Sempé: Martin Pebble

"Martin Pebble" is a timeless, touching and very funny book which will appeal to readers and Sempe connoisseurs of all ages. The story is told through images, speech bubbles and short linking texts. Children and adults alike will be able to relate to this tale of a little boy, Martin, who blushes a lot, and who is happiest in the summer, when everyone else has a red face too. He sets out to find a reason for his strange affliction, and finds a friend instead - a boy called Roddy Rackett, who keeps on sneezing, even when he doesn't have a cold. But one day, his new best friend moves away. Martin Pebble makes other friends, but doesn't have the same bond with any of them as he did with Roddy Rackett - the kind of friendship where you play games and make jokes but are also happy just to be in each other's company, saying nothing but still never feeling bored. Years pass and Martin grows up, but he never forgets his childhood friend. One day they meet again, on a crowded bus in the city. There is a lot of catching up to do, but they soon realize that some things never change: Martin still blushes, Roddy still sneezes, and the two of them are still the very best of friends.