Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious Creatures That May or May Not Exist

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Editorial Reviews

VOYA - Beth Gallaway
Yeti, Yowie, or Sasquatch-the elusive North American ape called by any other name probably smells as . . . gamey? The authors indulge their fascination with legendary animals in this fact-packed, highly visual volume about Bigfoot, Nessie, Chupacabras, and Mokele. Well organized into four categories, each section begins with a shiver-inducing "Imagine . . ." that segues into a second-person point of view premise that an iconic cryptid is real. Each creature gets a quick fact box that covers names, sightings, height, weight, and characteristics. Notable scientists share their observations and research, and the journalistic-style interviews with credible experts provide depth and authority. Maps abound. The images are plentiful and run the gamut of artist's models and renditions to photographs. The preface states that the authors hope readers approach the book with a healthy dose of skepticism. Hoaxes are prevalent, but refutes of faked evidence are also provided, and they are quick to point when authenticity is dubious, balancing the coelacanth (once thought extinct before live specimens were discovered) with the feejee mermaid (a ruse perpetrated by P. T. Barnum in the mid-1800s). A "Reality Index" at the end of the book weighs all the data-or lack thereof-to verify and debunk each cryptid discussed. Regional differences of similarly evolved beasts, historical accounts, scientific principles, and excellent storytelling make this account a cross-curriculum title. Nearly every article cited is available free online. It is a fascinating book to browse or devour in one sitting.
Children's Literature - Naomi Williamson
The authors of this Junior Library Guild selection have all been interested in the mysterious and the imagination since their childhood. They all remember strange creatures that lurked in the "gloom of night" that both frightened and intrigued them. As Young says, "Our stories are sacred things. They define us as human beings and teach us how we're supposed to fit into the world. But sometimes we find pieces that don't quite fit, and that's when things get really, really interesting." This book provides the history behind the study of cryptids, or the study of "animals that may or may not be real." The authors provide both supported and unsupported tales, including information about these unusual animals based on scientific facts, pictures, and tales or stories of sightings. Discussion of the more famous cryptids include: Bigfoot (Yeti, Swamp Ape, Sasquatch, etc); the Loch Ness Monster and other sea serpents; the Mokele-mbembe (and other dinosaur- like animals); cryptic mammals like the Amazonian Mapinguari, the North American hyena, and the Goat Sucker or Chupacabras. The "Cryptid Close-Up" provides the name, other names, sighting locations, length, weight, and physical characteristics. Illustrations and pictures of a cryptid, as well as drawings or pictures of actual animals, are included to give the reader an idea of how a cryptid may look. Map inserts show where these animals have been sighted. Readers will enjoy the "Imagine…" introductions to the different types of cryptids that paint a picture of how it might feel to hear or see one of these strange creatures. They will also appreciate the well written descriptions and history of the various animals that are or may be supportedby expert testimonies and scientific discovery. The authors also point out that in many instances no proof exists to support the theories of some cryptids. The "Cryptodictionary," a listing of the "mysterious creatures that may or may not exist," includes a reality index that labels verified animals with five bullets, while those with one bullet are a verified hoax. Those in between are animals about whom stories have been told but may never have been sighted or had numerous sightings and have no scientific verification. A bibliography of books, articles, interviews, and web sites will provide the interested reader with a wealth of information on this topic.
School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-Most kids love monsters, and Halls, Spears, and Young obviously had a grand time pulling up creepy critters to feed readers' fertile imaginations. From old big leaguers like Bigfoot and his kin, and Nessie and her ilk, they pop down to the minors with Mokele-mbembe and Olitu, and on into the bush leagues with the Bunyip and the Caddy. To spice up the roster, the authors provide "found" information on former cryptids such as the coelacanth and the Chacoan peccary, and data on pure hoaxes like the Piltdown Man and the Cardiff Giant. Pure scientists will bridle at cryptozoology passing itself off as anything but a pseudoscience, but readers will scramble to find data on such eerie apparitions as the Chupacabra and the Mongolian Death Worm. The conversational text makes for fun reading, and a plethora of pictures (photos and drawings in both color and black and white) will prove enticing. A cryptidictionary provides a full roster of "mysterious creatures that may or may not exist" in tidy alphabetical order, complete with a "reality index" rating for each one. For a personal reality check after all this engaging hoopla, try Sally M. Walker's super Fossil Fish Found Alive (Carolrhoda, 2002), Richard Ellis's readable The Search for the Giant Squid (Lyons, 1998), and Kathy Darling's exciting Komodo Dragon on Location (Lothrop, 1997), or, for a truly icky experience, Christopher Maynard's Micromonsters (DK, 1999), which deals with human parasites (not for the squeamish!).-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
So do they exist, or don't they? Written for readers willing to keep open minds, this populous gallery of rare creatures, locally prominent monsters and possible survivors from prehistory fills readers in on the evidence for Bigfoot, Nessie, Champ and the lesser-known likes of the giant anaconda, the flying Kongamato (evocatively translated as "overwhelmer of boats") and the blood-sucking Chupacabra. It also introduces such confirmed discoveries as the giant squid, the coelacanth and the Chacoan peccary. Interspersing interviews with scientists and even special effects artists, the authors cover sightings worldwide and down through history, present an array of speculative explanations, sum up with a large "Cryptidictionary" that includes exposed hoaxes, and close with a rich list of relevant web sites and other resources. Pictures of reconstructed models, plus plenty of small watercolor and pencil sketches from Spears, flesh out a scant assortment of blurry photos. Despite occasional stumbles-the authors can't seem to agree on just how many times the "Skunk Ape" has been sighted in the Southeastern U.S.-a delight for casual browsers and for would-be cryptozoologists alike. (Nonfiction. 8-11)Junior Library Guild selection
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781581960495
  • Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 6/28/2006
  • Pages: 64
  • Sales rank: 208,936
  • Age range: 10 - 12 Years
  • Product dimensions: 11.10 (w) x 9.40 (h) x 0.50 (d)

Customer Reviews

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Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 2, 2009

    Another great book by Kelly Milner Halls!

    Our school was fortunate enough to have the author of this book visit. Not only was her presentation fun and educational, her books are devoured by students. They love the topics and read the books over and over.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 30, 2009

    For children of all ages who love monsters!

    A favorite in elementary school libraries.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted November 10, 2010

    WOW!

    The introduction tells us about the Yeti, Yowie, Skunkape, or sasquatch also known as bigfoot. This 7-10 feet tall creature is like a man, it has a bypedal-like walk similar to a human's.There are over a thousand sightings a years in almost all over the world. The bigfoot in the Himalayas in India is the Abominable Snowman, or the Yeti. This creature is immune to the cold. That is why it lives in the mountains. The Yowie is the bigfoot of Australia. People says it carries a large stick with it. The Skunkape is the bigfoot of the Everglands of Florida. It gives off a stench the combination of manure, rotten eggs, and trash. The sasquatch is just a plain bigfoot, but shy.The description tells us about the sasquatches. They are very tall, hairy, it howls, the fur is brownish black. Some people claim to see a milk-pale fur bigfoot, an albino. There is a larger bigfoot that stands 10-13 feet tall. People call it the Giganthocus Blacki for its humongus size. It clearly lives in Asia. Some people camplain that a bigfoot body is never found. Some people say bigfoot's fur is a buffalo's.If you like weird an mysterious things, check out this book.

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    Posted April 25, 2010

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    Posted October 5, 2012

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