Meet the Bigfeet (Yeti Files #1)

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

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. (Sept.)