Customer Reviews

Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious Creatures That May or May Not Exist (Darby Creek Publishing)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am always on the prowl for books that will excite my eight-year-old sons, particularly if they don't have to do with underpants or wizards. With apologies to Dav Pilkey and J.K. Rowling, both of whom write fantastic books, I need a little variety. And so I was ecstatic to find TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS on the new non-fiction shelf in the library children's room. So ecstatic, in fact, that I kept the book hidden in my office until I had a chance to sit down and read it myself. It is fabulous, fabulous, fabulous (that's one for each of the book's three co-creators).

This meaty middle-grade non-fiction title takes readers on an adventure in cryptozoology. "Crypto-What?" asks the opening chapter title. Cryptozoology, "the study of and searching for legendary animals--called cryptids--to find out if there's any possibility that these mysterious animals people say they've seen really exist." From Bigfoot to the Loch Ness Monster to prehistoric cryptids you may never have heard of, this book tells readers what is true, what is not, and what scientists just can't be sure about.

In addition to being plain interesting, the book is designed well and is illustrated with a nice blend of photographs and drawings. The authors include a "Reality Index" to help readers tease hoaxes from reality as well as a thorough bibliography of books, articles and web sites for readers who want to continue their cryptid studies. I love that the authors had the courage to turn an objective eye to a fabulously interesting topic that happens to be fraught with doubt and disbelief. The result is a book that helps young readers to realize that all scientific investigation, cryptozoology included, requires a careful balance of skepticism and open-mindedness.

This is what Loren Coleman said about our book:

"CRYPTID is worthy of being in every children's library in the world. It is time for cryptozoology to be seen as the new frontier of learning it is, and Kelly Milner Halls's book is one I would highly recommend for kids."

Loren Coleman, the world's greatest living cryptozoologist and author of over 25 books, including "Becoming a Cryptozoologist."

This book is a gem for anyone interested in cryptozoology. And what kid isn't fascinated by tales of Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster and other such creatures that are shrouded in mystery and legend? In TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, Halls, Spears and Young have done a fine job of presenting the stories of various cryptids. A fun read!

Featuring a wide variety of creatures real and seemingly unreal, from the fascinating to the frightening, "Tales of the Cryptids" is a book any kid (even the old ones) with curiosity and a vivid imagination will enjoy.

Authors Kelly Milner Halls, Rick Spears and Roxyanne Young delve into the myths, the legends, the hoaxes, and the folk tales, as well as the scientific research, that make these mysteries fascinating. With a fine array of photographs, maps and drawings and lively text, the book is a page-turner from start to end.

"Tales of the Cryptids" is thought-provoking, and should prove to be a great stimulus to discussion and conversation, whether you're a believer in cryptids or not.

Tales of the Cryptids has all the elements that children find irresistible: intriguing jacket design; vivid illustrations--some downright creepy; and lively, engaging text. The book poses questions that will keep kids reading to find the answers. . ."Why haven't we ever found a Bigfoot body?" It's chock full of weird stuff--a sure kid pleaser!

I gave this book as a birthday present to my 10-year-old niece, and she LOVED it. She's now frequently quoting facts about bigfoot ("Did you know that's another name for sasquatch??") and the Loch Ness Monster ("That's a sauropod dinosaur!") and other cryptids she's learning about in this book. What really shocked me was when I heard her explaining to others what a cryptid was. A great birthday gift for a child who is curious about undiscovered animals and the mysteries surrounding them.

This book gives a quick overview of different mystery creatures and relates some brief experiences and eye-witness accounts. If you enjoy watching MonsterQuest, you will love this book. This non-fiction book truly sparks the imagination and taps the natural curiosty of the child in all of us. I especially like the rating system which gives each creature a score based on evidence, eye-witness accounts, historical data, etc. The authors give accounts of hoaxs as well. Though not necessarily a children's book, It is easy to read and filled with photos, drawings and other illustrations. I reccommend this title for children 8 and up. I know I was fascinated and I will be adding this book to my elementary school library.

I bought this book for my 10 year old nephew, who, despite all the super electronic gizmos competing for attention at Christmas, took this one up to bed Christmas Eve, and couldn't put it down. Neither could his father, or his 8 year old brother. And I read it before I gave it to him. Very well-researched and balanced with an enquiring approach to the whole subject of Cryptids. Many thanks to the authors for another excellent book that gets kids to unplug from the computer, read a book and get their brains in gear.

I bought this book for my son before he went to a literature festival where the author would be. He loves big foot and loch ness monster stories. He is very interested in Cryptids and this book was thoroughly enjoyed. The pictures are good and the book is sturdy. It's too bad it's not in Accelerated Reader then he would have loved it even more.

This book is a great start for people young and old who want to know the basics about crypto zoology.
It is written from an investigative stand point,giving the reader all of the BASIC knowledge one would need to know about BIGFOOT,THE LOCH NESS MONSTER and variouse other creatures, who may or may not have lived. Describing all of the mythe and the mystery behind some of the worlds most beloved and feared creatures,this art work packed book tells the reader about the creatures origins,sightings,charactor descriptions
and wheather or not they have been proven to be hoaxes.
This is more of a coffee table book than a great reading novel.
Great basic info.
One thing that makes this book different, is the fact that it highlights
animals such as the Northwestern Mexico's Onza,Tasmanian Tiger and the Giant Squid who were once thought to be a figment of ones imagination as well.