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Bone
Bone: More Tall Tales
Contains Bone: Coda
Jeff Smith's bestselling, award-winning BONE saga returns with this hilarious companion to Tall Tales ! Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, and their Rat Creature pal, Bartleby, take a group of young scouts to a legendary landmark that the Bone cousins found when they were kids. They share stories around a campfire, spinning tales of trips to the moon, the delights of quiche, an imagined monster come to life, and an encounter with the two stupid Rat Creatures gone hilariously wrong! This volume includes stories written by Jeff Smith and Tom Sniegoski, and illustrated by Jeff Smith, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, Matt Smith, and Scott Brown.
Jeff Smith's bestselling, award-winning BONE saga returns with this hilarious companion to Tall Tales ! Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, and their Rat Creature pal, Bartleby, take a group of young scouts to a legendary landmark that the Bone cousins found when they were kids. They share stories around a campfire, spinning tales of trips to the moon, the delights of quiche, an imagined monster come to life, and an encounter with the two stupid Rat Creatures gone hilariously wrong! This volume includes stories written by Jeff Smith and Tom Sniegoski, and illustrated by Jeff Smith, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, Matt Smith, and Scott Brown.
128 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2023
8 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Smith
631 books1,434 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
Born and raised in the American mid-west, Jeff Smith learned about cartooning from comic strips, comic books, and watching animation on TV. In 1991, he launched a company called Cartoon Books to publish his comic book BONE, a comedy/adventure about three lost cousins from Boneville. Against all odds, the small company flourished, building a reputation for quality stories and artwork. Word of mouth, critical acclaim, and a string of major awards helped propel Cartoon Books and BONE to the forefront of the comic book industry.
In 1992, Jeff’s wife Vijaya Iyer joined the company as partner to handle publishing and distribution, licensing, and foreign language publications. In the Spring of 2005, Harry Potter’s U.S. publisher Scholastic Inc. entered the graphic novel market by launching a new imprint, Graphix with a full color version of BONE: Out from Boneville, bringing the underground comic to a new audience and a new generation.
In 2007, DC Comics released Smith’s first non-creator owned work, SHAZAM! Monster Society of Evil, a four-part mini-series recreating a classic serial from comic’s Golden Age. Between projects, Smith spends much of his time on the international guest circuit promoting comics and the art of graphic novels.
Born and raised in the American mid-west, Jeff Smith learned about cartooning from comic strips, comic books, and watching animation on TV. In 1991, he launched a company called Cartoon Books to publish his comic book BONE, a comedy/adventure about three lost cousins from Boneville. Against all odds, the small company flourished, building a reputation for quality stories and artwork. Word of mouth, critical acclaim, and a string of major awards helped propel Cartoon Books and BONE to the forefront of the comic book industry.
In 1992, Jeff’s wife Vijaya Iyer joined the company as partner to handle publishing and distribution, licensing, and foreign language publications. In the Spring of 2005, Harry Potter’s U.S. publisher Scholastic Inc. entered the graphic novel market by launching a new imprint, Graphix with a full color version of BONE: Out from Boneville, bringing the underground comic to a new audience and a new generation.
In 2007, DC Comics released Smith’s first non-creator owned work, SHAZAM! Monster Society of Evil, a four-part mini-series recreating a classic serial from comic’s Golden Age. Between projects, Smith spends much of his time on the international guest circuit promoting comics and the art of graphic novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 3, 2023
A new kid-friendly volume of Bone. I guess there's nothing to complain about here. Silly stories, good artwork. I just always want Bone to have more a bite to it like the final few chapters of the main story. These seem more like books to get kids into Bone, not so much for us existing Bone fans.
Some great artwork by Jeff Smith, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, Matt Smith, and Scott Brown. Unfortunately I thought Stan Sakai's story was pretty boring - just about Rat Creatures trying to eat one of the forest creatures - a boar who's a bully to the other creatures.
Some great artwork by Jeff Smith, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, Matt Smith, and Scott Brown. Unfortunately I thought Stan Sakai's story was pretty boring - just about Rat Creatures trying to eat one of the forest creatures - a boar who's a bully to the other creatures.
September 6, 2023
My thoughts are pretty divided on this one. On one hand, I absolutely love the fact that it’s a small reunion with some well-beloved characters who I grew up reading about and loved. The frame narrative was great for the graphic novel and the highlight was by far the inclusion of the Bone: Coda now in full color! I also really liked the Big Johnson Bone story as well as the way the frame narrative concludes.
I wasn’t really that big of a fan of the other mini-sprites the characters tell. It felt pretty juvenile. I guess one could argue that this is a kids series, but I consider the original Bone graphic novels to be some great pieces of literature so I was a bit disappointed. Still though, this is different from something like the Quest for the Spark trilogy. I really feel like those books were meant to cash in on the Bone franchise, whereas this book does seem to come from a place of love, which I can appreciate.
Overall, if you’re a fan of the Bone series, and have read the original Tall Tales graphic novel, I’d say check this one out!
I wasn’t really that big of a fan of the other mini-sprites the characters tell. It felt pretty juvenile. I guess one could argue that this is a kids series, but I consider the original Bone graphic novels to be some great pieces of literature so I was a bit disappointed. Still though, this is different from something like the Quest for the Spark trilogy. I really feel like those books were meant to cash in on the Bone franchise, whereas this book does seem to come from a place of love, which I can appreciate.
Overall, if you’re a fan of the Bone series, and have read the original Tall Tales graphic novel, I’d say check this one out!
December 5, 2023
A framing sequence by Jeff Smith has Smiley Bone and his Bone Scouts -- Ringo, Bingo, and Todd -- joined by Fone Bone and Bartleby the rat creature for a night of stories around a campfire. The tall tale spun by Jeff Smith is really good, but the rest, written by Tom Sniegoski, are pretty worthless.
Coda ~ 4 stars ~
Taking place after the finale of the Bone series, the Bone cousins make their way through a desert on their way back to Boneville only to be blocked by a canyon and stalked by a vulture. Jeff Smith's humorous slapstick kicks the book off with its best story.
Night of the Quiche ~ 3 stars ~
We find out why the two stupid rat creatures are so obsessed with quiche in the main series. Helpful, but told flatly.
Riblet ~ 2 stars ~
This five-part story is a tedious retread of O. Henry's "The Ransom of Red Chief" that has the two stupid rat creatures experiencing nothing but regret as they try to eat the super annoying baby wild boar named Riblet that they've snatched for supper. What a waste of Stan Sakai art.
The Croc-O-Gator! ~ 2 stars ~
A raccoon and fox spin a scary lie to keep the other small forest animals away from a tasty berry patch they want to keep to themselves. Heavy-handed and obvious.
The Moon Goon in June ~ 2 stars ~
Big Johnson Bone (and how did Smith slip this highly phallic name into a children's series?) travels to the Moon to get his old girlfriend back but, in doing so, runs afoul of the King of the Moon. I could not care less about any of these characters, even with the little predictable twist at the end.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents:
• Frontispiece [featuring Big Johnson Bone]: Hangin' Out! / Scott Brown, illustrator
• Smiley and the Bone Scouts, featuring Bartleby and guest starring Fone Bone: Prologue and Interstitials / Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator
• Tall Tale #1, as told by Fone Bone: The Bone Cousins and Bartleby in "Coda" [reprinted from [book:Bone: Coda|30167755]] / Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator
• Tall Tale #2, as told by Bartleby: The 2 Stupid Rat Creatures in "Night of the Quiche" / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Matt Smith, illustrator
• Tall Tale #3, as told by Bartleby: "Riblet" / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Stan Sakai, illustrator
[ - Riblet, Part 1: A Little Pork Would Be Lovely, reprinted from [book:Bone #31|34376724]]
[ - Riblet, Part 2: Bringing Home the Bacon, reprinted from [book:Bone (1991) #32|164669847]]
[ - Riblet, Part 3: Fun & Games, reprinted from [book:Bone #33 Cartoon Books|164393084]]
[ - Riblet, Part 4: Losing One's Appetite, reprinted from [book:Bone #34|34376756]]
[ - Riblet, Part 5: Something Drastic, reprinted from [book:Bone #35|34376741]]
• Tall Tale #4, as told by Smiley Bone: "The Croc-O-Gator!" starring the Small Forest Mammals! / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Katie Cook, illustrator
• Tall Tale #5, as told by Todd: Big Johnson Bone in "The Moon Goon in June" / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Scott Brown, illustrator
• Illustration: Pi Day [featuring the Bone Cousins] / Jeff Smith & Vijaya Iyer, illustrators
• [About the Creators]
• Bone: Out from Boneville [Preview] / Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator
Coda ~ 4 stars ~
Taking place after the finale of the Bone series, the Bone cousins make their way through a desert on their way back to Boneville only to be blocked by a canyon and stalked by a vulture. Jeff Smith's humorous slapstick kicks the book off with its best story.
Night of the Quiche ~ 3 stars ~
We find out why the two stupid rat creatures are so obsessed with quiche in the main series. Helpful, but told flatly.
Riblet ~ 2 stars ~
This five-part story is a tedious retread of O. Henry's "The Ransom of Red Chief" that has the two stupid rat creatures experiencing nothing but regret as they try to eat the super annoying baby wild boar named Riblet that they've snatched for supper. What a waste of Stan Sakai art.
The Croc-O-Gator! ~ 2 stars ~
A raccoon and fox spin a scary lie to keep the other small forest animals away from a tasty berry patch they want to keep to themselves. Heavy-handed and obvious.
The Moon Goon in June ~ 2 stars ~
Big Johnson Bone (and how did Smith slip this highly phallic name into a children's series?) travels to the Moon to get his old girlfriend back but, in doing so, runs afoul of the King of the Moon. I could not care less about any of these characters, even with the little predictable twist at the end.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents:
• Frontispiece [featuring Big Johnson Bone]: Hangin' Out! / Scott Brown, illustrator
• Smiley and the Bone Scouts, featuring Bartleby and guest starring Fone Bone: Prologue and Interstitials / Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator
• Tall Tale #1, as told by Fone Bone: The Bone Cousins and Bartleby in "Coda" [reprinted from [book:Bone: Coda|30167755]] / Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator
• Tall Tale #2, as told by Bartleby: The 2 Stupid Rat Creatures in "Night of the Quiche" / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Matt Smith, illustrator
• Tall Tale #3, as told by Bartleby: "Riblet" / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Stan Sakai, illustrator
[ - Riblet, Part 1: A Little Pork Would Be Lovely, reprinted from [book:Bone #31|34376724]]
[ - Riblet, Part 2: Bringing Home the Bacon, reprinted from [book:Bone (1991) #32|164669847]]
[ - Riblet, Part 3: Fun & Games, reprinted from [book:Bone #33 Cartoon Books|164393084]]
[ - Riblet, Part 4: Losing One's Appetite, reprinted from [book:Bone #34|34376756]]
[ - Riblet, Part 5: Something Drastic, reprinted from [book:Bone #35|34376741]]
• Tall Tale #4, as told by Smiley Bone: "The Croc-O-Gator!" starring the Small Forest Mammals! / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Katie Cook, illustrator
• Tall Tale #5, as told by Todd: Big Johnson Bone in "The Moon Goon in June" / Tom Sniegoski, writer; Scott Brown, illustrator
• Illustration: Pi Day [featuring the Bone Cousins] / Jeff Smith & Vijaya Iyer, illustrators
• [About the Creators]
• Bone: Out from Boneville [Preview] / Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator
September 6, 2023
A light fluffy book, similar to the first Tall Tales, these inconsequential side stories read more like lost Carl Barks or Walt Kelly adventures. The highlight is a full length Stan Sakai illustrated Rat Creature farce, though the art is strong everywhere in this book!
August 23, 2023
There is something wonderful about reading a comic book, especially on a summer morning. If you haven't met Bone or it's been a while since you've read a Bone comic... this is definitely one to check out.
When a young group of scouts campout in a legendary landmark, Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, and Rat Creature are sure to spin a few campfire stories...
Excellent summertime read... and then retell... around the campfire,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
When a young group of scouts campout in a legendary landmark, Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, and Rat Creature are sure to spin a few campfire stories...
Excellent summertime read... and then retell... around the campfire,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
December 27, 2025
Smiley takes the kids camping again, joined by Phone Bone, and they tell stories. Collected here are the comic from Bone: Coda and the Rat Creatures versus Riblet story from Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails, among others. The Coda story, set immediately after the main series shows the Bone cousins travelling across the desert. It is completely unnecessary and adds nothing. We see the two rat creatures discover quiche. We get the rat creatures capture Riblet, a young boar, who they intend to eat, but turns out to be a lot of trouble. We get a story about the little animals the Bone cousins met before they encountered before the Rock Jaw adventure. And finally an adventure of Big Johnson Bone travelling to the moon after Gobblin' Gertie.
The stories which could have been important were weak. The Riblet one was way too long. The only story which was worth reading was the Big Johnson Bone one.
Why do the rat creatures call themselves rat creatures? Do they not have a real name for their species?
The stories which could have been important were weak. The Riblet one was way too long. The only story which was worth reading was the Big Johnson Bone one.
Why do the rat creatures call themselves rat creatures? Do they not have a real name for their species?
February 15, 2026
This book contains 5 tall tales from the Bone world. The first one (Coda) takes you straight back to the Bone series and is wonderful. I was so happy being back in that world. After that, however, the quality of the stories dropped dramatically. After Coda, the stories are not written by Jeff Smith and are not connected to the original Bone series and they are very unimpressive. Quite disappointing!
October 25, 2023
Sumt ágætt. Ég áttaði mig ekki á að þetta væri framhald.
August 27, 2023
I wanted more Jeff Smith but the other stories despite some beautiful Stan Sakai art felt underwhelming and un-Bonelike. It was okay but disappointing.
October 14, 2023
I’ve got this friend I made way back in fourth or fifth grade, who introduced me to Bone years later, and eventually I read the complete story in the One Volume Edition, and I’ve been collecting the further volumes ever since (kind of omitted the prose novels, but will probably have to correct that at some point). More Tall Tales includes a Scholastic color reprint of Jeff Smith’s Cartoon Books Coda from a few years back, in a much better context, plus a few more amusing shorts from a number of collaborators (Scott Brown’s art in the Big Johnson Bone entry is probably my favorite, but it was nice seeing the likes of Matt Smith, Katie Cook and Stan Sakai), proving all over again that Bone can shine without Smith (although his work is always welcome). Fans tend to forget that the grand fantasy was always only half the appeal, that Smith extended the legacy of his beloved Pogo, which now exists in pop culture almost solely through the work it inspired, and that’s the sheer cartoon pleasure of the witty banter and ridiculous characters inhabiting these tales.
December 31, 2023
It has been a long time for this follow-up to 2010’s Tall Tales: Bone…but it was worth the wait!
The book opens with an image by Scott Brown of Big Johnson Bone holding up 2 stupid rat creatures who are featured in one of the short stories. Then Smith writes and illustrates the prologue and intersitials between the stories, weaving the book into a narrative. The bulk of the book is delivered by Smith and Tom Sniegoski, who take turns writing the six tall tales that are told around the campfire by Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, Bartleby, and little cousin Todd. It is the artwork that truly sets this Bone book apart from all the others, as Smith invited four other graphic novel illustrators to illustrate four of the stories: Matt Smith, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, and Scott Brown. While their art styles are just slightly different from Smith’s, they flow smoothly from one to the next. Tom Gaadt adds cover to all but two of the stories. As always, the tales are full of action, fun, and lightness.
Highly Recommended for all fans of Bone, especially those in grades 3-7.
The book opens with an image by Scott Brown of Big Johnson Bone holding up 2 stupid rat creatures who are featured in one of the short stories. Then Smith writes and illustrates the prologue and intersitials between the stories, weaving the book into a narrative. The bulk of the book is delivered by Smith and Tom Sniegoski, who take turns writing the six tall tales that are told around the campfire by Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, Bartleby, and little cousin Todd. It is the artwork that truly sets this Bone book apart from all the others, as Smith invited four other graphic novel illustrators to illustrate four of the stories: Matt Smith, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, and Scott Brown. While their art styles are just slightly different from Smith’s, they flow smoothly from one to the next. Tom Gaadt adds cover to all but two of the stories. As always, the tales are full of action, fun, and lightness.
