STORIES FOR BOYS BIG GUY BOOKS USE FRESH TECHNIQUES TO DRAW YOUNG READERS.

Byline: Chris J. Parker Correspondent

IT'S NEVER been easy getting young boys to read. Throughout history, the world has provided a litany of distractions, from bullfrog-filled creeks to stickball to PlayStation 2.

Now, Carlsbad-based Big Guy Books thinks it has created a book of distractions that will, in the end, get boys to read. Call it the Trojan Horse of children's literature, except that instead of a large wooden filly, the surprise is hidden in action-packed picture books that read like real-life comic books.

The literary attack is so stealthy, kids don't even know they're reading.

``They're awesome,'' says Anne Armstrong, area marketing manager for Borders bookstores in San Diego. ``Everybody is looking at these books - and buying them.''

Big Guy Books have done so well in San Diego Borders stores that they're being introduced in Los Angeles with a series of promotional appearances. The first local event is Friday at the Borders in Northridge. Similar events in Thousand Oaks, Valencia and Oxnard are planned over the next two months. Big Guy Books is the brainchild of Robert Gould, a graphic artist and photographer in San Diego, who wanted to publish books for boys 7 to 11 years old, one of the least well-read groups on the playground.

After forming the company in 1999, Gould developed a series of stories about a fictional group of kids who discover a time portal. These ``Time Soldiers,'' as the series is called, explore prehistoric jungles and pirate caves in the first three books. Additional books due later this year will feature Arthur before he becomes king and Robin Hood.

``I want to provide books and tools to get these kids learning to love reading,'' says Gould, 49, the father of two boys himself. ``I want to make a difference.''

The books certainly look different, combining real-life photography with digital illustrations. In one book, the kids - dressed in soldier fatigues and skateboarder helmets - run through an Amazon-like forest while being chased by a tyrannosaurus rex. In another, they're dodging cannonballs and swords. The stories meander around the book - literally - jumping from one corner of a page to another.

Gould says his books are more like movie story boards than comic books. And they're as expensive to produce, he says, because of all the actors and props that are required.

``There's lots of detail, there's a lot to look at,'' he says.

The first book in the series - ``Rex'' - was named the best picture book in children's science fiction in 2000. The Golden Duck Award is given annually by a panel of judges made up of teachers, librarians and parents who are fans of science fiction.

Last year, Big Guy Books signed a licensing agreement with Marvel Comics to produce similar books based on famous Marvel characters. The first book from that agreement - ``Spider-Man'' - got the attention of Armstrong, the Borders marketing director in San Diego, where the bookstore chain began selling Big Guy Books in the summer. They've quickly become one of the best sellers in the children's section, and Armstrong says it's not just boys who are reading and buying the books.

``They are geared toward older boys - but it's great to see the younger kids excited about them, too,'' she says.

The company is also developing an ``X-Men'' title for later this year with the blessing of Stan Lee, the legendary Marvel Comics creator. He's a fan of the company's first Marvel collaboration. ``It's one of the best original adaptations of Spidey I've ever seen,'' Lee said in a statement.

EVENTS

Upcoming Big Guy book-signing events at Borders bookstores:

Northridge: 7 p.m. Friday, 9301 Tampa Ave.; [phone].

Thousand Oaks: 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd.; [phone].

Valencia: 7 p.m. March 14, 24445 Town Center Drive; [phone].

Oxnard: 7 p.m. March 21, 241 W. Esplanade Drive; [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 3) no caption (Book covers)

Box:

EVENTS (see text)