PAUL BUNYAN VS. HALS HALSON

Step aside, Paul Bunyan, Hals Halson has come to challenge you as the “greatest lumberjack in North America.” When Paul suggests that instead of fighting they work as a team, Hals responds by attacking, first trying to wrestle (“That tickles,” Paul says), then kicking him, then throwing him over his shoulder and finally charging headfirst into Paul’s stomach—and the impact is so strong that all the trees for five miles lose their leaves. Every time Hals tries to harm him, Paul brushes his efforts aside. In the end, Paul waits for him to revive and hands him some fresh biscuits. Hals groans and stands up, “How’d you like to hire the SECOND best lumberjack in North America?” And so a “tall” tale of a strange friendship is born. The rustic, rough-hewn illustrations are bold, with a sculpted look that plays up the combatants’ brawn and their outsized proportions; Babe is a vibrant, glowing blue. The author’s note refers to the growth of Paul Bunyan tales but makes no mention of her source for Hals Halson, who is a far-flung character not found in most children’s books about Bunyan, if any. That probably won’t matter to kids, who will assume he’s made-up, just like Paul. (Picture book. 5-8)