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Marcel the Shell #1
Marcel the Shell 10c Fd W/Riser
Millions of people have fallen in love with Marcel. Now the tiny shell with shoes and a big heart is transitioning from online sensation to classic picture book character, and readers can learn more about this adorable creature and his wonderfully peculiar world.
From wearing a lentil as a hat to hang-gliding on a Dorito, Marcel is able to find magic in the everyday. He may be small, but he knows he has a lot of good qualities. He may not be able to lift anything by himself, but when he needs help, he calls upon his family. He may never be able own a real dog . . . but he has a pretty awesome imagination.
From wearing a lentil as a hat to hang-gliding on a Dorito, Marcel is able to find magic in the everyday. He may be small, but he knows he has a lot of good qualities. He may not be able to lift anything by himself, but when he needs help, he calls upon his family. He may never be able own a real dog . . . but he has a pretty awesome imagination.
Perfect Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
1166 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Slate
8 books1,704 followersJenny Sarah Slate is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and author best known as the creator of the Marcel the Shell With Shoes On short films, which was also spun off into a children's book. She is also known for her season as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2009 to 2010, as well as for her recurring roles on House of Lies, Parks and Recreation, Bob's Burgers, and Kroll Show. She most recently starred in the 2014 Sundance film Obvious Child, and currently co-stars in the FX comedy series Married.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
July 24, 2019
I don't need a thrill ride. I'm already thrilled enough.
as monica! notes, a lot of this book is just a compilation of stuff ripped straight outta the videos, but in painted form which makes it ART!
♥video
♥video
♥video
the book is still cute even though you can't hear the little squeaky marcel-voice and all the dog-inspired screamin', but you can always hold all of that in your heart and your mind while you read. it's like when you go to the circus and you buy the program - the live version is better, but the physical copy is a souvenir in its frenchiest sense. and this marcel book is something you can pull down from your shelf in a hundred years when the internet has been eradicated and our robot overlords only allow us to have picture books in our cages. #preparedforfuture
you may also enjoy the other marcel book, which is adorable and contains things not found in the videos: Marcel the Shell: the Most Surprised I've Ever Been
************************************************************
even if this book were terrible (and it's so far from being that) i would give it five stars anyway because my very special copy has been signed by the staff of goodreads which makes it skyrocket into "best book ever" territory:
i'll review it asap - i have been a ghost on here ever since i got back due to a perfect storm of sleep deprivation, illness, a nearly-amputated thumb and a back that made an audible CRUNCH when i was moving some books to a shelf yesterday and is now refusing to hold my body upright. okay, and also that midweek marathon of "how to get away with murder." i'll come back to goodreads, i promise, but right now i am myself basically just a shell with feet, good for absolutely nothing.
come to my blog!
as monica! notes, a lot of this book is just a compilation of stuff ripped straight outta the videos, but in painted form which makes it ART!
♥video
♥video
♥video
the book is still cute even though you can't hear the little squeaky marcel-voice and all the dog-inspired screamin', but you can always hold all of that in your heart and your mind while you read. it's like when you go to the circus and you buy the program - the live version is better, but the physical copy is a souvenir in its frenchiest sense. and this marcel book is something you can pull down from your shelf in a hundred years when the internet has been eradicated and our robot overlords only allow us to have picture books in our cages. #preparedforfuture
you may also enjoy the other marcel book, which is adorable and contains things not found in the videos: Marcel the Shell: the Most Surprised I've Ever Been
************************************************************
even if this book were terrible (and it's so far from being that) i would give it five stars anyway because my very special copy has been signed by the staff of goodreads which makes it skyrocket into "best book ever" territory:
i'll review it asap - i have been a ghost on here ever since i got back due to a perfect storm of sleep deprivation, illness, a nearly-amputated thumb and a back that made an audible CRUNCH when i was moving some books to a shelf yesterday and is now refusing to hold my body upright. okay, and also that midweek marathon of "how to get away with murder." i'll come back to goodreads, i promise, but right now i am myself basically just a shell with feet, good for absolutely nothing.
come to my blog!
April 18, 2023
Perhaps a bit of a cheat since this is a VERY skimpy book and mainly pictures - 200 words at most. And although I adore the character of Marcel, more than half the charm is the voice provided by Jenny Slate - which is absent here, although you can go to a website and have her narrate it for you. I wanted to see this prior to watching the Oscar nominated full length feature though, so I DID actually read it. There's just so much more they could have done here.
October 23, 2024
Marcel The Shell é uma série de curtas e depois um longa dos quais não vi nenhum. Rá!
Depois do primeiro curta, o diretor Dean Fleischer Camp e a protagonista Jenny Slate o transformaram nesse livrinho escrito numa letra cursiva horrorosa, apesar de não ser professora sempre tive facilidade de decifrar letras cursivas horrorosas, embora me dê dor de cabeça.
