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

Ryan, Tom

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1771086548 ISBN 13: 9781771086547

Publisher: Nimbus Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

"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)

From the Back Cover

circus, traveling, international adventures

Reviews

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, CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Nimbus Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1771086548
• ISBN 13: 9781771086547
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Hoyt Christopher
• Number of pages: 32