This was a very fun take on the classic story of Bigfoot. Young readers will definitely enjoy this writing style as well as the illustrations!

This is the first in the series of mysterious monsters. I was initially drawn to this book for my interest in Bigfoot lore. Although not much is learned about Bigfoot in general, it was still a cute beginner's chapter book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

I was excited when I was approved to review Mysterious Monsters: Bigfoot. My son is obsessed with Bigfoot and other monsters and could not wait to read this book with him. We both loved it and can not wait to see what other book comes out with the Mysterious Monsters series.
5 stars.

This book was so much fun! We read it as a family and one of my daughters is obsessed with Bigfoot anyway so it made it that much better. A perfect blend of fun, mystery, and fantasy. Highly recommend. We're looking forward to the rest of the series!

I received this through the Netgalley.. This is the first book I've read by Mr. Slater. I'm definitely going to read the other books in this series. A really enjoyable book that can be enjoyed by most age groups even Moms and Dads..

Bigfoot is first in Mysterious Monster series. It is the story of three little Mattigans who like their father never believed in any fantasies or monsters but when they meet their grandfather they were giving their beliefs a second thought. Story was about betrayal, revenge, and importance of family with many teachable moments.

So let’s meet Mattigans.

Characters-
Maddie– 12 year old big sister, who loves to be in charge. Since their mother disappeared 2 years back, she was mom for her two little brothers. She was smart and very responsible sister. I liked how she handled her brothers without ever in forceful rude manner.

Max– 10 old middle Mattigan, wannabe spy who roams the house and goes everywhere with his spy-nocular. His ‘Ah-haa’s were funny and loved his few witty remarks for his little brother.

Theo– 8-year-old youngest Mattigan who never goes anywhere without his peanut butter banana sandwich. He was such a cute little Mattigan who was also odd one as he was the only one in the family interested in fantasies and fairy tales specifically Hensel and Gretel. Little trouble maker when saw Grandpa Joe’s journal, he was so desperate to go on finding monster that, he set out without waiting for his siblings. You can see his fascination at this part of the story. Though he was reckless he was smart kid. His ‘Humph’s were also adorable.

What I liked-
What a story teller and mesmerizing narration! It had a feeling like we are hearing the story from magical story teller. Introductory chapter of book was cool which gave the summary of the book, telling what you would expect from the book. I liked that illustrations were provided only where it required, not like every page illustrated. They were all logical and beautiful. It was easy to follow for children keeping them on the edge till they finish the story.

I loved the introduction chapter of all Mattigans with all minute detail that you can visualize all of them even before you see them in illustrations. They were smart, sensitive and can handle anything on their own. Though they were young and innocent looking, they showed a bit of maturity in them. Their thoughts and actions were so adorable that can make anyone fall in love with them. Loved their confession and how they showed love for their father at the end.

As I said before, there were many teachable moments like- not to go around places without your siblings and adults, not to trust anyone easily, taking care of your family and understanding their feelings, and last but not least always keep a reserve of emergency ‘peanut butter banana sandwich’.

There were surprising shocking twist and turns. It was a great mystery to explore for young readers. I loved the end of the book especially the discussion question to ponder on who the actual monster was in the story also with a hidden message that there are many monsters out there in the world than those we read in the books and fantasies. I’m sure parents and teachers would love to read this story to their kids and discuss the question with them.

This was my first book by this author and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I would happily read the next books of this series.

Overall, it was brilliant cute mystery with a touch of fantasy and remarkable characters that every child would love. I recommend this book to all kids, parents, and school libraries.

Cute story about a boy who grew up in a family of skeptics and sets out to find Bigfoot. While the plot is entertaining and fun, it could have been fleshed out more.

I’d like to present this book with the coveted 🏆 I’m Excited About This New Series award for February 2018. 👏

The first in the Mysterious Monsters series, early reader chapter books for kids from 6 to 9 years, we’re introduced to the Mattigan family who live in Portland, Oregon, in the best Hide-and-Go-Seek house in the world.

While their father is in West Virginia to debunk the legend of the Mothman, siblings Maddie, Max and Theo get an unexpected visitor. They meet their Grandpa Joe for the first time and unlike their father, Grandpa Joe believes in monsters and brings his Mysterious Monster journal with him. Although their father has always maintained monsters aren’t real, it isn’t long before Grandpa Joe has convinced the Mattigan children to search the woods around their home for evidence of Bigfoot!

The Mattigan family are:

Father: Marcus, professional sceptic and star of “Monstrous Lies with Marcus Mattigan”. Appears to have a fairly advanced case of Dad humour.

Mother: Vanished two years ago… [cue The Twilight Zone theme]

Oldest Child: Maddie, 12 years old, likes being in charge of her two younger brothers and is adept at using both Eyeballing and Lecture Mode to keep her brothers in line.

Middle Child: Max, 10 years old, is frequently seen with his “spy-nocular” and adopting “the crouch”. Max loves maps and old books. His love of books obviously makes him my favourite character.

Youngest Child: Theo, 8 years old, loves watching Hansel and Gretel and doesn’t go anywhere without his sack of peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches.

This book has plenty of humour, adventure and mystery, and was a lot of fun to read. I really enjoyed David Michael Slater’s writing style and was surprised by how quickly I came to know and like these children. All of the characters have their own quirks and there aren’t any boring bits in the story.

The Mattigan family have a number of family and personal catchphrases which you’ll quickly become well acquainted with. My favourite catchphrase was Max’s variations of “If that’s your/his/my/our real name”, which made me smile each time I read it.

All of the catchphrases are used frequently and while they were amusing and cute in this book there is the potential for them to wander toward the ad nauseam end of the spectrum for adults after a couple of books if they continue to be used as much. However, adults aren’t the target audience so this point is basically irrelevant.

Mauro Sorghienti’s illustrations were jaw drop worthy. What a talented artist! I’d love to own a coloured copy of the illustration of the Mattigan mansion surrounded by the trees of Forest Park. There’s a mysterious and haunted quality to the building and I want to know when I can move in!

If this book is any indication of what’s to come this is going to be a super fun series. I need to go on some more adventures with this family ASAP and I look forward to telling you about them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Incorgnito Publishing Press imprint Corgi Bits and Smith Publicity for the opportunity to read this book.

In the second book we will be finding out if the truth really is out there. I want to believe! [cue The X Files theme] 👽