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Space Case #2
Merry Christmas, Space Case
Buddy McGee eagerly awaits a promised Christmas visit from his friend, the thing form outer space.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1986
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
James Marshall
149 books141 followersJames Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992), who also wrote as Edward Marshall, was a children's author and illustrator.
His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.
It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.
In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.
His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.
It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.
In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 12, 2019
The alien Thing from outer space, which first appeared in
Space Case
, arriving on Earth at Halloween and blending in with the trick-or-treaters, returns in this second picture-book adventure. Buddy McGee, the Thing's human friend, eagerly awaits its promised return, supposed to occur at Christmas. After some delays, and a few threats from some unpleasant neighbors who don't believe his story, Buddy's alien friend does appear...
Somehow, although it boasts the same droll artwork and offbeat sense of humor as its predecessor, I didn't quite enjoy Merry Christmas, Space Case as much as I expected to. It was funny, but not chuckling aloud funny, like the first book. I did like the fact that Grannie and the Thing got along so well, and enjoyed talking about science with one another, and I did enjoy the artwork. Maybe I just expected more, given that this was a Christmas tale? Anyhow, despite being rather lukewarm myself, I think young children who enjoyed the first book about this little alien might also enjoy this holiday sequel, and it is to them that I would recommend it.
Somehow, although it boasts the same droll artwork and offbeat sense of humor as its predecessor, I didn't quite enjoy Merry Christmas, Space Case as much as I expected to. It was funny, but not chuckling aloud funny, like the first book. I did like the fact that Grannie and the Thing got along so well, and enjoyed talking about science with one another, and I did enjoy the artwork. Maybe I just expected more, given that this was a Christmas tale? Anyhow, despite being rather lukewarm myself, I think young children who enjoyed the first book about this little alien might also enjoy this holiday sequel, and it is to them that I would recommend it.
August 13, 2019
It was ok. I would t read it twice.
May 13, 2021
James Marshall is so weird and I'm here for it.
December 9, 2021
Entertaining, but strange. For kids that love aliens, it's a go. I like that the bullies get what is coming to them!
January 18, 2024
A very cute and different Christmas story.
December 12, 2011
Merry Christmas, Space Case by James Marshall is the sequel to the very funny Space Case with the thing returning to Earth to visit Buddy at Christmas.
Buddy McGee's family is going to Granny's for the day, and Buddy is afraid he'll miss Space Case on Earth altogether. Buddy tells the mean kids next door to Granny about the thing, and they threaten him for being a wise guy. After the thing visits alligators, asks a baby for directions, and is pulled over for speeding, he finally arrives at Granny's in the nick of time to help Buddy.
The text has the same goofy humor of Space Case, with the thing confused as to who are people, and an adult confusing the thing with a foreign sports car. The font is large and this could be used as a beginning / transitional reader, as well as a read-aloud.
The illustrations are a high point: perfect for this off-beat sequel. My favorite images include the cover, the Goobers on bicycles, the thing visiting the gators, the thing getting a ticket, the Goobers as snowmen, and the final image.
While not as great as the original, this is a funny story and it's nice to see Buddy and the thing together again. The Goobers are stereotypical bullies, yet it was fun to see them get their due. This will be best appreciated by those who are familiar with Space Case.
For ages 4 to 7, space, Christmas, grandmothers, families, bullies, and fans of Space Case and James Marshall.
Buddy McGee's family is going to Granny's for the day, and Buddy is afraid he'll miss Space Case on Earth altogether. Buddy tells the mean kids next door to Granny about the thing, and they threaten him for being a wise guy. After the thing visits alligators, asks a baby for directions, and is pulled over for speeding, he finally arrives at Granny's in the nick of time to help Buddy.
The text has the same goofy humor of Space Case, with the thing confused as to who are people, and an adult confusing the thing with a foreign sports car. The font is large and this could be used as a beginning / transitional reader, as well as a read-aloud.
The illustrations are a high point: perfect for this off-beat sequel. My favorite images include the cover, the Goobers on bicycles, the thing visiting the gators, the thing getting a ticket, the Goobers as snowmen, and the final image.
While not as great as the original, this is a funny story and it's nice to see Buddy and the thing together again. The Goobers are stereotypical bullies, yet it was fun to see them get their due. This will be best appreciated by those who are familiar with Space Case.
For ages 4 to 7, space, Christmas, grandmothers, families, bullies, and fans of Space Case and James Marshall.
