New Poetry Book

Bibliography

Lewis, J. Patrick & Nesbitt, Kenn. BIGFOOT IS MISSING. 2015. Ill. by MinaLima. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9781452118956

Summary

Have you had a sneaking suspicion that Bigfoot was real or wanted to believe that outrageous stories circulating about the Chupacabra? Children’s Poet Laureates, J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt have co-authored a book about cryptozoology, the study of animals rumored to exist, but have not yet been definitively proven to exist. The cryptids are partially shown by cleverly integrating them into the paired illustrations created by MinaLima, the talented design team behind the graphic props for the Harry Potter Films.

Quality and Appeal

Bigfoot is Missing is written to introduce the reader to eighteen cryptids, a term coined by John Wall in 1983. Cryptids are, for the most part, creatures of myth and legend. The book is arranged with a definition of the word, cryptozoology, at the beginning of the book. At the bottom of the introduction page sits a typewriter with the initials of each author typed out on a single sheet a yellow paper. This inventive introduction sets up the format of how each cryptid will be made known. At the conclusion of the book the reader is given a more in depth description and background of each creature detailing the fascinating world of cryptozoology.

Each two-page spread on the beasts offers various means of communication. When talking about the “Beast of Bodmin Moor,” the poem is written as a person text messaging someone. The jargon includes abbreviations and emoticons, “smthg’s in yr garden disturbing the peace,”  “J maybe I shld call police?” The poem ends with an unfinished text message stating, “hold on there’s smthg scratching at my do-.” The illustration shrewdly plays into the language showing the naiveté of the homeowner opening the door allowing mystic Beast of Bodmin Moor easy access to the home. The authors have skillfully connected the rhyme scheme pattern into the common form of communication in today’s world of text messaging with the lines above.

Another example of the poetic element of sound is evident with the inclusion of onomatopoeia in the poem, “Giant Ananconda.” The poem has only three words, which are displayed on a giant, yellow crossing sign. The poem instinctively uses the letter “s” in the word “crossing” to produce the sound of the mammoth snake. The poem says, “GIANT ANACONDA CROSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSING.” The tone of this poem will intrigue young readers with its playful language. To add to the emotional impact of the poem, the reader can view a partial glimpse of the mysterious anaconda dragging a helpless four-legged creature, coiled in its grip. This visual supplies the reader with a feeling of distress.

In addition to use of sound and rhythm, the authors have effectively allowed each poem to impact the reader personally with the inclusion of varied fonts and communication tools when familiarizing the reader with each cryptid. Varied forms of communication forms include milk cartons, classified ads, park signs, wanted posters, and television newscasts. An example of this is in the poem, “Goatman.” The poem is written on a policeman’s citation pad describing the accident with details such as, “VIOLATION (1): Head-butted a car,” and “INSURANCE: Ate Farm.” The illustration provides a menacing overview as the reader views a lone car, totaled by the accident with skid marks and a lone ax lying on the ground next to the car. This visual enhances the mood of the poem.

The design team of MiraLima has superbly coordinated the artwork to entice the reader with a comic book feel. Each of the cryptid’s names appears in the upper left hand corner of each double page layout. The illustrations provide an extra quality to the poems, which at times are humorous and creepy. The bold colors offer depth and appeal to each poem as well as how cleverly the poems are inserted within picture scheme.

Bigfoot Is Missing is an easy to read eye-catching book that will appeal to young readers on topic alone. The poems are short and easy to read which will lend to its charm. Although the subject matter could have a tendency to frighten young readers, the way the book is formatted diminishes the possibility of one being spooked by the subject matter.

Spotlight Poem

Bigfoot

MISSING

LAST SEEN:

WALKING IN THE FOREST.

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT:

MUCH MORE THAN YOU.

GENDER: UNKNOWN

HAIR: ALL OVER

SHOE SIZE

(RUMORED): 92

I chose this poem because everyone, young and old, is familiar with the legend of Bigfoot. I like the way the poem is cleverly disguised on the side of milk carton with large letters atop the side that say, MISSING. The authors humorously describe the features of Bigfoot in a playful way as not to scare off the faint. The poem is eye catching with its depiction of the milk carton’s information, as well a mysterious, furry hand reaching into the cereal bowl for a few flakes of someone’s breakfast. The overall mood is lighthearted and offsets the intensity and foreboding danger that lurks on future pages of the book.

Connections

1. Introduce the book by defining the terms cryptozoology and cryptid.

2. Set the mood by telling students you will be reading several poems about

    cryptids.

3. Dim the lights and have music playing in the background, possibly Halloween music.

4. After reading one or two poems, have students illustrate how they think each cryptid

     might appear to look.