Não deem esse livro para crianças alfabetizadas que não poderão lê-lo, a não ser que sejam satisfeitas apenas com as imagens.
Depois do primeiro curta, o diretor Dean Fleischer Camp e a protagonista Jenny Slate o transformaram nesse livrinho escrito numa letra cursiva horrorosa, apesar de não ser professora sempre tive facilidade de decifrar letras cursivas horrorosas, embora me dê dor de cabeça.
Não deem esse livro para crianças alfabetizadas que não poderão lê-lo, a não ser que sejam satisfeitas apenas com as imagens.
December 4, 2011
I love Marcel. I LOVE him, Internet. But I do not totally love this book. Here's why: as nicely painted as its pages are, I don't understand why it's painted at all. Especially since the paintings are clearly based on photographs that could have been used to greater effect. Marcel is absurd looking. That's what's so great about seeing him inhabit real spaces. Painted images decrease that sense of reality that is so key to Marcel's humor. Still funny, of course, but real spaces, and of course Jenny Slate's voice and timing are what make Marcel Marcel.
I would love to see this done photographically as more of a coffee table book full of LOTS of quotes. That would make it more of an item for people who are already fans, whereas the picture book format aims to meet a different, newer audience, I think. But that's what I'd like, please.
I would love to see this done photographically as more of a coffee table book full of LOTS of quotes. That would make it more of an item for people who are already fans, whereas the picture book format aims to meet a different, newer audience, I think. But that's what I'd like, please.
December 31, 2023
What a great Xmas treat. Must be read in voice. A new fave.
June 27, 2024
marcel the shell with the shoes on is one one my favorite movies, so of course i loved this (even more so because it was a birthday gift from one of my best friends in the whole world).
so tender in its simplicity, and filled with so much love and care through and through. the world can be so kind. i read a tumblr post once that went like, “i know kindness exists because i am kind. ‘people aren’t good’. i am people. i am good. you are wrong.”, and that’s how marcel never fails to make me feel.
(messy review, but oh well. it’s 10am on a friday, it’s okay)
so tender in its simplicity, and filled with so much love and care through and through. the world can be so kind. i read a tumblr post once that went like, “i know kindness exists because i am kind. ‘people aren’t good’. i am people. i am good. you are wrong.”, and that’s how marcel never fails to make me feel.
(messy review, but oh well. it’s 10am on a friday, it’s okay)
September 9, 2015
Freaking adorable.
"This is my breadroom. It's a bedroom. But I sleep in a piece of bread, so I just call it my breadroom."
"Guess which ride I love? The ladle!"
"Guess what I use as a helmet? A pistachio. Guess what I need a helmet for? Because once or twice a year I climb the sandal."
"Could you shut the book please? I'm trying to go to bread."
"This is my breadroom. It's a bedroom. But I sleep in a piece of bread, so I just call it my breadroom."
"Guess which ride I love? The ladle!"
"Guess what I use as a helmet? A pistachio. Guess what I need a helmet for? Because once or twice a year I climb the sandal."
"Could you shut the book please? I'm trying to go to bread."
September 6, 2022
“My name is Marcel, and I'm partially a shell, as you can see on my body, but I also have shoes, and a face. So, I like that about myself, and I like myself, and I have a lot of other great qualities as well.”
-Marcel is my new favorite 🤍 🐚👟😊
-Marcel is my new favorite 🤍 🐚👟😊
January 27, 2023
I’ve met someone that makes me feel loved, seen and truly special. I’m lucky to say she is one of my best friends.
It’s hard to find a heart that pure and honestly I’m glad mine found hers.
She sent me videos reading this book and even though we’re far away I never really feel a distance between us
Luv you Gab, happy birthday.
It’s hard to find a heart that pure and honestly I’m glad mine found hers.
She sent me videos reading this book and even though we’re far away I never really feel a distance between us
Luv you Gab, happy birthday.
September 18, 2022
Bradley review: I love it
March 19, 2023
marcel i love you so much lil buddy
November 14, 2024
Short, sweet, silly, and comforting.
November 7, 2011
This was the happy moment of my week, instantly all my stress & nerves were released once I found this book & began reading it aloud in my personal Marcel imitation, I didn't even care that I was in the aisle at my local Hastings on a friday night surrounded by high school hooligans, I just got lost in this adorable little guy's world.
It is written in a very engaging way & is perfect as a bed time story for your kids or just as nice end note to you day.
I am so buying this book & am reading it to everyone I know so that they can experience how delightful Marcel is plus I want to call into radio shows in as Marcel & just make everyone's drive home a little brighter.
It is written in a very engaging way & is perfect as a bed time story for your kids or just as nice end note to you day.
I am so buying this book & am reading it to everyone I know so that they can experience how delightful Marcel is plus I want to call into radio shows in as Marcel & just make everyone's drive home a little brighter.
November 25, 2011
The font will prevent many elementary school students from reading it. I recommend watching the short film first.
