The Search for Vile Things: Volume One

by Jane Hammerslough, Marilyn Scott-Waters (Illustrator)

What if Lemony Snicket were nonfiction?

Vile Things is a series of science-based natural history books in which the reader will be transported around the world by the opinionated, eccentric, and insatiably inquisitive narrator, Ephemra Churlyshe. Ephemra's cast of relations include nephew Maldred, wee niece Nettle, creepily quiet cousin Rune, & accident-prone Tode. Imagine the Addams family riding on the Magic School Bus. Each title is a place-based "encyclopedia" filled with exotic and fascinating "curiosities," including animals, plants, insects, strange customs, odd history, geology, climate, diseases, and ancient artifacts.

Genres: Childrens

80 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2008

About the author

Jane Hammerslough is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a client-focused, goal-oriented approach grounded in trauma research and evidence-based practices. She works with individuals, couples, and families, helping clients explore life patterns, build connections, and address relationship challenges and estrangement. Her practice integrates modalities such as EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, Imago, and Gottman Method. Jane’s background includes research on PTSD and trauma among post-deployed veterans. Also a published author of 30 books and contributor to academic and media publications, she consults on parenting and family issues. She is licensed in New York, Florida, California, and Massachusetts.

Reviews

[LordSlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Search For Vile Things is an entertaining, informative book about a fictional band of adventurers, Ephemera Churlyshe, her niece and nephew Wee Nettle and Maldred, respectively, her cousin Rune, and her manservant Tode. Together they explore the East Indies and report on some of the vilest, most disgusting, most venomous, and very real things on earth, such as the malodorous yet delectable durian fruit, the venomous cone snail, and the deadly stonefish. Filled with engaging text and poems, beautiful illustrations and whimsical drawings, Vile Things is as entertaining as it is informative. I never knew rats have scent glands in their feet. Sometimes the most wonderful books to read as an adult are those intended for children. Vile Things is one such book.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun! It tells about some extremely unique specimens found in Indonesia and they are described in a very fun way, using some quirky fictional characters who are writing a travel log. Really, you can't believe the kinds of creatures and plants that exist in here! Smelly fruits, animals that can vomit their digestive system at an attacker, giant bees... a really fun read for a young child that mostly likes pictures, and even an older child that is old enough to understand the witty narrative. (and it was fun for me too!)

[Kyle.b · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cool. It tells you about things you never would have though could've existed in 1000 years. Things like a skull shaped jellyfish, or a combination of shark and a octapus. This book is really cool for a nonfiction book. You may not know what's in the world, so if not, read this book.