What Do We Know About the Kraken?

What Do We Know About?

by Ben Hubbard, Who H.Q.

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Is this celebrated sea creature fact, myth, or legend? Find out all we know about the Kraken and its history in this exciting book!

Presenting What Do We Know About?, an exciting new extension the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!

Sea monsters have a long history in lore and literature. Homer first wrote of them in 700 BCE. What Do We Know About the Kraken? lets curious young readers explore what we actually know about this mysterious sea monster's long history. Dive into the facts behind this massive squid-like creature that was first described using the word "Kraken" in the beginning of the eighteenth century. For centuries, sailors have feared the Kraken, which they believe lurks in the ocean, waiting to pull ships beneath the surface with its powerful tentacles. Several famous writers such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Jules Verne have described monsters inspired by the Kraken. In this book, readers will also learn about the real creature that might have inspired the Kraken -- the giant squid.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Science

112 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2024

About the author

Ben Hubbard is an accomplished non-fiction author of books for children and adults. He has more than 160 titles to his name and has written on everything from Space, the Samurai and Sharks, to Poison, Pets and the Plantagenets. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and can be found in bookshops, libraries and schools around the world.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t resist. The Kraken was a mystical sea creature that probably were tall tales after sailors spotted large squids. Large squids 40-50 feet long have reportedly been found multiple times. Krakens were blamed for sinking ships in the 1800s with their size and long tentacles, but a large squid could not sink a ship. No one has any proof of a Kraken.

[Jacob]

A good history of the Octopus-like KRAKEN!

[Meagan Grauel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting information presented in a easy to read, bite sized manner. I enjoyed reading this and learning the origins of the Kraken, even if it was meant for kids to read. It was really interesting and easy to digest the information. I would say this is perfect for elementary aged kids, especially 2-4th grades. But even if you aren't in elementary school and wanted to learn a little bit, I would still say it's worth it!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

An examination of the earliest appearances of stories about sea monsters, most specifically the kraken. The book then explores what real creature might have sparked these stories, such as perhaps the giant squid and how our knowledge of the giant and colossal squids have grown in the past couple hundred years.

This was the best What Do We Know about... book I've read so far. I like how it examined the relationship between sea monster stories/myths and our lack of knowledge about what lives in the worlds' oceans, and how discoveries about giant squids and colossal squids seem to explain where many of the kraken stories may have come from. Hand this to curious readers, random fact sponges, and sea monster fans.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Fictional stories of sea monster attacks wrecking ships and drowning sailors are mentioned. Whale/squid battles are recounted and the injuries they can leave on each other.
Ethnic diversity: Kraken-like tales from around the globe are related. Scientists from Europe, Japan, and New Zealand are highlighted.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Inspections of dead squid are described and some illustrations are included.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The WhoHQ books give young readers concise, objective insights into subjects throughout history, explaining the sources of mythology without talking down to their audience. This book is no exception, and differentiates octopuses from squid, examines pop culture impacts of the myth of the Kraken, and takes readers around the world from the Mediterranean to Antarctica to Canada to New Zealand. Utterly fascinating imagination fuel.

[David Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating

I like this short book and it filled in a lot of gaps about sea creatures. It is fascinating to think we only know about 10% of the ocean. This book showed scientists and authors who correctly and incorrectly identified the creatures of the deep. Bring on more books 📚

[Mila B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book but what is Newfoundland Canada hiding since 1738 through the there has been attacks and recover said the Kraken I highly recommend this book if you love crooked and you should go visit and Newfoundland Canada if you like it

[Elexndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library borrow

[Natalie Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I said I would read one of these. Does have a lot of info. Not my cup of tea

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Bookwormgyrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book about the mysterious Kraken 4.0 Folios

[Sylvia "Chivy" · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite, but it was interesting

[PixieART · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative about the legend of the kraken. And the real animal it is. 🤫 No spoilers. 🌊🐙🦑🐋🪸
Recommend for kids 8 or older.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! This was an interesting book. These books are so great for children. Can't wait to read more!

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that lets explore what we actually know about this mysterious sea monster's long history.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my daughter and was pleasantly surprised by how interesting and well-researched this was. Recommended.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my students will enjoy this one.