Naseem Hrab (Canadian Children’s Book News, Spring 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 2))
As a dedicated fan of professional wrestling and strong men competitions, I was eager to read Nicolas Debon’s latest graphic novel-style biography, The Strongest Man in the World: Louis Cyr. The Strongest Man in the World takes the reader on a journey through the life of Louis Cyr (1863-1912), a world famous Canadian strongman. From his grandfather’s strength training sessions to the first time he lifts a horse up off the ground using his bare hands, Cyr is depicted as a gentle, humble man who has found a way to use his unusual strength to support his family. As with Four Pictures by Emily Carr, Debon deftly captures the life of a Canadian luminary in under 40 pages. His stunning illustrations are rendered in muted earth tones and his sharp dialogue makes you feel as if you’re sitting in the circus audience. Even though no illustration of Cyr is larger than 3 inches tall, he seems humongous! And when I was greeted with the real photographs of Cyr in the Afterword, I thought he looked tiny in comparison to Debon’s majestic portraits. I enjoyed this book immensely and am ashamed to say that my only criticism is cliché -- I wish it were longer! Grades 3 and up. 2007, Groundwood Books, (hc) $17.95. Ages 8 up.

Joan Kindig, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
This visually striking story of the strongest man in the world is told from his young daughter’s point of view. Currently the strongman in his own circus, Cyr has been told by his doctor to make some changes in his life. One of the changes is giving up the physically demanding work he does and retiring from the circus. Before he does, though, he tells his young daughter how he came to be the strongest man in the world and owner of his own circus. As a small child, he was stronger than others, and he parlayed this talent into becoming a showman in both Canada and the United States. Told in a graphic novel format, the images are primarily strong, earthy tones that seem to reflect power of the main character. The endpapers set the stage with images of circus acts that serve to draw you into the book immediately. This is an interesting biography of a strongman from a different era when circuses were not glamorous extravaganzas. Louis Cyr was the strongest man in the world but he was also a hardworking man whose main job was providing for his family in a way that most of us will never experience. Interesting backmatter provides additional information about Louis Cyr as well as further reading elating to circuses. 2007, Groundwood Books, $17.95. Ages 7 up.

Marilynne V. Black (CM Magazine, March 30, 2007 (Vol. XIII, No. 16))
Weighing in at 360 pounds, Cyr learns from the doctor that, if he doesn't take care of himself, he will not live much longer. The story depicts him reminiscing with his daughter about his life as a weightlifting contestant at an annual fair, a policeman, a touring performer and a circus owner. Although this picture book is catalogued as nonfiction, it goes beyond that. Debon has duplicated the comic book format of Four Pictures of Emily Carr to bring the career of the Quebec strongman to life. Pictures, ranging in size from nine to a page to full page, blend fictionalized dialogue in speech bubbles with information in short captions below the pictures. There is not, however, enough information about what records Cyr held, and in some cases still holds, to make this an in-depth biography. Because of this, it is not a book from which to do an extensive research report. However, coupled with the one page Afterword, enough background information is given to entice young readers to learn more about this little known Canadian. Given that there are so few books about famous Canadians, this will be a welcome addition to library shelves. Cyr's childhood, early training, and later circus life are simply depicted in muted colours giving the book an old-fashioned look which is in keeping with the story. The endpapers are decorated with "sports cards" of other early strongmen and circus performers. The book also contains several reproductions of actual photographs of Cyr. In addition, a brief Author's Note, Picture Credits, and several books about Cyr are cited. Recommended. Rating: *** /4. Grades 1-7. 2007, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi, 36 pp., cloth, $17.95. Ages 6 to 12.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 6))
An air of Gallic melancholy tinges this graphic-style, fictionalized memoir. Cyr, a Québécois circus performer of the late-19th century, whose feats of strength still are seldom equaled, looks back from the twilight of his career to the training and encouragement received as a child from a stern grandfather, and then the rise to worldwide fame for such exploits as lifting massive rocks, a draft horse and even a platform holding no fewer than 18 audience volunteers. Rendered in subdued browns, the small but legible panels depict a bulky, gentle man with downcast eyes, surpassing rivals and wowing crowds but always looking as if his mind were elsewhere. From Cyr's commentary, readers will come to understand that there was technique as well as strength in his art, and the author closes with a value-added thumbnail history, with photos, of Cyr and of sideshow acts in general. A memorable glimpse into the life of a different sort of athlete. 2007, Groundwood/Douglas & McIntyre, 36p, $17.95. Category: Graphic nonfiction. Ages 7 to 9. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Anna Hartle (Library Media Connection, November/December 2007)
This picture book biography recounts the life of Louis Cyr, the 19th century Canadian circus performer who was billed as the Strongest Man in the World. Beginning with his childhood, the book ends with him performing one last time and leaving the world of show business. Written in graphic novel style, the book includes the author's simple, muted, color drawings. It includes an afterword that recounts in more detail the story of Louis Cyr, including sepia photographs and a circus poster. In spite of its narrow focus, this book might appeal to older elementary students who are looking for a fast, easy read or a student doing research on notable Canadians. Bibliography. Index. Additional Selection. 2007, Groundwood Books, 36pp., $17.95 hc. Ages 8 to 11.

Karen Loch (Resource Links, October 2007 (Vol. 13, No. 1))
This wonderfully illustrated book tells the story of Louis Cyr, the strongest man in the world, in the graphic novel format. Nicolas Debon, author and illustrator of A Brave Soldier and Four Pictures by Emily Carr, has again created a masterpiece that is certain to entertain readers of all ages. The illustrations are both entertaining and explicit in detail. Little is known about the Canadian Louis Cyr. This biography is set in Quebec at the turn of the 20th century. Written in first person, Cyr, a man of larger than normal proportions and circus owner, tells his life story to his young daughter. A doctor has advised Cyr that it is in his best interest to retire from circus life. In explicit detail he recalls his adventures while traveling through Europe and entertaining audiences with demonstrations of his strength and endurance. This story is an excellent read for the struggling reader who is intimidated with books that contain a lot of text. Category: Non-Fiction Grades K-6. Thematic Links: Canadian Biography; Louis Cyr. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Gr. 5 up. 2007, Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, 36p. Illus., Hdbk. $17.95. Ages 10 up.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, May 2007 (Vol. 60, No. 9))
He may not be currently ranked among the superlatives on the official list of record holders, but Canadian power-lifter Louis Cyr was credited, at least in the nineteenth century’s less than fastidious reckoning, as the strongest man known. In this engaging graphic-novel-styled picture book treatment, an older, weakened Cyr recounts his exploits for his young daughter in plainspoken narration that bespeaks a man who boasts as much modesty as muscle. Readers may marvel at his feats—lifting a draft horse or a platform of men on his back, besting an opponent by heaving a mud-slicked 450-plus pound boulder, raising a 553-pound weight with one finger—but they will also experience a touch of sadness at the dwindling career of a renowned athlete whose still bulky body has been worn by years of overuse. The bordered panels of varying sizes that huddle shoulder to shoulder might have benefited from the inclusion of gutters, but Cyr himself is cleverly portrayed as if chiseled from a boulder, and the restrained earth and blue-gray shades evoke an aura of melancholy memory. Closing materials comprise a note on Cyr and the traveling circuses of his era, photo reproductions, and a brief list for further reading, and endpapers feature a host of contemporary showmen. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2007, Groundwood/House of Anansi, 28p.; Reviewed from galleys, $17.95. Grades 3-6.

Wendy Wheat (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 20, No. 3))
This is a biography written in an easy-to-understand comic book format, told in the voice of the subject, Louis Cyr. The illustrations are beautifully done--the language understandable for sixth through eighth graders (may be a bit simple for high school students). An important part of this book is the Afterword which gives photos and factual details about Mr. Cyr. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 6-8. 2007, Groundwood/House of Anansi, 27p., $17.95. Ages 11 to 14.