Big Foot and Little Foot

January 1, 2018

Gr 2-4-Hugo is a curious young dreamer living in an apartment with his parents and older sister. He also happens to be a young Sasquatch (or, a "squidge," as the book affectionately labels them). Hugo lives in the Central Cave District in the North Woods, a thriving Sasquatch community complete with a school, general store, and a bakery. Here, the Sasquatch live similarly to humans, but also have a strict rule: never interact with, or be seen by, humans. Hugo accepts this, but also longs to be a part of the "Big Wide World" outside of the Central Cave District. Everything changes when he spots a human (named Boone) in the woods. Young readers will enjoy this story of an unlikely friendship and may especially like the Sasquatch characters and setting, which are impressively well developed. The gentle humor throughout is sure to entertain. Sala's charming illustrations only add to the appeal. VERDICT Established chapter book author Potter delivers another winner with this series opener.-Molly Hone, Pequannock Township Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2018
Curious about the Big Wide World outside his Sasquatch community, Hugo makes a friend who is of it.Sasquatch Hugo's bedroom is inside a cave and possesses the charming feature of a small stream running through it that he can sail his little toy boat on. It's cool, but he yearns to see the Big Wide World. When he asks his smart friend Gigi if a Sasquatch might become a sailor, she says it's possible but would be difficult--the primary rule of their people is to not be seen by Humans. Then, in everyone's favorite Hide and Go Sneak class, which is held outside, a Human appears; Hugo laughs at the sight, drawing Human attention in a taboo-breaking mistake. Shortly after, Hugo's toy boat floats into the cave with a Human toy--soon, it's facilitating a pen-pal-type relationship that's derailed when Hugo confesses to being a Sasquatch and Human Boone, a budding cryptozoologist, doesn't believe him. How Hugo and Boone resolve this misapprehension and become friends in a joint search for the Ogopogo concludes this series opener. Potter keeps the third-person narrative tightly focused on Hugo's perspective, and the details she uses to flesh out the Sasquatch world are delightfully playful. Sala's drawings depict a homey Sasquatch cavern community, Boone as a freckled, white boy, and Hugo as a hairily benevolent behemoth. A charming friendship story and great setup for future books. (final art unseen) (Fantasy. 5-9)

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Starred review from March 1, 2018
Grades 1-4 *Starred Review* Hugo is a young Sasquatch (a squidge) with dreams of seeing the Big Wide World, but he's forbidden from venturing far from the Sasquatch settlement in Widdershins Cavern. One of the few occasions he and the other squidges are allowed out is for their hide-and-go-sneak class, during which they practice moving through the woods undetected. Midway through Hugo's turn, a human wanders into their midst, and Hugo can't help but laugh at its silly appearance?it doesn't have red eyes or smell like dead porcupines at all! Unfortunately, the sound catches the boy's attention, and he locks eyes with Hugo before running off. Blunder! Confined to his room, Hugo sends a toy boat down a small stream, and the next day it returns containing a human figurine. So begins their Sasquatch-human letter exchange (unprecedented!) until a misunderstanding prompts Hugo to break all the rules and patch things up with his new friend, Boone. Readers will easily connect with Hugo, whose experiences in school and with family and friends transcend species divides. Potter gives her amusing and adventurous plot just the right amount of detail to bring it to life, as do Sala's simple line drawings. This warmhearted new series, particularly suited for reluctant readers or chapter-book newbies, promises more laughs and exploits from the entertainingly paired Hugo and Boone.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)