was leading to her taking him back to her/their home. My 5 year old was disappointed by the ending and said “I wish we’d gotten to see him go home” and took it as a literal space and time traveler, while I thought that was Burt’s imagining to cover the hurt of why his parents aren’t there. I like a more clear message, even if it’s painful, because I think it’s helpful for children to work through hard feelings with a book, and this felt too abstract to me, while not quite feeling like just a science fiction story.
March 16, 2022
I don't know if it's being republished because of the increase in publication of graphic novels for younger readers but it's worth revisiting because it was delightful in it's premise and the dual story-- Burt trying to use tools around the human, Lydia's, house to transform them into the machine he needs to get back to his home planet, while Lydia wonders how comfortable Burt is and lamenting about how much he's been through while trying to figure out where the TV remote went. Two different motivations but with the heartwarming connection between alien and human that's a little ET meets space odyssey.
Burt is a cool character and for the children's audience it's intended for, engaging.
Burt is a cool character and for the children's audience it's intended for, engaging.
September 6, 2022
Burt is lost and looking for a way home. He believes - the way only a small child can believe - that his parents are out there looking for him, and if he can only fix his chronomorphic engine properly, he can join them. At the same time, Lydia is very concerned; Burt is her foster child, and he is not settling in. The two stories are interwoven in a way that is supported by the pictures, which make it clear that Burt and Lydia are very different in fundamental ways, and yet still very much the same, and leaves the ending open for the imagination of the reader. Beautifully and yet simply written, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers.
January 9, 2022
4.5 *stars*
Big thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing this book!
I read this book through my kindle and it was not readable at all. Keep that in mind! I switched to NetGalley app on my phone to read this one.
I really liked the color scheme and illustrations. I really enjoyed the fact that this book is reminiscent of children's imaginations. How interesting and powerful it is.
Although I enjoyed it, it seems that this book was a little too short. Something was missing.
Thanks!
Big thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing this book!
I read this book through my kindle and it was not readable at all. Keep that in mind! I switched to NetGalley app on my phone to read this one.
I really liked the color scheme and illustrations. I really enjoyed the fact that this book is reminiscent of children's imaginations. How interesting and powerful it is.
Although I enjoyed it, it seems that this book was a little too short. Something was missing.
Thanks!
March 8, 2022
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley.
Burt is a young(?) space alien who is stranded on Earth. Readers meet him as he explains where he is and see him longing to go home. A lovely woman, Lydia, has taken him in and made him her own. Readers also see her story interwoven with Burt's. The artwork is fun to look at and study to see more details about their life.
Martz captures the connections between them and leaves readers wondering at the end. Which home did they go to? Was this his imagination all along?
I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley.
Burt is a young(?) space alien who is stranded on Earth. Readers meet him as he explains where he is and see him longing to go home. A lovely woman, Lydia, has taken him in and made him her own. Readers also see her story interwoven with Burt's. The artwork is fun to look at and study to see more details about their life.
Martz captures the connections between them and leaves readers wondering at the end. Which home did they go to? Was this his imagination all along?
January 6, 2022
On surface , it's a story of an alien stranded on Earth , who is desperately trying to go back home. But it is also a story of a lovely lady who took her in and despite his weird ways , loves and cares for him. It can be a metaphor for kids who feel lost or foster care or just finding love , no matter where you come from. This was a really sweet story and the art work was so beautiful. Despite being set in a cold city , this one is full of warmth.
January 30, 2022
Burt's Way Home is a really fabulous book. It is a good way to introduce children to the foster care system. To show them that not all children come from the same home dynamic. But it also doesn't draw a ton of attention to it. It can be a conversation starter. It's also a reflection of some children so they can see their life in a book. It is such a cute book and I can't wait to share it with my future students.
March 18, 2022
Burt's Way Home is a children's graphic novel following Burt, an alien stranded on Earth as he tries to find a way home, and Lydia, his guardian, who looks after him on Earth. The story follows both perspectives as Burt attempts to fix the technology that will allow him to travel across time and space to return to his parents.
It is a very quick and cute story with a family feel to it. It will allow the imagination of young children to go wild!
It is a very quick and cute story with a family feel to it. It will allow the imagination of young children to go wild!
August 24, 2022
Such a brilliant book that appeals to a range of readers - packed full of time travel, family, and space adventures, told from two perspectives. The comic format and limited color are beautiful. The language makes this accessible to younger readers as well - but it's a sophisticated story. If read aloud I could see this opening up great conversations about foster care, unique family situations, using our imagination as a way to feel safe, etc. John Martz is a wonderful storyteller and artist.
September 29, 2017
Brilliant book. A genuinely touching story of parenthood (if your a grown up) or a exciting tale a young hero space explorer (if your a child)
Both me and my young son loved this book, but read it very differently. I read it at my desk, he read it sat in the kitchen.
You should buy it. John Martz is a master of cartooning.
Both me and my young son loved this book, but read it very differently. I read it at my desk, he read it sat in the kitchen.
You should buy it. John Martz is a master of cartooning.
May 1, 2022
This is a graphic novel with heart! Burt is stuck on Earth, a victim of an intergalactic hiccup, and will do whatever it takes to find his way home. The beautifully stark illustrations and dual point of view narrative make this a nuanced book with a wonderful message. Love takes all shapes and forms, and we will often climb mountains to get to the ones we call family.
June 8, 2022
I received an eARC courtesy of Tundra Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Unexpectedly adorable. At first I was not sure how I was feeling about it, but it was just charming. Some readers may be confused about the parallel storytelling.
For libraries: A very unique story for early graphic readers.
Unexpectedly adorable. At first I was not sure how I was feeling about it, but it was just charming. Some readers may be confused about the parallel storytelling.
For libraries: A very unique story for early graphic readers.
December 4, 2021
Woo, that got me right in the heart. Burt is so cute and determined to find his way home. Lydia is so patient and caring. I hope that every foster child gets to experience that level of understanding from their foster parent(s).
January 16, 2022
I had tears in my eyes half way through. It’s a sad story about a little boy who is in foster care. He is trying to get back to his “home” planet. It’s nice seeing Lydia supporting what he is going through as you can only imagine what’s going on in this young boys head
4/5 stars
4/5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews