With Tom Sniegoski. Using a campfire tale framework, this companion to the Bone series features collected tall tales of Big Johnson Bone, founder of Boneville. Like a cross between Davy Crockett and Paul Bunyan, Big Johnson battles Old Man Winter and takes on the Queen of the Rats. The improbable legends will entertain fans while providing more history about the Bone universe.

Gr 4-8 This installment introduces Big Johnson Bone, the explorer who founded Boneville. A fearless Davey Crockett-like character, he defeats a cave bear when just a baby and grows up to best all manner of beasts, including a pack of ratlike creatures intent on taking over the forest. Big Johnson&9;s recklessness in the face of danger results in much humor, as does the commentary of his terrified, sarcastic monkey companion. Smith&9;s quick wit shines through in the exchanges between Johnson and his companions. The colorful art is jam-packed with action, and the characters are enhanced with exaggerated features and movements. The story moves quickly as Big Johnson falls into one predicament after another. This addition to the &4;Bone&4; saga will keep readers of the series happy and create new fans. Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Now that Scholastic has completed its colorization of the entire Bone series, including the prequel, Rose (2009), fans get this little collection of bite-size morsels to savor as they await with bated breath the first book in a new Bone trilogy due out this fall. A couple new stories lead into the centerpiece, which was first published as Stupid Stupid Rat-Tails by Smith's Cartoon Books in 1999. This yarn follows the legendary founder of Boneville, Big Johnson Bone, and his adventures in the Valley, where rat creatures are threatening the cuddly forest denizens. The stern-jawed, brawl-ready Big Johnson doesn't quite have the lasting personality of Fone, Phoney, or Smiley, but his hilariously offhanded heroics and nearly delusional coolheadedness in the face of danger ("This reminds me of the time I was nearly consumed by the voracious Hungrisaur! There I was, buck naked . . ." he says as he is swallowed by an enormous rat creature) make for unswervingly entertaining reading. Pretty much an essential purchase for collections that house Bone, which should be all of them.