Diary of a

Martian Kid

Author: Maria Daadouch Illustrator: Basma Hosam

3asafeer.

The original work of this book was made possible through the generous support of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) Partners (the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Vision, and the Australian Government). It was prepared by Asafeer Education Technologies FZ LLC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ACR GCD Partners. Any adaptation or translation of this work should not be considered an official ACR GCD translation and ACR GCD shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.

Fridars 53rd of Septars

Today is my birthday, I’m five years old today. Five long years have passed, I’m very old now. You’d be amazed to know that on planet Earth, our neighbor planet, poor five year old children are half the size I am. Why?

Well, one year on Earth is half a year on Mars. Anyways, I was so happy to see Aunt Lilac and Uncle Greenie who came to celebrate my birthday.

Then Auntie Red and Uncle Blue arrived, too.

Finally, my Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Yellowmelon came. Do you know what makes me happier than having them come over to celebrate with me? I’ll tell you. Each one of them arrived with a wonderful gift in their hands.

Saturdars 54th of Septars

Today I opened Aunt Lilac’s present and in it I found a lovely nose. I put it on my face and I started to smell… Sniff sniff. Now I can inhale pure carbon dioxide, too.

At school, our teacher told us something so strange about our neighbor planet Earth.

The Earthlings inhale a gas called oxygen using their noses! Yuck!

Who wants to inhale oxygen anyway???

Sundars 55th of Septars

Today, I opened Uncle Greenie’s present and there I found a pair of ears. Actually a pair of big ears. I put one on each side of my head and guess what? I can hear now… Fshhhh...fshhhh...fshhhh

I followed the sound to find that my brother was digging a very big hole. When he saw me, he told me that he loves digging. Now I know why there are so many holes on the surface of Mars.

Mondars 56th of Septars

It’s time to open Aunt Red’s present. There I found three eyes! Three wonderful, round eyes. I quickly put them over my nose.

With the help of my new eyes, I can see Earth, our neighbor planet. Is it really blue? Blue? I could never live on a blue planet.

Sale

Tuesdars 56th of Septars

You’d be mad to know that Uncle Blue’s present was four tongues. What will I ever do with four tongues? There’s nothing to taste here on Mars. I must have bought them because they were on sale.

I know what I’ll do, I’ll get him back. On his birthday, I’ll get him an air conditioner. No one on Mars needs and an air conditioner, the temperature is never higher than twenty degrees Celsius.

Finally, it’s my time to open my grandparents’ present. When I opened it my heart was racing…Lab dub lab dub lab dub.

Wednesdars 57th of Septars

I found five marvelous arms! I put on my hands and jet shoes on and I rushed to visit the Moons of Mars.

Mars’ first moon is called Pho- bos, meaning “Fear.”

I felt it with my new hands… touch, touch, touch, it felt wrinkled and cold.

Then I went to the second moon of Mars, Deimos, or “Panic.” I don’t know who’s the genius who named these moons. After I felt this one, I realized it was actually smooth, soft and cold.

Thursdars 59th of Septars

Today I’m exploring Mars with my five new senses (smell, sight, sound, taste and touch) using my new nose, eyes, ears, tongues and hands.

How wonderful it is to turn five years old on Mars!

THE END