March 23, 2016
In this story, Buddy's parents told him they were gonna go to gannies house for christmas. Buddy was upset because his friend from outerspace was gonna come visit him on christmas. So buddy left a note for his friend and knew he would find grannies house. When buddy woke up christmas morning he thought his friend would be by the christmas tree. Buddy told the twins boys next door that his friend from outerspace was coming. They were gonna beat him up but then his friend from outerspace came and saved buddy and turned the twins into snowmans.
This book is science fiction due to the robot coming from outspace coming to earth. we do not know if their is life outside of earth let alone a world of robots. When the robot comes to buddys house, our world is new for him and he gets loss. We care about the characters we meet, like when buddy gets threaten we are scared for him but happy when buddy gets saved. I see myself in the character when buddy and his friend have such a good relationhip and always have each others back. The robot beeps but not sure if the humans just understand his beeps or if they kinda figure out what he is saying.
This book is science fiction due to the robot coming from outspace coming to earth. we do not know if their is life outside of earth let alone a world of robots. When the robot comes to buddys house, our world is new for him and he gets loss. We care about the characters we meet, like when buddy gets threaten we are scared for him but happy when buddy gets saved. I see myself in the character when buddy and his friend have such a good relationhip and always have each others back. The robot beeps but not sure if the humans just understand his beeps or if they kinda figure out what he is saying.
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March 28, 2016Buddy McGee and his parents are off to Grannie's house for Christmas. That means he'll have to leave a note to the thing from outer space that visited Buddy for Halloween in Space Case, promising to return for Christmas. The holidays at Grannie's she's a sort of mad scientist type aren't quite what Buddy hoped for; he's expected to play with the nasty Goober twins who live next door. They don't believe in the thing, they're getting new bikes and they don't like wise guys like Buddy. The thing, still in outer space, hurries away from a wild party, and after some confusion, locates Buddy. The Goober twins are about to pounce, when the thing turns them into giant snowmen. Buddy has a Merry Christmas after all, chasing the Goobers around the block. Some children will find this highly entertaining, but there's one thing lacking Christmas spirit.
April 29, 2016
This story is about a boy named buddy who is upset because him and his family are going to his nannies house for Christmas. He is upset because his outer space friend won't be there. He told these bully twins about it and they wanted to beat him up and then his outer space friend came and saved him.
This science fiction book describes something coming to earth from another planet, which we cannot prove true nor false. The robot does not talk, he just beeps, but the humans seemed to understand him. The characters are real life like and are ones we readers care about.
This science fiction book describes something coming to earth from another planet, which we cannot prove true nor false. The robot does not talk, he just beeps, but the humans seemed to understand him. The characters are real life like and are ones we readers care about.
December 11, 2025
A laugh-out-loud funny sequel to the Halloween picture book classic Space Case. In this story, the thing from outer space is fulfilling its promise to visit Buddy on Christmas. There are a few obstacles before the little alien joins Buddy at Grannie's. Once there, the little alien sees that Buddy needs some help dealing with the Goober twins. A delightful Christmas picture book to read and share!
January 9, 2013
Space Case comes back to celebrate Christmas with Buddy, but it has to find him first. Buddy and his family have gone to his Grannie's house for the holidays and the bukky next door neighbor twins don't believe that Space Case will show.
The creature from outer space does show up in time and exacts a little revenge on the twins, but this story was a little flat for me.
The creature from outer space does show up in time and exacts a little revenge on the twins, but this story was a little flat for me.
November 5, 2010
Classic Marshall illustrations. Funny (and odd) story--also classic Marshall. I like this for its plain ol' story aspect set around Christmas, especially as that's what I've been looking for.
April 15, 2018
Merry Christmas, Space Case (Paperback)
by James Marshall
an odd s equal to the original book with a christmas theme
by James Marshall
an odd s equal to the original book with a christmas theme
December 19, 2012
A fun sequel to Sapce Case with funny illustrations.
themes: bullies, Christmas, friends, space aliens
themes: bullies, Christmas, friends, space aliens
December 15, 2013
it was good
August 11, 2012
its funny
a silly odd story of christmas
a silly odd story of christmas
April 15, 2017
The title of the book leaves much to be desired. It doesn't suit it very well.
Other than that, the story was cute.
Other than that, the story was cute.
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August 30, 2018📀 story
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews