Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide to 50 Fascinating Beasts

by Kelly Milner Halls, Rick Spears (Illustrator)

Explore the fascinating world of cryptozoology with this fun guide, filled with eyewitness accounts of 50 cryptids found throughout the world, some of which have been proven real.

Cryptozoology is the study of mysterious creatures that fall between the realm of real and imaginary on the scientific spectrum. The Cryptid Creature Field Guide offers a closer look at fifty of these amazing creatures, examining the best possible evidence for each, including scientific papers, magazine and newspaper articles, and credible eyewitness accounts.

The fifty cryptids are arranged in order alphabetically, and in addition to speculative illustrations, include details like when they were first reported, whether they are terrestrial, aerial, or aquatic, and each have a reality rating of 1 to 6, in which 1 means that the cryptid has been confirmed as a hoax, and 6 means the cryptid has been proven as real.

This page-turning guide will inspire curious readers to investigate more on their own, and maybe even help to prove if a cryptid is a hoax or is real.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cryptozoology, Cryptids, Childrens, Folklore, Middle Grade

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

Kelly Milner Halls specializes in high interest, well researched nonfiction for young readers. Her books include TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO, IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH and ALIEN INVESTIGATION. But she is also an avid YA fan and loves realistic fiction including GIRL MEETS BOY, the anthology she edited for Chronicle (January 2012). Her first short story is in that anthology. She hopes it won't be her last. When she's not writing or doing school visits, she works for her friend and mentor Chris Crutcher in Spokane.

Reviews

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who can pass up an adorably illustrated book about cryptids? Not this gal, this one was everything I wanted it to be! If you love the idea of unknown creatures being about the world, this is for you!

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining book about those many «mythical» creatures or creatures that might exist. Intriguing, some are truly mythic, some might be real, who knows, but it was just a fun read to learn about those creatures. It was also intriguing to see how some pop up in many different culture/country, on different name, but more or less always the same creature. I enjoy it, without taking it too seriously!

[Dev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley

actual rating: 3.5

This was a decent enough book about different kinds of cryptids, but I personally felt like the author was maybe a bit too lenient with the level of 'this might actually exist' she attributed to some of the creatures. I mean I can buy that there might be giant octopus in the ocean or in some remote forest where no one lives, but if one of the hundred different Bigfoot equivalents was actually just chilling in your local forest I feel like someone would have found one by now. Still, she is good about presenting the facts and accounts in a scientific manner and mentions when cryptids are provens hoaxes. I think it would be a good book for children who are interested in cryptids or even just to have as a coffee table book for people to browse.

[Tara Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My obsessed-with-cryptids 10 year old self is DANCING. Super cute illustrations, stories about alleged sightings, and a "reality" scale describing how likely each cryptid is likely to actually be a thing, from confirmed hoaxes, to creatures that used to be considered cryptids but have now been confirmed species.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations, especially the baby versions of each creature. It's fascinating how so many cultures around the world have either a hairy large humanoid like a bigfoot or a mysterious water monster like loch ness.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hand-friendly manual will entice even the most reluctant reader to dive into and delve deeply into the world of the weird. Author Halls is an established expert on the subject of unexplained/unconfirmed sightings and claims of life forms that have yet to be established in science. Her research involves travel, interviews, analysis of conflicting reports, and examination of artifacts and settings. Over time her reputation for approaching claims of unexplained lifeforms elevates her writing to a level of mentorship for others in the fine line involved in describing and defining the range of credibility and the reasons for it in each claim.
Kids (and adults?) struggle to separate fact from fiction, even when hard data and direct observation are available. In cases of claims and hoaxes, these examinations invite readers to identify standards of proof, to question claims without cynicism, and to generate hypotheses and possible research to pursue further understanding.
The creature-claims included here are classified by types, and added content is threaded throughout with individual pages of related subject matter, from cartoons to museums to rewards for hard evidence. Hall's website (and prior titles) provide even further deep explorations of unknown and unexplored subjects for investigation. Her school and visits and presentations are consistently a hit with audiences of any age, but especially with the kids who have struggled to connect with more typical topics and genre. I urge you to check this out and share it with kids who know who need a portal to potential!

[Blaine Riesberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snallygaster? Mothman? These are some deeper criptid cuts. The bestiary is full of fun little stories, reality rankings, and illustrations of the monsters as adults and cute wee beasties. I know a young, young me would've loved this book and have it checked out from the library as long as I could keep it. Also there are ads for some reason.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up. This book lost validity for me when it claimed bigfoot was 5 stars, or likely to soon be proven true. But I did enjoy the short blurbs about cryptids and the possible explanations they gave for many of them. I also feel deeply invested in Thylacines now.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drawings in this are adorable and I really like that there is a rating system for how likely the existence of each cryptid is based on the evidence so far. Especially as a book for kids, these two things make it very accessible and model how to assess information and sources without taking all the fun and mystery out of life.
I do wish that they included some of the photos or drawings referenced as evidence, but sticking with cutesy drawing probably cuts down on kids getting too freaked out by the idea of monsters.

[OjoAusana · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for hoenst review* I was very excited about this book, until I started reading it. This in theory is an awesome book but the content in this book is from my understanding containing a lot of things that aren't "cryptid creatures". This book has a lot of information and a lot of creatures though, interesting read even if it wasn't really my cup of tea.

[Konner McIntyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It could’ve included more cryptids and the illustrations are either really good or just sort of childish. No offense to the artist, I’d just rather have grisly, scary artwork for cryptids than images of cryptids that resemble Pokémon or something other. Still a fun book, especially for younger kids and stuff.

[Joseph Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people sneer at cryptozoology, the study of animals in that liminal space between the completely mythic and the taxonomized, and with good reason. Plenty of giants and monsters have been exposed as frauds, built by sharp hustlers intent on parting hayseed marks from their money. And yet some animals whose existence was once doubted have actually gone on to become confirmed discoveries.
The drawings and descriptions of the giant squid from antiquity don’t quite match up with the ones we’ve actually found, but in the early 20th century a living one was observed. And the giant squid is not the only animal to have been rescued from the apocryphal and proven to be real. Supposedly extinct fish like the coelacanth still actually survive (albeit in significantly diminished numbers.) Ditto for the reclusive and completely arboreal isothrix, who spends so much time in the trees that he managed to avoid even being photographed for many years.
Cryptid Creatures takes the science of cryptozoology seriously, but it also has fun with the more ridiculous proven hoaxes, the haints and rumors, kobolds and tommyknockers. There’s something endearing about not calling b.s. on those who get a kick out of thinking that maybe they saw something otherworldly in the woods. That it wasn’t just the high-beams blinding them or the booze talking when they encountered that flying griffin or stinking man-ape.
Each entry in the book is short, featuring detailed sketches (not drawn to scale) by the talented Rick Spears. “Reality Ratings,” are given on a scale of one to six stars, with 1 being for proven hoaxes (like Plinth Down Man), and six for those that actually exist. The appendix at the end of the book gives the reader an indication of the common links among the various myths dispersed throughout the world. There seems to be a primal drive encoded in every civilization to fully imagine those creatures that have only once or twice been glimpsed by skittish hunting parties. Only a handful of the beasties mentioned there are actually covered in this book, and there could easily be a couple more volumes to compliment this one. Being an Ohio native, I personally would like to know more about the “Grass Man” and the “Melon Heads” (who may have just been undernourished hydrocephalics.) The glossary at the end of the book is hardly necessary (unless English isn’t your first language or you didn’t make it through the first year of high school.) Then again, considering this thing would no doubt prove popular with kids, maybe it’s best to leave the glossary in.
In any case, Cryptid Creatures is a fun, not-altogether-serious yet-not-completely-farcical journey to the Fortean edges of cultural anthropology. The stories we tell ourselves matter, even if (or especially) if those stories have no basis in reality. Recommended, especially for those aforementioned drawings that help bring the creatures to life.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide, written by Kelly Milner Halls and illustrated by Rick Spears, is currently scheduled for release on September 24 2019. Cryptozoology is the study of mysterious creatures that fall between the realm of real and imaginary on the scientific spectrum. Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide offers a closer look at fifty of these amazing creatures, examining the best possible evidence for each, including scientific papers, magazine and newspaper articles, and credible eyewitness accounts. These fifty cryptids are arranged in order alphabetically, and in addition to speculative illustrations, include details like when they were first reported, whether they are terrestrial, aerial, or aquatic, and each have a reality rating of 1 to 6, in which 1 means that the cryptid has been confirmed as a hoax, and 6 means the cryptid has been proven as real. This guide might inspire curious readers to investigate more on their own, and maybe even help to prove if a cryptid is a hoax or is real.


Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide is a book that I think will be in my house hold as soon as it is released in print, as my children and I love this sort of thing. This book takes a look at some common (and some less known) creatures of legend and lore. I like that fossil evidence, eye witness accounts, and scientific research is used to really look at whether these cryptid creatures could be real, or could have been in the past. I also like that the probability of these creatures existing is looked at logically to try to understand obstacles and dangers they would face, or could cause, in the areas they are expected to live. I also like how towards the end of the book the creatures are listed again, but by creature types rather than in alphabetical order. It is interesting to see how common some cryptid types are across cultures, while others are very specific to a particular region. The endpages with additional reading will help readers further explore the subject, and information on the creatures that interest them most. I think this is a well done collection, and it will please many interested readers from a variety of ages and reading levels.

Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide is an interesting and well researched look at fifty creatures in cryptozoology. While this only touches the surface of such creatures and legends, it is a great resource and read for those interested.

[Kal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books where it popped on my Amazon as something their algorithm thought I'd enjoy. And, it wasn't wrong. I've loved cryptid stories for a long time. Whether it's something completely out there that probably doesn't actually exist to those that have actually been proven as real at some point. So this sat on my Wishlist for a bit, until I finally added it to a purchase because I always end up doing that.

Since then it's done what so many books have done, sat on my shelf. But, I read the United States of Cryptids earlier this year. Followed by a book about the Mothman, and now during Spooky Season I figured, there wasn't a better time.

It actually proved a great idea. This was absolutely adorable, and the perfect way to unwind after two long work weeks. Cryptid Creatures covers the whole globe with stories of monsters and creatures alike. Each new creature (or monster) gets a factoid and a small story about sighting, discoveries, and how it was brought into the public light.

What I loved the most about this book was the mix of creatures that definitely don't exist, but have a fantastic story behind them, to have creatures science has proven to do, or did at one point, exist. So, there is that nice mix of fantasy with my science. And, fear because I have a healthy fear of the ocean. It is big, mostly unexplored, and full of things that could, and probably would eat me.

Anyway, not only is this book jammed packed with fun information about all these creatures but it's illustrated as well. I'm not just talking that each creature gets an illustration because they do. But we get a look at their skull, occasionally the teeth they could eat me with, but also what a baby one would like. A couple was absolutely terrifying both big and small.

But, baby Mothman was adorable! Like kind of want to make it into a tattoo, adorable!

That kind of ties into my next positive about this book. It's a book for all ages. I don't think there was anything too scary, but it would be easy to skip some of the creatures your young reader wasn't ready for. But also learn about some news from other parts of the world.

I thought it was cute and an enjoyable read. I read it over the course of a week after work before bed. Which was a great way to unwind from my day. Though I'd love to thank this author for unlocking a new fear for me. Could have gone my whole life without knowing the phrase Drop Bear...

Thanks for that.

[Rosi Hollinbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cryptozoology, as defined in the book, is the study of mysterious creatures that fall between the realm of real and imaginary on the scientific spectrum. Who among us hasn’t wondered if there must not be a basis in fact for Bigfoot or the Chupacabra or the Yeti? The reports of sightings over many years of some of the creatures listed in this book can be pretty convincing or, at least, leave us scratching our collective heads. Each of the fifty creatures covered in this book has a section that lists when and where it was first reported, what kind of cryptid type it is, and its reality rating from one star (confirmed as a hoax) to six stars (has been proven real). This is followed by an excellent write-up about the creature with an interesting factoid and eye-witness accounts. Each section also has several drawings by illustrator Rick Spears that show what the creature would look like as an adult, sometimes as a juvenile, or what its skull might look like, or other things. In addition, there is back-matter that includes an extensive list of cryptid creatures around the world, a list of further readings, a good glossary, and an excellent index. What really shines through in this book is the extensive research that has been done and the journalistic style of reporting information without the authorial intrusion of the writer’s opinion, and yet the writing is lively and fun. This is the kind of book middle-graders, perhaps boys more than girls, will gobble up, and it is likely to turn reluctant readers into voracious readers. Kelly’s books often have that effect on kids. I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book for anyone with a Fortean bent – anybody who likes the hairs on the backs of their neck raised in a gentle way by scientific debate and folkloric hearsay can expect such from this. It lists a whole host of mysterious animal sightings, from all over the world, and discusses in just a few succinct paragraphs what might actually have been seen, who can be taken seriously, and so on. (Just how many of these sightings from the druggy '70s can we accept?!) So we get chupacabras, gigantic shark-dwarfing centipedes from the seas off Vietnam, and a whole host more. The art is sterling stuff, too – always trying to show every animal in dramatic pose, but also presenting an image of their adult skull and them as a baby, just in case we get a field encounter of our own. Only rarely does the captioning doubt the truth of these imaginings, which aids to the sense that this is just a guide to some esoteric critters we need to know more about. Well, we have found the coelacanth and others in here to be real since they were first thought extinct or legendary – who's to say about some of the rest? For those with a knowledge of this stuff, this might be a little on the slight side at times, but I really did like it, and it has a global scope to put many other such publications to shame. A strong four stars.

[Pete Barell · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

If I was a kid, I'd be obsessed with this book. It's a very concise listing of cryptid creatures from around the world that, instead of just providing folky pseudo-science, actually makes efforts to question the level of validity that these things exist. Information includes first discovery year, location, the type (like fish-like) and the reality rating. The latter is explained a the beginning, with the higher amount of the maximum six stars meaning there is a lot of evidence or the creature (such as the coelacanth) have been flat-out proven real. One-star creatures have been completely debunked, two stars have slim evidence, etc. The illustrations are perhaps the biggest complaint I have, as they generally follow a simple formula. There is a sketch of an adult creature, a juvenile version and an imagining of what the skull would look like for each one. It is passable, but I would have preferred more variety, like one case in which we see Bigfoot rummaging through camper food. Overall, I think this a great book that would be a good middle ground between flat out telling someone "no they don't exist" and explaining levels of evidence, theories and real life examples.

[Octopodey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really enjoyable. I appreciate the artwork, the "reality rating," the pronunciation guide, and the factoids and the interesting asides about cryptid-related things. I like the inclusion of straight-up hoaxes and the explanations of them. I think this would be a great book to have at home to dip in and out of vs. a straight read-through, although it would be fine for that too if it's your jam.

There is an appendix with cryptids sorted by type; I would have liked another with cryptids sorted by region (although region is mentioned next to the cryptid in the existing appendix). There is a "Read More About It" section with further information, although specific sources aren't cited in the text. There is a glossary.

I received an electronic ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book for kids, on an interesting subject. What kid isn't intrigued by mysterious creatures like Bigfoot, Nessie, and so many others? This handy guide will give the kiddos a good run-down of cryptids, including a reality rating system, with one star denoting a proven hoax (like Piltdown Man), 6 stars a creature that's been proven real (like the coelacanth), and the varying degrees of likelihood in between. Each creatures gets a few sketches, done field notebook-style, showing an adult, a juvenile, and a skull. The information on each creature includes where it's found, when it was first sited, eyewitness accounts, etc. This would be a fun addition to any child's book collection, and will most likely be added to my nephews' library when they get a little older.

#CryptidCreatures #NetGalley

[Reshamad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cryptozoology at its best. This chapter book non fiction book introduces middle graders to an interesting topic of looking for mythological creatures like big foot and yeti and trying to find facts and evidence of where these tales came from. Are these really real? What evidence can prove or disprove of their existence? Or did they just go extinct? The author gives us 50 such examples with a "reality" rating based on what science / scientists in the field have been able to uncover.
Fascinating to say the least, but also super fun for those who enjoy uncovering mysteries!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun encyclopedic listing of cryptids. Rick Spears illustrations are fun, but the text references existing photos and plaster casts, etc. of a number of the creatures and I wished these photos had been included in the book. One brilliant part of the illustrations is the inclusion of baby or toddler or adolescent versions of the creatures--these pictures are so adorable and cuddly that they balance the sometimes scary written encounters with the cryptids, making it a great book for young readers.

[Rebecca Batley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, engaging book about many mythical or semi mythical creatures that may or may not exist. It is ideal for children giving a overview of the cultures and locations to which these creatures may belong.
The images are simple and the book doesn’t take itself too seriously and for that reason my son found to a little too ‘young’ for him. This would however be an ideal introduction to the world of mythical beasts for younger readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well written book on Cryptids! This book is written as a field guid to Cryptozoology and is easy to read and understand. The art work is well done and makes it real interesting to the young kids. Loved the information that is given for each of the different cryptids where and when seen whether they were found to be real or just speculation plus all sorts of fun facts. If you have a child or an adult interested in this subject this is a wonderful one to have.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I’d had this when I was a teen, I’d have been all over it. There were some great things in it and the illustrations are great but it definitely felt more aimed towards early teens who might need convincing cryptids are cool. Like, I already know they’re cool. Some parts also felt like they needed to fill a word count but I did enjoy it overall and will definitely revisit it.

[Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that there were many cryptids and also many that were previously identified as cryptids. I definitely adored the artwork, especially of what the juvenile cryptids would look like.
I think this book is good if you just want simple descriptions of the cryptids or are just beginning to get into cryptozoology.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written terribly, distractingly so. The illustrations were adorable, though. And I would still recommend this to kids, I think they would really enjoy it. The amount of cryptids included is admirable.

[Douglas Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly fun book. I found a few entries I was unfamiliar with and I enjoyed the illustrations quite a bit. There's not a whole lot of information, but considering it's for children it's about what I was expecting.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very scientific book about things that bump in the night. If you are interested in chupacabra and babadook, this would be your book.

[Michelle Glatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewing this book for School Library Connection. It's one I'll add to my middle school collection.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know there were so many different cultures with legends of a Big Foot-like creature o: