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

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.