There are kids in college now that weren’t alive when Bone first came out in 1991. In the decades since, many kids
have read the adventures of the Bone cousins from Boneville.
In 2005, Bone joined the Scholastic group and the universe expanded beyond the original series of 55 comics; in hardbound, softbound, and tribute editions, plus a huge door-stop edition of the whole series The Complete Bone.
More Tall Tales was preceded by Tall Tales, which Scholastic published in 2010. One doesn’t have to have read that to enjoy this offering. The first Tall Tales was a compilation of mostly new stories about the founding of Boneville, plus stories about what happened to the Bone cousins on the way to the Undiscovered Valley, (so, kind of a prequel) and included the previously published Stupid Stupid Rat Tails. Tom Sniegoski returns in More Tall Tales as partner to Jeff Smith’s writing and illustrations.
More Tall Tales continues this “new-stories-plus-previously-published-stories” idea. I reviewed the print uncorrected proof. Unlike the first Bone comics from the early 90s, (which I still own) the first sixteen pages are full color. A note on the title page explains that the final published copy for purchase will be in 100% color, which makes Bone better than ever. The art, story pacing, timing, and writing is as excellent as I remember—sharp, witty, sweet and laugh-out-loud funny.
Phoney Bone is still irritable and truculent (“You can’t do anything to a rich person that he doesn’t want!”), Fone Bone is still calm and practical, and Smiley Bone is still imperturbable and well, smiley. The cousins are older now and Smiley and Fone have taken some Bone Scouts on a camping trip—they tell tales to the young Scouts around the campfire. Of course, Bartleby is there too, and he even has a story to tell. (Quiche figures in it.) Just like the original Bone series, the stories veer from slapstick comedy to sort-of-darker fantasy, but no real violence or blood is portrayed. Some rat creatures get a lot of broom whacking, though!
If the art in the story “Riblet” seems familiar, nerds will be pleased to see that Stan Sakai has done a guest illustration stint! Young ones won’t know who that is, but it doesn’t matter. The story holds up! The reason it seems familiar is it was originally published in the 3-issue 1998 Stupid Stupid Rat Tails. Nobody in the forest wants to play with Riblet, and the Rat Creatures soon find out why! It’s completely silly fun. Illustrator Katie Cook and colorist Tom Gaadt round out the duties in this 118-page collaboration. There are two new one-page illustrations and 6 pages of the original Bone #1 with its original cover in the back. Kids new to BONE will be wanting to read more of the story that came before.
My copy was the paperback uncorrected proof, but the final published copy is available in paperback on the Scholastic site, or hardback or paperback on Amazon.
It was good to see these characters again. This is a short enjoyable romp that pairs well with other Bone offerings or stands alone on its comedy. It’s listed by Scholastic for grades 3-7 or ages 8-12. If your library already owns other Bone titles, this optional title could complete your collection.
Bone: More Tall Tales
By Jeff Smith, Tom Sniegoski,
Art by Jeff Smith, Stan Sakai, Matt Smith, Katie Cook
Scholastic GRAPHIX, 2023
ISBN: 9781338726381
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11)
