The
Last of the Tree Ranchers
". . . is one dad-blasted funny story . . . If you can read this
one without chuckling, your funny bone is probably dislocated."
Toronto Star
"It's absurd [and] funny and the illustrations provide a marvellous
counterpoint to the zany text."
Children's Book News
"The illustrations are hilarious, and their appeal knows no age
restrictions . . . the silliness of these hapless cowboys mounting trees
to chase down rustling beavers won't escape anyone."
Quill & Quire
"John Bianchi took me by surprise . . . I've never encountered
an author with such a weird sense of humour. Bianchi's intention is to
write and illustrate stories which both children and adults will enjoy.
He has succeeded . . . The book would appeal to all ages."
Canadian Champion
Bushmen
Brouhaha
"The story starts off with a lovely description of the African
plain . . . Then ZAP on the very next page, we're plunged into
slapstick, irony, and sight gags that set the tone for the rest of the
book."
Quill &Quire
"Bushmen Brouhaha is well bound, very colourful and appealing.
. . its humour will appeal to primary-level children, as well as older
students."
Canadian Materials
Champions
of Hockey
"Children and adults will enjoy this spoof on a national sport
. . . The simple text is informal, and the illustrations facilitate the
early reader's ability to predict vocabulary. The book could be useful
for group discussion about values as they relate to competitive sports."
The Reviewing Librarian
"This book is a minor work of art . . . but it does what it sets
out to do. It provides a uniformly exciting and joyful experience."
Canadian Children's Literature
Flight
of the Space Quester
"Bianchi is gifted and goofy in this particular genre, which he's
honed as the author and illustrator of many books . . . The book works
best when it is shared; with wit original and layered enough to appeal
to ages 7 to adult, it's a book that's a good laugh for the tired old grown-up
as well as for the young listener."
Quill & Quire
"Bianchi's offbeat humour and technical jargon will appeal to would-be
space travellers. A fun and adventurous tale for 5-to-8-year-olds with
an interest in space travel . . . Recommended."
Canadian Book Review Annual
Three
Stories High (a Bungalo Boys anthology)
"Bianchi counterbalances deadpan prose with distinctive off-the-wall
cartoons. The story lines are bizarre enough in themselves, but with illustrations
that seem to be simultaneously influenced by Monty Python and Alfred Hitchcock,
Bianchi consistently produces superb tales of red-blooded North American
silliness. . . . Highly recommended."
Canadian Book Review Annual
