jennywithaz's review against another edition
5.0
I love this quirky, affectionate portrayal of a larger-than-life figure who was a well known fixture in Montreal but perhaps not so much so elsewhere. The illustrations are fantastic and the humor is silly and tender.
I think the Publisher's Weekly review of this book sums it up best when it concludes, "What’s to be made of lives that don’t go the way they were supposed to? Gravel shows that they’re worth paying attention to." This book accomplishes that, and it does so with gusto and abundant good humor.
I think the Publisher's Weekly review of this book sums it up best when it concludes, "What’s to be made of lives that don’t go the way they were supposed to? Gravel shows that they’re worth paying attention to." This book accomplishes that, and it does so with gusto and abundant good humor.
kwbat12's review against another edition
5.0
Elise Gravel's work is just spectacular. All of her books should be everywhere for kids to read.
antlersantlers's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Cool non-fiction comic easy reader (so many modifiers) about a Croatian-Canadian strongman. The illustrations are great, but it's not really a comic like the other Toon books. It is actually a pretty typical illustrated easy reader, but about a super entertaining topic. The Great Antonio seems like such a wild character, it's fun to imagine him living his life in the real world.
Cool non-fiction comic easy reader (so many modifiers) about a Croatian-Canadian strongman. The illustrations are great, but it's not really a comic like the other Toon books. It is actually a pretty typical illustrated easy reader, but about a super entertaining topic. The Great Antonio seems like such a wild character, it's fun to imagine him living his life in the real world.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
3.0
Kids will be fascinated by Antonio's life and be shocked by some of his exploits.
kristinajean's review against another edition
4.0
Dynamic, silly and colorful illustrations accompany comic-like text set up as a picturebook for transitional readers.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
A tall-tale style account of The Great Antonio's life. In some ways he reminded me of Andre the Giant (who will forever and always be conflated with Fezzik in my mind), and so I loved him for that. But Antonio also brings some unique greatness to the giant wrestler persona. I think my favorite quirk might be his braids, and overall I can see him appealing to kids who appreciate larger-than-life characters.
My only real criticism is that I wanted to know more information. There is a short note after the story about how The Great Antonio was a real man who lived in the author's hometown and there is a single photograph of a joyfully exuberant man inside the front cover. But this just whetted my appetite.
My only real criticism is that I wanted to know more information. There is a short note after the story about how The Great Antonio was a real man who lived in the author's hometown and there is a single photograph of a joyfully exuberant man inside the front cover. But this just whetted my appetite.
booknooknoggin's review against another edition
3.0
Very short read...meant for early readers. Can be read in less than 5 minutes.
abbyaroza's review against another edition
2.0
more than a picture book, less that a chapter book. I like the off beat nature. 2.5