Everyone knows that Martians are green.
But in Chris Gall's book, "There's Nothing to Do on Mars," we see Martians of different colors, including yellow with blue polka dots.
That's how we knew that his 32-page book was fiction.
But that's OK. The Tucson author and illustrator readily acknowledged that all three of his published books are fiction titles for young adults.
The Foothills resident's third book with Little, Brown and Co. was released in March.
"As a kid, I was fascinated with outer space and I wanted to be an astronomer," said Gall, 46, during a recent phone interview. "I didn't want to go to Venus because it's too hot."
The story is about a boy named Davey Martin and his family who move unexpectedly to Mars. The boy, with his robotlike dog, traverse the planet, looking for something to do.
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"It's a parable for all kids who get packed up and moved to all cities and the challenges they find when they get there."
"There's Nothing to Do on Mars" is for sale at all major bookstores for $16.99.
Gall is looking forward to the upcoming Mars landing.
"I think it's great — I can't wait to see it. I've watched every one of the landings with bated breath," he said.
"I've come to meet a lot of the people with the program because of the book. I've been to the command center several times. They've been very supportive."
Gall wrote his first book, "America the Beautiful" ($16.95), in 2004. In it, he illustrates the four stanzas of the famous song, including the three that are rarely sung. The former magazine illustrator said he is a direct descendant of the song's writer, Katharine Lee Bates.
His second book, "Dear Fish" ($16.99), came out in 2006 and is about a boy who goes to the beach. He has such a great time that he writes a note in a bottle, inviting all the fish to visit him at home. Needless to say, they do, creating a "variety of havoc."
Gall just finished "Truckosaurs," which will be released in the spring of 2009 by Little, Brown and Co. The book is about an ancient race of primitive trucks and how they lived at that time and how they evolved to become modern trucks.
Gall drives a non-primitive Ford F-250.
"I think that's the best way to write — you have to come from where you are and where you've been," he said.
Gall said he's probably finished with writing books on Mars.
"I just think that the universe is a big place and I have lots of interests."
• What: Meet author and illustrator Chris Gall of "There's Nothing to Do on Mars."
• When: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: University of Arizona Museum of Art, UA Fine Arts Complex, near North Park Avenue and East Speedway.
• More info: chrisgall.com.