November 29, 2017
Summary: Marcel the Shell is about a shell and his adventures around the house he lives in.
Evaluation: This book and the video that matches it will have even an adult giggling throughout the entire text. Silly situations keep Marcel the Shell busy throughout his day and it overall a wonderful book to read for fun or for teaching content. Jenny Slate does a fantastic job in bringing this little shell to life in the videos that pair with the text.
Teaching Idea: Using this book to show how books and become video (or other formats) and vice versa is important for students to see. Students should be exposed to different types of text so using this book, even in a higher grade level, while teaching different types of literature would be effective.
Evaluation: This book and the video that matches it will have even an adult giggling throughout the entire text. Silly situations keep Marcel the Shell busy throughout his day and it overall a wonderful book to read for fun or for teaching content. Jenny Slate does a fantastic job in bringing this little shell to life in the videos that pair with the text.
Teaching Idea: Using this book to show how books and become video (or other formats) and vice versa is important for students to see. Students should be exposed to different types of text so using this book, even in a higher grade level, while teaching different types of literature would be effective.
March 8, 2023
I don’t know how to rate children’s books. I’m not sure what there is to learn from this, if that’s the purpose, but I love Marcel!
I guess you could take away that no matter your circumstances, there is joy to be found all around you.
If you’ve seen the YouTube videos, you’ll enjoy this companion book.
I guess you could take away that no matter your circumstances, there is joy to be found all around you.
If you’ve seen the YouTube videos, you’ll enjoy this companion book.
February 8, 2018
Although the character of Marcel is best captured on film (aka with audio) this sweet little book still maintains the charm and wonder of a little shell with shoes on.
July 11, 2023
I wish it was filled with so much more! More pictures of Marcel and his Nana Connie and more of his philosophy on life and cute quotes. He’s so Tiny in some of them you can only see his shoes.
May 30, 2024
I love him
September 5, 2024
So delightful :3
October 12, 2024
A perfectly strange, sweet, sentimental story. ♥️
April 10, 2020
A hoot! So delightful!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2024
As adorable as you'd expect. I would gladly read/watch any and all Marcel the Shell with Shoes On content.
April 12, 2021
SO WHOLESOME I WANT MARCEL TO BE MY BEST FRIEND
April 4, 2020
Might’ve been five stars if I didn’t have to read it twenty times in a row per sitting to a tyrannical almost two year old, but oh well :)
December 25, 2022
This is absolutely sweet and adorable! If you loved the shorts and movie, you will love this cute little book!
August 22, 2014
It’s strange, that’s true. But if Marcel the Shell (with shoes on) won you over in his YouTube video introduction, you won’t be disappointed by his book debut. A few of the pages are lines from the video, and the rest offer new facts about Marcel that will puzzle and entertain you and the kids. Most of it is sweet, simple silliness – like Marcel’s fear of riding the Salad Spinner ride at the “amusement park” (he prefers the Ladle), or how he calls his bedroom a breadroom because he sleeps between two pieces of bread.
For some reason, the illustrations are paintings done from photographs; but they are realistic, which makes them work. I do recommend watching the video first. That way, you’ll have Marcel’s adorable little voice in your mind when you read the text (although you can listen to Marcel read the book on Penguin’s website); but more importantly, if you’ve seen the movie, the paintings of a seashell with shoes and an eye won’t leave you asking yourself, “Why?”
For some reason, the illustrations are paintings done from photographs; but they are realistic, which makes them work. I do recommend watching the video first. That way, you’ll have Marcel’s adorable little voice in your mind when you read the text (although you can listen to Marcel read the book on Penguin’s website); but more importantly, if you’ve seen the movie, the paintings of a seashell with shoes and an eye won’t leave you asking yourself, “Why?”
July 12, 2012
I had seen a video online of Marcel the Shell and thought it was cute so when I saw that there was a picture book I was intrigued. The writing is cute, lots of funny jokes including a pun or two (love the bread(bed) room and salad spinner as a ride) . The paintings are beautiful but I found them to be a little fuzzy. I'm sure this was the style the artist was going for but unfortunately it just made me feel like I needed new glasses.
April 1, 2012
This is a great book to show kids what a hermit crab is and it has great illustrations! The humor keeps kids involved and it keeps them guessing what will come next. Great to use for creating predictions. I also like to read this book first before reading the story, "Shells" with my 4th grade students.
December 29, 2011
From my kids:
5yo: "My favorite part was where she said 'Close the book, I'm trying to go to BREAD.'"
7yo: "My favorite part of Marcel the Shell is when she said 'I have shoes... and.... A FACE.' I think all kids should read this book because it's funny."
5yo: "My favorite part was where she said 'Close the book, I'm trying to go to BREAD.'"
7yo: "My favorite part of Marcel the Shell is when she said 'I have shoes... and.... A FACE.' I think all kids should read this book because it's funny."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews