Into the Woods

BIGFOOT Boy #1

by J. Torres, Faith Erin Hicks (Illustrator)

Bored while visiting his grandmother for the weekend, Rufus, an ordinary ten-year-old boy, ventures into the nearby woods after he spies his young neighbor Penny heading there. A city kid, Rufus quickly loses sight of Penny, but while making his way back to Grammy's, he's drawn to an unusual object he sees hidden inside a it's a totem, carved out of wood and hung on a cord. Rufus places the odd-looking thing around his neck and reads out loud the word inscribed on "Sasquatch." Suddenly, strange things begin happening all around him -- and to him. Rufus doesn't know what's going on, but he's sure of one thing. He'll never be ordinary again! This is the first title in the unique Bigfoot Boy graphic novel series by award-winning author J. Torres. This intriguing story about an everyday kid who unexpectedly finds himself with a special power will have young readers hooked from the start. The artwork by Eisner Award?winning cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks keeps the action moving at a fast pace. With talking animals, likable characters and a plot steeped in magic and mystery, this compelling tale told in pictures and snappy dialogue will be a popular choice for newly independent readers, with particular appeal to reluctant readers. Inspired by the mythologies of the Pacific Northwest, it could also work in the classroom as an introduction to folklore and mythology.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Juvenile

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Comic book writer whose credits include the Eisner Award nominated Alison Dare, the YALSA listed Days Like This and Lola: A Ghost Story, as well as Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Love as a Foreign Language and Teen Titans Go, which garnered him a Shuster Award.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all. When Rufus stays with his grandma who lives next to woods, he discovers an amulet. Life will never be the same after he reads and says the word on it.
Even though this book is the first in a trilogy, it can be read as a stand-alone. Give to young graphic novel fans or those looking for stories with Bigfoot or other mythical creatures.

[Alec · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weeded from collection—OOP; problematic depictions of Native Americans per AICL (fascination with red hair, “spirit guides”)

https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent RRRRRRRAwesome cute short story. Faith Erin Hicks' amazing cartoony art meshes with J. Torres fantastic writing like peanut butter and jelly. This is a truly great quality piece of work that I hope tons of kids read. They'll love. buy it for your kids now!

[The Half-blood Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute. I liked the art and the colours were very kid-comic-like.

I am only giving it 3 stars, because this volume was just an introduction. I can't tell what this is going to become yet to give it more.

I did like the idea of a squirrel companion/guide.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great beginning to a series by two of my faves, J. Torres and Faith Erin Hicks. I loved the whimsy of the story and the mythos behind the totems.

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Rufus goes into the woods by his grandmother's house, he discovers a totem. Now when he says the word "Sasquatch" he turns into . . . a Sasquatch! But the wolves in the woods want the totem and kidnap his friend Penny to force him into giving it up.

IN THE WOODS isn't long, but it still manages to deliver a good story. The developing friendship between Rufus and Penny is well done, and I liked that there wasn't any drama about Rufus trying to hide his powers. There's only hilarity as he ends up without his clothes and needed to borrow a sheet from Penny's clothesline as he ends up naked after transforming back. (Rufus mind end up going through a lot of clothes over the course of the Bigfoot Boy series.)

I liked Faith Erin Hicks' art in FRIENDS WITH BOYS and I like it in IN THE WOODS too. Her characters are quite expressive. Unlike FRIENDS WITH BOYS, the art in IN THE WOODS is in full color, which suits the age group. She also gets a chance to show off some action chops as Rufus faces off with the wolves.

This fun story will appeal to kids who like stories of friendship and magic. It has something of a folklore atmosphere, but INTO THE WOODS isn't based on any legend I know. Definitely a good choice for young fans of graphic novels. Here's to more adventures featuring Rufus and Penny!

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rufus’ parents drop him off at his grandma’s house for a short visit. While there he is bored out of his mind…until he decides to go out and explore in the woods behind his grandma’s house. While there he meets a girl named Penny who is not too fond of him. After Penny’s sister (Aurora) assures Rufus that he can explore in the woods and that Penny isn’t as tough as she seems, Rufus keeps exploring. And he finds a magic totem. This totem allows him to be able to talk to animals (one particular squirrel is very helpful) and turns him into a Bigfoot Boy. The only downside is that when he turns into Bigfoot Boy he loses all his clothes. So when he turns back into Rufus he finds he has to hid because he is naked. As soon as Penny finds out about the totem she wants it–and she is not the only one who desires the magic necklace. A pack of wolves are very resourceful in trying to get the totem away from Rufus.

This is a fun book that starts to tell the beginnings of what could be many fun adventures at grandma’s house. Rufus is nice, even if a bit clumsy. Penny is not only strong and a bit annoying but is also trustworthy and a good friend once she decides she would like to be friends. Even though this book was mostly setting up for future adventures, it is fun to think of what life might be like if there was a magic totem in the woods behind another house…

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to reread.

Have no re-read. Q'achi totem. Van Town. Northwood.


Wonderful Canadian tween graphic novel about a boy who discovers a sasquatch totem and becomes big foot boy. He's half first nation and befriends a first nations girl who has a skunk spirit guide. It just feels genuinely Canadian without being moralistic.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2022/comm...

[weirdo named Henry Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG OMG OMG! THIS BOOK, YOU "HAVE" TO READ! I think it's cool how Rufus finds a totem in a tree that says "Sasquatch" on it. He says "Sasquatch" to turn into a sasquatch. And he says "Hctauqsas" to turn back into a human. (Hctauqsas is Sasquatch backwards)

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a boy and how he becomes Bigfoot. This was a cute, short read. I really enjoyed the illustrations.

[Mercedes McLean-Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the art. I'm excited to see more from the plot in future volumes.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Faith Erin Hicks's art quite well, although I'm not sure it shows to her best advantage here because the story is relatively pedestrian and predictable. The art succeeds in making the animals pretty cute for the most part, but I just kept asking myself does anybody really ever WANT to be a Sasquatch? Maybe the target demographic of younger readers would give a hearty YES in response, and for all I know my kids would love this. I finished reading because I enjoyed seeing Native American mythology portrayed in a kids comic, although it figures it'd be the white boy who receives powers instead of the far more interesting girl who already lives by the forest. Good enough but not exactly relevant to my interests.

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the art is nice, this is far too short to actually get anywhere with the plot. The art is reminiscent of something else I've read, but I can't place it, and the colours are vibrant and fitting to the setting. Unfortunately, though, you can't get much of a feel for the characters with the length, and although it is part of a series, this feels entirely like setup instead of an actual volume. The characters are also really fun, though, so maybe there'll be more to it with more volumes? 100 pages is difficult to do much with, unfortunately, when it comes to a graphic novel, and I'd like to see more.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy finds a magical necklace in the woods and has an adventure. This is a great book for young children, because it's not too long and the illustrations are great. I have enjoyed work by both the creators before, who are both Canadians.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too short to feel like a full story. But otherwise, super cute and enjoyable! I love the art and bright colors by Faith Erin Hicks and the begrudging friendship of Rufus and Penny (though I would have been happy if they had decided to share the totem).
Will read vols 2 & 3!

[Shyla Colt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! A weekend at his Grandma's house turns into so much more when a wooden totem turns Rufus into a Bigfoot. With a bit I'd mystic magic , pre teen angst, and adventures with talking animals this was a blast to read.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading graphic novels with intent to share with my kids. This one is kind of a basic adventure story, with maybe a bit too much creepy in it. It doesn't have that special something--that heart--I'm looking for.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten year old Rufus gets bored while visiting his grandmother, and ventures into the nearby woods. He finds a rare totem, that everyone seems to want. But once Rufus discovers what it can do, he decides to keep it for himself.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

7yo really enjoyed the story, but had some problematic discussion of totems and "spirit guides" (https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...)

[Tara Carlisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Cute graphic novel about a boy who thinks he's going to have a boring visit with his grandmother but ultimately ends up having a great adventure and making a new friend.

[Jason Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

mildly scary, kind of interesting

[Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it love it love it love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i finish it to day in 10minits and Im going to finish the 2ed one today aaaaaaaah

[Anthony Faber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid stuff. Somewhat amusing, but kid stuff.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story! I love the characters, and they bring the basic "found treasure, gained new power" to life. I really like the twist and look forward to seeing what happens next.

[mt-reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute book with some nice artwork but the story was a bit too quick and bare bones to me. It’s a nice book to take up 30 mins with.

[Nelson U · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5

A sweet fun story by one of my favourite creators. I’m excited to continue.

[Rachel Ziebell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliana 7 years- I liked him getting attacked by ravens and turning in to bigfoot boy.

Easy quick read for a 2nd grader

[Simon Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this trilogy. Rufus and Penny's friendship was very good. I would love to find another book about transforming characters like that.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick enjoyable read