A Giant Man from a Tiny Town: A Story of Angus MacAskill

by Tom Ryan, Christopher Hoyt (Illustrator)

Overview

When Angus MacAskill was still just a boy, he began to grow…and grow…and grow! Known far and wide as the Cape Breton Giant, Angus was loved by his neighbours as much for his beautiful singing voice as for his renowned strength. But as much as Angus loved his little town of St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, he decided to leave and seek fortune and adventure.With heartfelt text from critically acclaimed author Tom Ryan and meticulously researched and joyful illustrations from Christopher Hoyt (A is for Adventure), A Giant Man from a Tiny Town tells the story of a remarkable man who travelled the world performing for crowds, but never stopped longing to return to the place he loved the best: his Cape Breton home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771086554
Publisher:	Nimbus
Publication date:	10/09/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Tom Ryan was born in Inverness, Cape Breton, and is the author of several books for young readers. He has been nominated for the White Pine Award, the Stellar Award, and the Hackmatack Award, is a two time Junior Library Guild recipient, and was a 2017 Lambda Literary Fellow in Young Adult Fiction. With his husband and their dog, Wheeler, he has lived in a number of Canadian cities, but spends as much time as possible at their Cape Breton farmhouse. For more information, visit www.tomryanauthor.com.
Christopher Hoyt is an illustrator living and working in the Maritimes, where he finds himself ever fascinated with local folklore and history. His work can be found in museums across the country, as well as in dozens of book titles. He also illustrated the popular outdoor-themed book A is for Adventure. This is his second children’s book.

Editorial Reviews

"This book would be good to use with young children to show how even though some people may look different, they are not really all that different and everybody has a place. It is also a good introduction to the biography genre for young readers." —Resource Links (Pouch Cove, NF)

"The simple yet poetic narrative has a nostalgic feel. In addition, the black middle-size font moves around the pages intertwining with illustrations that portray the story's heartwarming sentiments. Hoyt uses a soft palette of light blue, green, and brown with flashes of red to deliver the tone of the art that progresses harmoniously with the text." —School Library Journal

"By the repeated refrain, 'Angus felt like the tiniest thing in the whole world', Ryan provides a point for young readers to realize that their feelings of uncertainty can be shared by people who seem to have every reason for confidence." —Canadian Review of Materials (Winnipeg, MB)

From the Publisher

04/01/2019

Gr 1–3—Canadian YA author Ryan reveals the story of a 19th-century boy, Angus MacAskill, who became one of the tallest men in history. Angus spent part of his childhood in the Scottish Hebrides, where he went about his days as a normal-sized boy. However, after his family relocated to Cape Breton Island, Angus grew until he reached seven feet and nine inches tall as an adult. Hardworking, generous, and strong, Angus enjoyed farm life and the company of his friendly neighbors. Nonetheless, Angus dreamed of foreign lands. He went on to visit many places working for P. T. Barnum's circus. The simple yet poetic narrative has a nostalgic feel. In addition, the black middle-size font moves around the pages intertwining with illustrations that portray the story's heartwarming sentiments. Hoyt uses a soft palette of light blue, green, and brown with flashes of red to deliver the tone of the art that progresses harmoniously with the text. It's only the children's adult-looking faces that might pose some confusion as Angus matures in the book. This picture book can be used as part of different primary grades' curricular units at school on individual differences and tolerance, 19th-century life in urban and rural towns, and interesting historical figures. The back matter contains biographical and anecdotal information and a black-and-white photograph of Angus taken from the Library and Archives in Canada. VERDICT This engaging and easy-to-follow title will charm primary grade readers. —Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

School Library Journal