The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot!

December 24, 2012
Magoon retells “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” in a book whose suspenseful, funny pictures and surprise narrator trump its familiar plot. “This is the story of my friend Ben and how we first met,” says an offstage speaker, referring to a brown-haired boy. Ben “liked to tell stories,” and readers see him at a forest’s edge, alleging Bigfoot sightings to his weary parents, unbelieving sister, and neighborhood friends. Ben’s small dog acts as a barometer for Ben’s fibs, its expression going from tetchy to angry and then jolted by the “crick!” of a twig in the woods. “I didn’t normally talk to a Littlefoot,” explains the now-visible narrator, a towering Sasquatch. Ben looks on in shock while his dog merrily joins the creature for a spin on Ben’s bike. Magoon (Big Mean Mike) sets events some decades in the past, giving Ben an antique bike, vintage clothing, and old-fashioned camera and video equipment. While there’s still an emphasis on the importance of being honest, it’s clear that Magoon also sees value in Ben’s perseverance and sense of showmanship. Ages 4–8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

January 1, 2013
Some boys cry wolf, but to the admiration of one individual, Ben cries Bigfoot. The opening line by an unseen narrator introduces the young tale-teller: "This is the story of my friend Ben and how we first met." Events unfold over the course of a day, with cartoon-style art providing definitive clues as to the passage of time. In the morning, Ben rides his bicycle to the top of a hill, where he calls out: "LOOK, EVERYONE! IT'S BIGFOOT!" With the narrator providing commentary, the hilltop becomes a stage onto which other characters enter and exit. Ben is the constant, always trying to provoke response. Readers will quickly note that the indulgent narrator's voice is at odds with Ben's increasingly frantic antics, and they will begin to wonder just who is telling the story. Could it be Bigfoot? Indeed! He likes Ben's determination--and Ben's bike, which he takes for a little spin that night, leaving a scared Ben behind. Youngsters may at first feel glad that Ben gets his comeuppance when no one rushes to his aid but will soon relent when they see how forlorn Ben looks alone in the dark. Once home, it seems Ben has learned his lesson, although how he determines to tell the truth in the future is bound to leave readers giggling. Entertaining and clever--and that's no lie. (Picture book. 4-8)

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April 1, 2013

K-Gr 1-Bigfoot narrates this story of Ben, a boy who "liked to tell stories...a lot." The cartoon youngster in striped pants lies to everyone in town that he's seen Bigfoot in the woods. They gather for a glimpse, but leave in annoyance. Having observed all this, comically round-eyed Bigfoot emerges to claim Ben's bike and dog, knowing no one will believe an accusation of theft. Ben is a "tenacious fellow," and, at book's end, he sets out for the woods with old-fashioned camera equipment to record proof. Luckily, his dog is back to pull the wagon of gear. Digitally rendered illustrations are done in mostly green hues. Bigfoot is charming and goofy-looking with his smiles and manners, asking if he can "borrow" Ben's bike, and the child's expressions are priceless.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
Preschool-K At first glance Ben seems to be a nice little boy with a bike and a dog, but his flaw is that he likes to tell stories. Soon his insistence that he sees Bigfoot begins to wear on his family and friends. He is not above bolstering the stories eitherfor instance, digging footprints on the edge of the forest. Even his dog gets mad. Then (not unexpectedly, since he is also on the cover) Bigfoot appears. Bigfoot likes Ben and likes Ben's bike, which prompts Ben to scream, Bigfoot is stealing my bike! Alas, like his predecessor who cried wolf, no one comes to help and no one believes him. But the last page finds Ben (with camera in tow) heading into the forest, determined to get proof. The decision to let Bigfoot narrate adds a unique perspective, but it detracts from any surprise. What's good fun are the full-color Edward Gorey-like illustrations, with all the action happening in the foreground in front of a changing skyexcept when Bigfoot comes to fill the page. A neat twist on an old tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)