Meet the Bigfeet

emoo601 - While this book is below my grade level - way below - I actually found it to be amusing to an extent. This story is told through the perspective of Blizz Richards, a yeti who hangs around other creatures to study them. All of them have one thing in common : they can't be seen by humans. So when Blizz's cousin disappears, ashamed after being captured on camera by one of the world's most motivated cryptids researcher, Blizz makes it his mission to find his cousin during the family reunion. He does, and things only take a more interesting turn from there. Spoiler: the picture does not make it into the hands of the 'researcher' I think that as a book for younger children, Sherry's story is a good one. Definitely something I would give to a younger sibling as a gift. However, through the eyes of a more experienced reader, the plot is a little too simple, or coincidental. In all, I would rate this with 4 stars.

August 4, 2014
In this first title in the Yeti Files series, Sherry (Turtle Island) tries out the chapter-book format with mixed results. His characters—yeti hero Blizz Richards and a whole community of “cryptids” (creatures of mythology, legend, and folk lore)—have all the googly-eyed charm that makes his picture books so much fun. And he still excels at a kind of manic level of explanation, giving his creatures heavily annotated hideouts (it’s nice to know that even yetis have unfinished art projects) and a sweet backstory (yetis and their ilk are shy because “the secrecy keeps magic and mystery in the minds of humans. And we all know how important that is”). But the story, which turns on whether a crazed cryptozoologist named George Vanquist will crash the yeti family reunion and expose everyone, doesn’t gain much traction. There are plenty of incident, jokes, and gags (Blizz pays the unicorn who flies him to the reunion with a burrito gift card), but the buffoonish Vanquist isn’t enough of a comic menace to propel the story forward. Ages 7–10. Agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency.

June 15, 2014
It's a Bigfeet family reunion!Everyone's favorite frosty, furry cryptid, the yeti, actually has a name: Blizz Richards. From his supersecret HQ in Nepal he keeps in touch with his fellow cryptids, all of whom have sworn an oath to keep themselves hidden. That's not always easy, especially when there are cryptozoologists, like the nasty (but bumbling) George Vanquist, who are always trying to expose the secretive creatures. Vanquist got a picture of Blizz's cousin Brian near his home in British Columbia, causing the mortified Brian to disappear entirely. When Blizz receives an invitation to a Bigfeet family reunion in Canada, he calls his buddies Alexander (one of Santa's elves), Gunthar (a goblin) and Frank the Arctic fox to help him get ready. When they arrive in Canada, Brian is still nowhere to be seen. Can Blizz and his skunk ape and other sasquatch cousins find Brian, have the reunion and evade Vanquist? If anyone can, the Bigfeet clan can. Illustrator Sherry's first volume in the Yeti Files is a fast and funny graphic-prose tale full of labeled pictures and comic-style panels. Those just starting chapter books may have some trouble with a few big words, but they'll enjoy the big friendly monsters and immediately ask for the next tale-which looks to be about the Loch Ness monster.Good-hearted fun-great for fans of Kit Feeny and Babymouse. (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 7-10)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 2-4-Mysterious monsters live around the world, yet you wouldn't know it for sure, because the proof doesn't exist! Blizz Richards, a responsible and fun yeti from Nepal, wants it to remain this way; without the mystery, how else would people remember magic? However, a hidden existence can be lonely, so it's time for a Bigfeet reunion. With so many gathered, though, the chance of a sighting increases, especially with the determined yet not-so-bright George Vanquist hot on their trail. Blizz speaks directly to readers as he introduces his world, deftly explaining what a yeti is, as well as the nature of cryptids. These funny, made-up facts will fascinate kids. At several points, the narration switches to other characters, including the bumbling George Vanquist. Plenty of random, wacky humor is hidden under the guise of a serious tone. Of note is one ironic scene where the cryptids search for Bigfoot. Accompanying the text are equally amusing illustrations featuring circular eyes and wide-mouthed expressions. These fill much of the page and on occasion include panels. Larger spreads caption many of the objects, giving quick description to this world, as well as providing more random laughs. Fans of the "Bad Kitty" and "Captain Underpants" titles will certainly love the first in this series of illustrated chapter books.-Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2014
Grades 1-3 Bizz Richards is a self-described great guy, loving life in his secret lair in Nepal and hanging out with his two assistants and best buddies, Gunther and Alexander. Bizz is a Yeti, one of the cryptids, the society of hidden animals whose existence has never been proven, all of whom have taken an oath to keep themselves that way. But remaining hidden can be tricky, as cryptozoologists lurk everywhere waiting for an opportunity to snap a picture of a mythical creature. This first title in the Yeti Files series recounts Bizz's search for his missing cousin, Brian, who went into hiding after having his photo taken and published by the persistent, if bumbling, cryptozoologist George Vanquist. A Bigfeet family reunion is happening at Brian's old hideout in Canada, and Bizz is determined to find him and bring him along. This fast-paced and funny tale is told in comics-style panels and labeled black-and-white illustrations of goofy monsters and cartoonish villains. Good stuff for readers beginning to move into chapter books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)