Highly Recommended for all fans of Bone, especially those in grades 3-7.
May 21, 2023
This is a completely new collection of tales from the writers who brought you Bone: Quest for the Spark book one (2009) and two, as well as the Bone graphic novel series, which started in 1991! I didn't realize there was a third novel of Quest for the Spark, but since it came out in 2013, I will probably not buy it now. (Although the paperback is still available through Follett.)
This series continues to be very popular, and I have to rebuy at least one book a year when someone loses a copy, so I hope it remains in print for a while.
I've read all of these back before 2011, so didn't remember as much as I should have. This is one of those series like MacHale's Pendragon or Nix's Mister Monday books that I just can't for the life of me remember. I'll definitely purchase this one, and the lines of readers waiting for it will be long!
This series continues to be very popular, and I have to rebuy at least one book a year when someone loses a copy, so I hope it remains in print for a while.
I've read all of these back before 2011, so didn't remember as much as I should have. This is one of those series like MacHale's Pendragon or Nix's Mister Monday books that I just can't for the life of me remember. I'll definitely purchase this one, and the lines of readers waiting for it will be long!
August 3, 2024
Far more kid-friendly than the already approachable original, this breezy collection of fun and silly stories is worth a read as a Bone fan simply to see the crew in action once again. However, it's not truly compelling or essential stuff, so fans expecting anything with the depth and intensity of Bone will be disappointed. Those who love it's rather silly (but charming) sense of humor will love it. I enjoyed it greatly but have to rate it properly.
January 26, 2025
A very silly collection of bone short stories. But I honestly really disliked it.
The best story in it was a reprint of Coda with a new skin in color. The second best story was about the origin of quiche and rat creatures which was only a handful of pages.
The rest of the book was forgettable and annoying. Unfortunately, this made the majority of the book.
The best story in it was a reprint of Coda with a new skin in color. The second best story was about the origin of quiche and rat creatures which was only a handful of pages.
The rest of the book was forgettable and annoying. Unfortunately, this made the majority of the book.
April 19, 2024
Smiley Bone and Fone Bone take the Bone Scouts camping and share some tall tale adventures from the Valley.
Very cute tale tales that fit well in the Bone universe. 4 stars for mid-grade graphic stories.
Very cute tale tales that fit well in the Bone universe. 4 stars for mid-grade graphic stories.
August 3, 2023
Very fun collection of stories, perfect for summer with fun camping/summer themes. It requires some knowledge of the bone universe.
October 9, 2023
All BONE content is amazing content. I would spend forever in this world.
October 16, 2023
It's a cute little read. I like how they answer some questions you have when reading through the actual series. I do not like the change in the drawings; it was very kid-like to me.
November 14, 2023
I don’t really read the Bone series for the comedy, so this little book of funnies isn’t my favorite— but the different illustrations are fun and Bartleby is adorable so hence three stars.
November 24, 2023
There's quiche, comrades.
December 30, 2023
Fun for the kids, but I wish Jeff Smith would use his talent to produce more material like the original Bone saga…
April 7, 2024
Exactly what it says on the box, some tall tales told by Bones, forest creatures and rat creatures.
I find I don't enjoy the Bone characters quite as much outside the context of the valley.
I find I don't enjoy the Bone characters quite as much outside the context of the valley.
March 13, 2025
I enjoyed the additional lore, but I wish this anthology had more to offer.
April 28, 2025
5 stars for Coda, an epilogue chapter that takes place after Crown of Horns. The rest of the short stories aren’t written by Jeff Smith, and while silly and entertaining, aren’t very memorable.
June 15, 2025
Lost its luster with the Riblett story. Still excited to see what the Quest for the Spark series is about though.
October 2, 2025
You always hope to recapture the magic of the original Bone with those Tall Tales, but it never quite manages to do it for us...
January 3, 2026
Lots of fun stories, more about the rat creatures and the Bones, finally one about Big Johnson Bone. I enjoyed this one more than the last.
January 16, 2026
The quiche plot is good, Riblet is not an adequate substitute for Vochko, and Bartleby is a good narrator.
May 25, 2025
More Bone tales! I'm so excited! Such a great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews