bigfoot

The Expedition was exactly my cup of tea. It carried the whimsical charm of Alice in Wonderland, along with the gentle magic of Enid Blyton’s stories and the weirdness of Neil Gaiman’s works.

The Expedition is a cosy and happy adventure with adorable characters and strange events. The story had many made-up phrases that made the world-building more immersive and piqued my interest. However, I felt the story had ended a little too soon.

What stood out to me most was that the story could be show more interpreted in different ways. For younger readers, it can come across as a cheerful adventure featuring Bigfoot, who would much rather be sipping rhubarb tea, and Lump the rabbit, who firmly believes himself to be the greatest expeditioner of all time.

On the other hand, the entire story could be a figment of the imagination of a Wondrous Peculiar sitting on a rock by the beach. This perspective can be the answer to the strangeness in each encounter, as if it were shaped by wandering thoughts and changing emotions.

This reminded me of how Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, or even Bunny by Mona Awad, can be interpreted. The Expedition may be an adventure that isn’t just happening, but rather being imagined into existence.

Review of copy recieved from Netgalley show less

Flume, by Bigfoot, is an adolescent's psychological journey while experiencing a 33 minute flume ride, that open's his locked away memories of one of the biggest tragedies of his life. The ride down the Summit is 1640 feet with excentric features that a well-known seafarer named Mr. Poppity included in its construction (a lagoon, a bunch of animatronic penguins, a waterfall, and more). Shanks, the main character, is given the unwanted gift of a ticket to this Flume ride and his fear of show more swimming and water causes his memories to resurface in each of the sections of the ride. Through descriptive and figurative language, Bigfoot, takes the reader on this same journey through the flume and Shanks' flashbacks of his tragedy. I read the entire book in one sitting as I couldn't put it down. It was as if you were another rider in the Summit with Shanks and his two outcast friends. I love how it is a totally different way of writing and it reminds me of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea mixed with Journey to the Center of the Earth. I thoroughly enjoyed it. show less

This was a fun collection, perfect for middle grade and older readers. This book is really accessible for younger readers, and a great introduction to speculative/surreal fiction. I loved how the first story drew on Alice in Wonderland vibes, without actually going down a rabbit hole (literally or figuratively). The second and third stories were just as interesting and fun, and it would be easy to read this book in an afternoon, or read each story separately. The opening, when we first go show more through the door in the woods, really sets the tone for what's to come. The imagery is vivid enough it feels like you're watching everything, and really adds to the surreal vibe that permeates the book from cover to cover. Definitely recommend for the kids who enjoy reading offbeat things. show less

In an age rife with distractions, stories are increasingly at risk of being lost. In a town much like countless others, tales, books, and films have faced bans, burns, and closures imposed by the Council, leaving only the pervasive gossip of "the vine" in their wake. Amidst this cultural decay, a solitary twelve-year-old girl named Ceres is determined to preserve the art of storytelling. Every Sunday evening, she gathers a few friends in the woods to project her carefully crafted narratives show more using a flickering light beam from her left eye. However, as her projections begin to fade and strange phenomena occur, including a blue substance oozing from her nose, Ceres finds herself compelled to flee. Abandoning her gossip-obsessed mother and battling through the vine-infested landscape, she embarks on a journey to save the stories that fill her mind, accompanied only by her loyal goldfish, Hemingway, and a pocketful of Blue Stonker cheese.

"The Projectionist" presents a whimsical adventure that underscores the power of storytelling in rapidly changing times. The author's use of visually appealing language brings scenes to life with vivid descriptions that engage readers' imaginations. While the book's playful tone may resonate with both children and adults alike—drawing comparisons to the works of Roald Dahl and evoking the fantastical elements of "Alice in Wonderland"—it does suffer from some inconsistencies. The inclusion of inappropriate language for its target audience detracts from its overall appeal. Despite these shortcomings, the narrative offers intriguing characters and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. Ultimately, while "The Projectionist" is an imaginative effort deserving of recognition, it would benefit from greater refinement and clarity to fully capture its layered meanings and ensure a more immersive reading experience. show less