Cryptids and Other Creepy Creatures

by john-d-wright

Discover the stories behind the world's scariest cryptids, from the Loch Ness Monster to alligators in the New York sewers. A collection of the most unusual, scary, and exciting stories of cryptids from around the world. Includes more than 40 creepy creatures, each with full-color artwork and locator maps. Information boxes describe fascinating facts about each terrifying creature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Monsters, Ghosts, Reference

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7-year-old loves to watch a show called Monster Quest on YouTube. (Wikipedia tells me it was originally broadcast on the "History" Channel.



There's a lot of overlap between that show and this book. It cracked me up when he saw the picture of the Jersey Devil in the book and announced that it wasn't sufficiently realistic. Roight.

The book is divided up into categories:
Creatures from the Deep (including the Loch Ness Monster)
Yeti, Bigfoot, and other Giants
Goblins, Gremlins, and Goatman (the Jersey Devil apparently fits this category)
Wildcats, Birds, and Bats (including Chupacabra)
Ghosts and Ghouls
The Unexplained (Bermuda Triangle, Roswell, etc.)

Each entry gets a two page spread with a large picture on one page, text and smaller picture on the other. There's an explanation in normal size print, then additional info in smaller print, a "Where in the World?" box with a small map of where the creature has been spotted or events took place, and a "Did You Know?" section with exactly three bulleted "facts."

The pictures are all kind of cheesy and Photoshopped together and there's a fair amount of repetition between the explanation and "Did You Know?" sections. There are some scary elements, considering it's a book about monsters and ghosts, but it's kept to a PG level. The most horrifying part for me was having to explain to my son why a baby would be "unwanted" to the extent that its mother would throw it off of "Cry Baby Bridge."

As an introduction to the unexplained for kids who are interested, this does well. I think it's worth the $8.99 Scholastic apparently charged, or, in my case, a PaperBackSwap credit.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrible graphics/illustrations and some of the information was conflicting at times, and often left out more of the story.

[Hallie Huffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can never get those moments back. This book has left me bitter and ashamed.

[Brooke]

i like the goat man it looks like a zodiac sign for january and i am born on january

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The graphic design was not the best (could at least try to make the photos look real) but the kiddos won't care. And the descriptions for each strange creature or urban legend were decently done. For what it is ... OK.

[Lincoln · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was pretty creepy and i really enjoyed it.

[Dorion Zambuchini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crybaby bridge

[WKWyverns]

4K got this first.

[Lory Blanco (areaderheart) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read :)