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CM . . .
. Volume XIX Number 8. . . .October 26, 2012
Torres (Alison Dare) and Hicks (The War at Ellesmere) have created their first graphic novel about a boy who can turn into the legendary Sasquatch. Rufus� visit with his grandmother doesn�t get off to an exciting start. He has to drink prune juice and watch soap operas. But when he goes exploring in the woods behind her cabin, he finds a magic totem in a tree hollow. When he discovers he can turn into a hairy Bigfoot by wearing it around his neck, he throws his arms over his head and exclaims, �This is rrrrrawesome!� The magic totem allows him to talk with animals, like Sidney the squirrel, and smell his grandmother�s homemade apple pie from miles away. Rufus is not alone in the forest though. The wolves smell the magic in the air. They want the Q�achi totem back. When Rufus refuses their request, the wolves kidnap Rufus� new neighbor, Penny. With Sidney�s help, Rufus (transformed into Bigfoot Boy) attacks the wolves and saves Penny who now sees Rufus as a friend.
Recommended. Tanya Boudreau is a librarian at the Cold Lake Public Library in Cold Lake, AB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca. Copyright � the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
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This graphic novel is in full-colour. The organization of the panels and speech bubbles makes the story easy to follow. Many of the scenes take place outdoors in the woods or outside the grandmother�s cabin. The racially diverse characters have well-developed personalities. The humor surrounding Rufus� state of undress will appeal to younger readers. Children who are expecting a story about Bigfoot will be pleasantly surprised to see a child, such as themselves, turn into a likeable monster.