February 8, 2013

Perfect Picture Book Friday - The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot!

Well, folks, I don't know about you, but here on Blueberry Hill we've been told to expect some snow!  Down at Stop & Shop the cashiers are delightedly making dire predictions, based on the fact that, "Pawling School District is already closed and Pawling NEVER closes!" and people are buying batteries and toilet paper like crazy... because goodness knows, you can't have too much of either in a snowstorm :)) I admit we're getting a bit of a kick out of the headlines, for example: "Historic, Crippling Blizzard Ahead!"  (And no, I did not make that up!... although it sounds like something I might make up :))

I'll believe it when I see it, but don't you worry.  Our hatches are battened, the dogs are in readiness should any wild snowy romping patrolling of the perimeter be required, and we are well supplied with chocolate should we be forced to hole up for a day or two :)

Given the weather I feel like I should be doing a picture book about snow today, but I couldn't think of a good one quickly that hasn't been done already, so you're getting this one instead :)

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot!
Written & Illustrated By: Scott Magoon
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, February 2013, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 4-8

Themes/Topics: imagination, telling the truth, consequences, unexpected friendship

Opening: "This is the story of my friend Ben and how we first met."

Brief Synopsis: Ben likes to tell stories... so sometimes he makes them up.  All that storytelling practice makes him pretty good at it, but after a while people figure out that he's not telling the truth... or is he?

Links To Resources: Bigfoot For Kids, Bigfoot Facts For Kids.  You could read this book along with Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella to compare Bigfoot stories, or along with The Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Boy Who Cried Ninja to compare different retellings of the same story.  Discussion topics could include the difference between a story and a lie, and the importance of telling the truth.

Why I Like This Book: I always enjoy a good retelling of a familiar tale, and this one is fun and fresh.  The text is snappy, and you will be surprised by the ending (well, if you're an adult you might not be THAT surprised, but your kids probably will be :))  This is a great example of what a picture book should be - a perfect marriage of text and art.  The art in this book is fabulous - perfect for the story, very expressive, and full of funny details (I'm especially fond of the dog's expressions and Ben's unhelpful little sister :))

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Just a quick word before we all rush off to see everyone's great books and head into our weekends.

It's such fun every week getting to see what books everyone chooses - always wonderful, special books that have so much to offer.  I am extremely grateful to everyone who participates and makes Perfect Picture Books what it is.

Not chronologically (because we took a break in the summer) but technically, this week is the start of Year 2.  We have over one thousand books on our list - quite an accomplishment and truly a wonderful resource.  And it exists because of all of you!  So thank you, thank you!!!  You make PPBF what it is!

I'd like to just remind some of the newcomers that what Perfect Picture Books is - what makes it different from other review sites - are the resources.  Not only to we only list terrific books that we highly recommend, we hand busy parents, teachers, home-schoolers, day care providers, librarians, etc. ready-made options for expanding on the use of those wonderful stories through nature activities, arts and crafts, cooking, role playing games, and much, much more.  Therefore, it is critically important that resources be included.  Please make sure your review contains an extension of some kind so that it will be easy for people to see how they might make further use of the books at home and in the classroom.  Also (because it is a bear of a job to update! :)) please make sure your links are post-specific and not just general links to your blog.  (If they're general, they're only correct until your next post goes up and then the PPBF link doesn't work anymore.)  Thank you all for everything you do to provide this wonderful resource!

Oh, and BTW, on a completely unrelated topic, lest you be wondering, I have not forgotten about voting on Phyllis's contest, I just haven't had a good spot to put it in.  Yet.  But I will.  Soon.  How about Monday?  Okay.  Monday it is!

Now.  PPBF bloggers, please add your post-specific link below - I can't wait to see what makes the list this week!  If you don't hear from me Monday, you'll know we lost power and it hasn't come back! :)  If you're in the path of the "historic, crippling blizzard" stay safe and warm and make sure you have chocolate :)  Have a great weekend everyone! :)

52 comments:

  1. Gosh! can't believe I'm first again. I do love little Ben, on the cover of your book, he has such a cute face. The illustrator sure has a way with expressions. What a great topic for kids.

    Susanna, while I am hoping you and your family stay safe and warm wrapped in soft rugs and drinking hot sweet chocolate, I have to inform you that my Blog will be going into hiatus for about the next four to five weeks, as I will be on holiday in South America. I fly out Sunday (Saturday your time).YAY! I would like to post one more PPBF if I can with your help, and then my blog will go on holiday with me...lol. Will send you an email.


    You all have a great weekend. Stay warm.

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  2. I am kind of obsessed right now with storytelling. You'll see my book is the same. So I'm delighted to learn about this new book. I have been researching about storytelling and found that most great writing teachers also use oral storytelling as a jumping off point. We all have stories to tell, but writing them is like using our second language.

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  3. I admit, the art is really my favorite part of this book. This is the same artist who illustrated Mostly Monsterly, which I love! Thanks for your good wishes. Have a GREAT vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course I will do whatever you need to help out :)

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  4. Yes, well in this case the "storytelling" has more to do with lying! but it's cute and fun. The art is the real draw in this book, I think. Very engaging!

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  5. Yes, You are expected to have a Blizzard!! I am watching TV right now. :) Glad to hear you've stocked up on Chocolate. You'll need it. :) Please stay warm and dry.

    This book sounds fun and humorous. IS it funny? The cover looks like it could be. I love retellings of Bigfoot and the Lockness Monster so this should be right up my alley. Thanks for introducing it to me. :)

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  6. Okay--somewhere Phyllis saw her shadow!!! At 5 am I woke up-not sure why-until I realized there was absolute silence. Power out. Thank you, Lord, it came back on a short time later. We too have school closings, icy roads, and only about 4 inches on the ground right now--mixed with ice. Ah, well,....Love the sounds of your book and I like the cover art...even if it is imaginary. And congrats on Year 2. I'm so glad the 12x12 community led me to your blog and your friendship.

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  7. I love the title! Can't wait to read it. And I am SO looking forward to the snow. Snowshoes and skis are by the door, and the cupboard is well stocked! :-)

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  8. That's why I've enjoyed reading the PPBF choices. There's always something extra to go along with the book so a parent can do more than just read, they can engage the child as well :-)

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  9. Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Bigfoot! I can't wait to read this. I have had such a hangup lately about Bigfoot, Yeti, and Sasquatch! (as you know, Susanna) Don't ask me why...I think they just have a story to tell! Hopefully several :-) I can't wait to find this book...I hope it's not as elusive as Bigfoot tends to be. Hopefully it will be spotted at the library.


    Stay warm and enjoy the beauty of the snow.

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  10. We are hunkered down too, but I'm also concerned we don't own a proper sled yet...initiate google search for "homemade sled"

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  11. Great choice pal! That title grabbed me first. I cannot wait to read it.

    I would love some snow. *sigh* Alas, our sled has NOT been used in TWO years. Send some my way. Could ya? Please? I hope your power stays on. I mean panic could set in without internet. And there is that awesome invention of flushing toilets. Maybe you could roll a humongous snow ball toward Asheville?? I'd be much obliged.

    I'm almost ready to check in. Glad my catching up is almost caught up. Ha. Happy weekend. :-)

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  12. Bigfoot! can't wait to read this one... as my friend who lives in BF country insists that she's seen one of these lunkers lurking in the deep woods. But - where's the chocolate? Got to have some if we're truly battening the hatches.

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  13. interesting book. I just placed it on my library list and discovered there was another book (59 pages illustrated) witht he same title published in 2000. I'll check them both out. Were you able to figure out a way to make the list searchable? I have a really great web teacher this semester and thought about asking him. Stay warm and hope the power and modern conveniences survive the storm!

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  14. Over in the neck of the woods where I grew up (Pacific Northwest), we call this fella "Sasquatch"....LOL! I do love a new twist to an old classic.


    I hope you don't get hit hard with the storm predicted...just enough snow to look pretty but not so much to make things hazardous. :) My two favorite PBs are about snow: "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats and "Snow" by Uri Shulevitz. And I don't even like snow very much, having spent the first 8 years of my life in the tropics of southeast Asia!


    I wish I had a resource like your PPB when my kids were little; I'll be sure to recommend this wonderful ongoing thread to everyone I know who has little ones or teaches little ones.


    Oh, and totally unrelated, but I thought of a perfect gift for a friend of mine with a young grandchild: the Phyllis 2-book pack with my colored in Phyllis as a bookmark! Thank you for writing wonderful books!

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  15. No blizzard expected here . . . but I stocked up on chocolate JUST IN CASE. :cool:


    Good book for a snowy day.

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  16. Oh good, I have been wanting someone to review this new book to find out more. I LOVE participating in PPBF. I do see random hits for different PPBF reviews on my blog so I am assuming it gets lots of hits here on yours?

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  17. I hope the storm doesn't end up as bad as they predict. Although, it is a cosy feeling to be snowed in...as long as you have your favorite chocolates!
    This sounds like a fun book, Susanna. I too, enjoy a retelling of a popular tale.

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  18. No snow here, for a change. Hope you (and all others in the path of the storm) stay safe and snug.


    After an unusual week last week that didn't allow any time for doing PPBF, either posting or reading (sorry everyone!) I'm back, and will try to do better from here on. My choice today is a Canadian book that features music and is set in a rural Nova Scotian African-Canadian community, so I have several bases covered! It's also a lovely book, besides all that.

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  19. Good luck in the crippling snowstorm. So far the grass is still showing through around here. If it gets up to 11 inches, it will officially touch Cupcake's belly and she will be afraid to go out. 12-18 inches are predicted. We'll see.

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  20. Poor Cupcake! You'll have to shovel her a potty patch like I shovel for Jemma :) We're supposed to get up to 20 inches... I haven't measured how high up that goes on my dogs, but I'm guessing they'll be practically up to their backs in that! They love the snow though... Jemma likes to tunnel in it and hunt for mousies. Don't worry - they're too smart for her :) Stay warm and safe!

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  21. Glad you're not in the snow's path, and your book sounds great - can't wait to read about it! :)

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  22. Yes... cozy as long as we don't lose power :) I think I'll bake some banana bread and try out Erik's mom's Valentine cookie recipe, just in case we do lose power and need fortification :) Glad you like the look of the book. The art is really fabulous and worth a look if you get a chance :)

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  23. You would enjoy getting to look at this book, Joanna - the art is really the best part! :) As for PPBF, I get a fair number of hits on the Friday posts, but the archive page doesn't get as many as I wish it did given how much work we all put into it. I was hoping the distribution of the bookmarks would help with that, and now that I'm thinking of it, I don't know that I've checked the number recently. I should look and see if the bookmarks helped! But I'm always trying to think up ways to spread the word so people can really make use of it.

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  24. It is ALWAYS best to be prepared with plenty of chocolate :) And this is a fun book!

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  25. I think you would enjoy this, Teresa - it's fun and the art is terrific! We are in the belt that's predicting 12-24 inches of snow, so we'll see... it's already started... I LOVE The Snowy Day, but haven't read Snow - I'll have to check it out. And oh, yes, please! Tell anyone you know who might make use of PPBF! We would all be so grateful because everyone works hard to make it a great resource. And thank you for thinking my books with your bookmark would make a great present - I can't tell you how much I appreciate that! :) Have a great weekend :)

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  26. The other book is (I bet) a chapter book in the Zack Files series by Dan Greenberg. My son loved those books :) A great web teacher? I'll take any and all help I can get. The PPBF archive is a constant source of frustration to me - difficult and time-consuming to update, and not as user-friendly for searchers as I'd like, so yes please, ask away! :) Thanks for you good wishes. I just brought in a TON of firewood (I'm so Little House On The Prairie :)), so if we lose power at least we'll have a cozy fire :)

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  27. I usually only serve chocolate on Would You Read It Wednesday because it is our official WYRI snack, but you are right - I should definitely have served some when hatches were being battened. Please forgive me and accept a virtual offering of a whole plate of chocolate croissants just for you! Hope you enjoy the book when you get to read it - the art is fantastic! :)

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  28. You would like this book, Robyn - it's funny :) I would be happy to send you some snow if I could figure out how... it's coming down hard already, and they're predicting 12-24 inches for our area - more than I really need myself so I'd be happy to share :) Look out for the snowball - it's going to be HUGE by the time it gets to NC :) And yes, indoor plumbing, internet, and coffee makers are pretty important, so I hope we keep our power!

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  29. How about a cookie sheet? Can't be much different from the cafeteria trays we used to use in college :)

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  30. This book just came out like yesterday, Penny, so hopefully your library will have it. It's funny and the art is terrific. The snow is coming down hard already and it's very beautiful from snug inside our little house :)

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  31. Thanks, Angela, I'm so glad you like that :)

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  32. It is a fun book with entertaining art! And the dogs and I have already gone running in the snow this morning - lovely except for when the wind blows all those little stinging snowflakes in your face - but we are tough and like to be outdoors :)

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  33. I like your book suggestion. I have a couple of little friends who might benefit hearing a book about telling the truth:)
    Good luck with the snow!

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  34. I always marveled at how much people would stack in their shopping carts when we lived in Connecticut and there was a snowstorm warning. These days, it is unusual to be snow-bound for more than a day...even if there is lots of snow. Of course, up on Blueberry Hill, you might be a little more disconnected from city plows and cleanup...but I kind of love being 'trapped' in the house by snow...as long as there is enough chocolate and dessert, that is.:)
    Love this story, Susanna...and thanks for the resources/activities. Looks like a great book to encourage kids to tell their own tales! And maybe write their own books.:)

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  35. I'm back! I forgot to hit publish this morning...I must have a blizzard in my brain!!! I just published my post for Princess in Training...sorry to those who tried to visit and got nowhere!

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  36. I can't wait to read your recommendation. Fractured fairy tales are one of my favorites genres. I posted one this week, too!

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  37. Indeed - I think it's a book kids will have a lot of fun with. And boy oh boy is the snow coming down. I won't be able to really enjoy it until my husband is safe home, though!

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  38. tee-hee-hee Penny :) Have some chocolate - it's good for brain blizzards :)

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  39. This sounds like a fractured fairy tail! I absolutely love it. It's hot off the press too! Kids will have so much fun with this and learn a lesson too.

    Am thinking of you. You really are going to get slammed. Hope you husband gets home okay. I thought they were shutting everything down! I remember the blizzard of 1978.

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  40. I scrounged up choc. chips and made some pumpkin-oatmeal-choc chip cookies. That qualifies as "health food" right? Certainly as "provisions for getting snowed in".

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  41. This looks like terrific book! I love the cover. I know quite a few kids like Ben. I hear lots of fantastical tales about their dogs and other pets. It's always fun to hear the tales, but like with Ben I never know what to believe! I'll have to find this book! Thanks!

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  42. I hope you have enough toilet paper to survive the aftermath of this blizzard...


    The Bigfoot tale sounds cute.

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  43. That is like the definition of health food, Sue! Pumpkin is an actual vegetable - I don't even have to stretch the truth for that :)





























    Sue Heavenrich (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:

    I scrounged up choc. chips and made some pumpkin-oatmeal-choc chip cookies. That qualifies as "health food" right? Certainly as "provisions for getting snowed in".

    Link to comment
    IP address: 74.32.113.75

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  44. This is s fun book - great art! I remember the blizzard of '78 too! We missed a whole week of school and went sledding on Fifth and Madison Avenues because there were no vehicles in the street! And my husband is home - thank goodness :)

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  45. I can't wait to see what you picked! I'll get there eventually... :)

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  46. Thanks, Barb! And hope the book comes in handy to get that message across :)

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  47. Oh gosh, Laura - I hope your power stays on and you stay safe and warm! Glad you like the sound of the book - it is a fun one! And thanks for your congrats - I too am grateful to PPBF for introducing us, my talented friend :)

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  48. It is funny, Clar. The artist (same guy who illustrated Mostly Monsterly) did a great job! Wait til you see the dog... and the little sister... and Ben's next plan...! :)

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  49. I think you'll like it, Rhythm! AND there's a dog in it!!! :)

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  50. Yes thank you, Theresa, we do. It doesn't taste as good as apple turnovers, but you make do :) Glad you like the book :)

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