Rereading THE TERRIBLE CHURNADRYNE by Eleanor Cameron

Illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush

Tom and Jennifer are staying with their grandmother in the small northern California coastal town of Redwood Cove. Their grandmother’s friend, Mr. Looper, collects fossils and ancient artifacts, and is convinced that he once saw an ancient sea-going dinosaur in the ocean below the high hill of San Lorenzo, next to town. A few other people also think they saw something that could be the same huge creature, but no one else had a very good look because of the fog that often covers the hill.

Tom is determined to climb the hill at sunset and look for the monster, and Jennifer, while afraid, decides she has to go with him. On the way they meet Mrs. Larkin, who lives next to the hill, and she warns them to watch out for the Churnadryne. Jennifer and Tom decide that’s her name for the monster, and she knows more about it than she’s saying. On the hill, they do see something looming in the fog, a large creature with a long neck and tail. Is it the monster? They think so.

Back in town, the children tell Mr. Looper and other townsfolk, creating a sensation. The local paper prints an account, and an expedition is planned where Mr. Looper will be lowered on a cable to the cliff caves that can’t be accessed any other way, where he thinks the creature lives. It’s a dangerous plan, will it succeed?

A short book, but a satisfying read, where the true nature of the mysterious creature and its name are finally revealed. The illustrations are excellent. Recommended.

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