Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom
Written and Illustrated by John S. McFarland
A touching story of a boy and his motherly new friend.
"The type of book every young Cryptid enthusiast should read."
~ David Bakara, Expedition Bigfoot: The Sasquatch Museum
in paperback and on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
This book is appropriate for ages 6 and up.
Evan Nestor Bettancourt is sure he saw a real, giant monster in his bedroom one night. Thank goodness he had Froggums, his favorite stuffed toy, to protect him. But his dad wants him to stop seeing imaginary creatures and start looking at scientific information. He says there is nothing new to discover in the world, and that Evan Nestor needs to learn the facts.
But Evan Nestor does discover something new, something that most people say doesn't exist: a real, live Sasquatch! Her name is Annette, and he is so lucky she found him when he got lost. She is very kind, and Evan Nestor feels very protected.
The problem is there are people who also believe the Sasquatch is real, and they want to catch her and maybe even hurt her! Evan Nestor needs to get home to his worried parents, but he doesn't want his new friend to be captured. What can they do to keep Annette's existence a secret, but still get Evan Nestor home safe?
Come join Evan Nestor and Annette on their journey of discovery and fun, of kindness and love, with illustrations by the author himself. We know after you read this book, you'll want to get out and explore, and maybe find a Sasquatch for yourself!
About the Author
John S. McFarland's first adult novel, The Black Garden, was published in 2010 to universal praise. His work has appeared in The Twilight Zone Magazine, Eldritch Tales, National Lampoon, River Styx, Tornado Alley, and in the anthology A Treasury of American Horror Stories. He has written extensively on historical and arts-related subjects and has been a guest lecturer in fiction at Washington University in St. Louis. He is a lifelong Bigfoot enthusiast and wanted to bring his love for the popular cryptid to children. Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom is his first novel for young readers.
Visit John's website at jsmcfarlandauthor.com.
Praise for Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom
"Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom by John S. McFarland is a delightfully illustrated romp for young readers, woven together with legend, conspiracy theory, loveable monsters, colorful characters, and unforgettable character naming conventions such as Wesley Interruptus Buttinski. McFarland has the whimsical storytelling of Roald Dahl. A terrific book to read aloud with the kids."
~ Kevin M. Folliard, author of Grayson North, Frost-Keeper of the Windy City
"Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom is the kind of book every young Cryptid enthusiast should read. While so many films and books portray these beings as monstrous, the fact is they are more like us in many ways. Adventure, surprises, and discovery await the young mind in this delightful book. Recommended!”
~ David Bakara, Expedition Bigfoot: The Sasquatch Museum, Blue Ridge, Georgia
"All parts of Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom are scintillatingly believable in their sharp focus, realistic action, sure character, and plot development. Undoubtedly, like many readers, this reviewer was moved to tears when Evan sacrificed his beloved Froggums for Annette to cherish, understanding and identifying with her special loneliness. Like J.K. Rowling and others, McFarland never underestimates the sensitivity and sophistication of his intended audience.”
~ Midwest Book Review
"Well, I must tell you: everybody loves Annette and I knew they would because it's just a lovely book. Young readers are excited by the story and many wan to read it again as soon as they finish it! They are very anxious to find out what happens in the next book!"
~Sanja Petriska, VF Libris
"I recently finished reading your book, Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom to my second grade class in the Parkway School District. My students loved your story! We used it in conjunction with our unit on chapter books...
"We thought Evan Nestor was very brave and rather intelligent, too. We also thought he was fortunate to have experienced such a thrilling adventure. His problems reminded some of us about times when we were lost and scared. Our class clapped when Evan Nestor was reunited with his parents.
"The students also loved Annette. Part of our class thought they might be afraid to read a story about a Sasquatch, but the cover put those fears to rest. Once we saw the illustration of Annette wearing the pink, heart-shaped sunglasses, we knew she was a good creature. Most of our group thought they would like to ride up on Annette's shoulders, the way Evan Nestor did. However, none of us wanted to stay in the trailer with crazy old Liam!...
"Thank you for writing such a wonderful story. It has been a long time since I have read a book that has captured the attention of my entire class. Looking forward to Annette's adventures as a grandmother!"
~ Mimi D. Barrow, Parkway School District,
St. Louis County