The Big Blue Thing on the Hill

When a mysterious "big blue thing" appears, forest animals are baffled and afraid, so they try to make it leave.Readers (or their parents) will know that the "thing" is a VW bus, but the animals don't. Nevertheless, they sense that it poses danger. After much speculation about what it might be (an elephant? a dinosaur? a thing?), the wolves suggest frightening it away. They howl at it in the night, all to no avail. The bears are equally unsuccessful in spooking it with growls, and the wild boars' huffs, puffs, pushes and shoves can't budge it either. The smaller creatures (foxes, badgers and weasels) then try to dig around it and bury it-only to have it make a noise. This frightens everyone, and they run to seek the counsel of the Wise Owls, who suggest that the very smallest of creatures form a "BIG BUG FLYING SQUAD" with "a snake or two...for good measure" to swarm the big blue thing. Lo and behold, the plan works, and the animals can enjoy their pristine wilderness in peace-until another visitor arrives to deliver a space-age punch line. While the story never explains why the thing is unquestionably a threat, it revels in its telling, and detailed, playful, digital art succeeds in heightening humor. One thing's for sure: This will be a big hit. (Picture book. 3-7) * Kirkus Reviews *
Zommer makes a rousing debut with a story about forest creatures faced with a menacing adversary. "It's a meteorite!" cry the bears. "It's a spaceship!" shout the wolves. Spoiler: it's a VW microbus, and it stops right at the top of Howling Hill, the very spot where boars, badgers, bears, and foxes practice making terrifying noises at night. Several plans to defeat the so-called Big Blue Thing fail ("They huffed and puffed as they pushed and shoved with all their might") until the Wisest Old Owl instructs the animals to organize the local insects into a Big Bug Flying Squad, whose swarms achieve in short order what howling and growing could not. Zommer's digital artwork retains a cozy, painterly sense as he gives the boars splotchy coats, the insects delicate wings, and the microbus dainty white curtains (its human inhabitants never emerge). Best of all are his hilarious predators, whose cross-eyed stares, sheepish expressions, and toothy grins make them instantly loveable. Children will delight in the creatures' dogged efforts to reclaim their home, and they'll appreciate the bonus ending-after-the-ending, too. Ages 3-7. * DL Reviews *
The residents of a peaceful and sleepy forest near Howling Hill are puzzled to discover a Big Blue Thing has appeared in the middle of the night. What could it be, and how can they get rid of it? In this hilarious tale the animals try all manner of mad-cap schemes to make the Big Blue Thing move on, but what IS this mysterious creature? A very clever story, beautifully illustrated. -- WRD * WRD Books *
What is the blue monster on the hill, wonder all the animals. They all agree it has no place on their beautiful and peaceful hill so in turn the foxes, wolves, warthogs and even the bears try to scare it away, all to no avail. But then wise owl suggests sending the smallest creatures in - success! This is just brilliant to read aloud, with all the wonderful sounds and language for children to share. The delicate illustrations perfectly capture the beauty of nature in wondrous variety and superb attention to detail - each is a work of art in its own right. A beautiful book to treasure and enjoy over and over again. * Parentsintouch.co.uk *