Myth of the Rain Forest Monster

The Boxcar Children Creatures of Legend #4

by Thomas Girard (Illustrator), Thomas Girard (Illustrator), Dee Garretson (Contributor)

The Aldens are joining Dr. Iris Perez as she investigates legendary creatures around the world. In the last leg of the journey, the children travel to the Amazon Rain Forest. They love learning about all the different plants and animals they have never seen before. But is there really a creature in the forest that hasn't yet been discovered?

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Childrens, Chapter Books

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, we’ve zoomed through all four of the Creatures of Legend books (wish there were more) and I must say I was fairly impressed, overall. (The illustrations not withstanding. The Alden kids have been through SO many makeovers across decades and various spin-off series and this is not one of my favorites!) I appreciate that the focus is on scientific inquiry and evidence, yet allows room for the mysterious. I realize not all readers will appreciate that there is still a bit of the unexplained with these legendary creatures, but I kind of appreciated that, for example, some of the characters still wanted to believe there could be more out there than meets the eye, while others were against anything that hadn’t been absolutely proven. That said, I think it’s pretty clear the creatures are legends. What I think really shines through in each of these books is the idea that these legendary characters are meaningful because of the stories that humans created about them – that these legends served a purpose, whether it be to explain the unexplainable (perhaps hallucinating while at sea, imagining mermaids) or to keep curious children safe (don’t go out at night, the trolls might get you), or to protect areas from those who might wish to exploit in (don’t dare enter this part of the rainforest or the mapinguary will get you). Or that, perhaps, some of these legends were simply rumors blown out of proportion, embellished over time either for dramatic effect or because imperfections arising due to a of a long chain of retellings across people and miles (think of “telephone” only with explorers from distant lands returning home to tell of creatures they saw on their travels that, truly, must have seemed incredible to those who had never set foot out of their local area). We learn that stories are adapted to fit their environment. For example, those from forested Nordic countries settling in Iceland, where there are very few trees, bringing with them the legends of elves, but adapting the tales so that Icelandic elves live in rocks instead of trees. We learn that some stories might have been founded in truth that got embellished or distorted over time. For example, the mapinguary may have grown out of tales of the giant land sloth, which some humans encountered before it went extinct (or, did it?) We learn that “evidence” doesn’t always mean something is true (for example, the “mermaid skeletons” that are actually altered guitarfish skeletons; sailors would carve them to look like strange creatures of the sea and sell them as curiosities but many people believed they were real. Or that people may use props or camera tricks to make something appear that wasn’t really there, as in the case of Bigfoot sightings.) The first book about Bigfoot is the most like other Boxcar Children mysteries as it does involve some sleuthing, other kids as suspects, motives, red herrings, etc. The other three are more travel-adventure stories without an exact “mystery” other than trying to figure out if the creatures of legend are real. I thought the book about the elves was the weakest, but my son loved that one and said it tied for his favorite with the one about the sea creatures. I think my favorites were bigfoot and mapinguary. Overall, I do recommend these because it gets children's critical thinking skills going. There’s a sense of exploration that I loved – inviting discovery, valuing science, appreciating tradition, arming yourself with knowledge but also accepting that sometimes we don’t have all the answers.

[Adam Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so rare that a mass produced spin off series dares to do something different. But this volume actually does. While there is no dramatic unmasking of a villain faking sightings or the discovery of a real monster, there are a lot of good lessons for children to absorb, especially in these times. The Boxcar Children embody good scientific research, looking for evidence, not assuming outcomes, and corroborating all finds as they investigate sightings of the fabled mapinguary or possible ground sloths in the Brazilian rainforest. Even more amazingly, the book contains a frank discussion of colonialism and the abuse of indigenous folks by European colonizers, as the Boxcar Children learn about the brutal rubber trade. Amazing job and I hope there will be more!

[Cherish Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3☆ Got something out of, but wouldn’t read again)
I loved these books as a kid & I'm really enjoying reading through the series again. I really enjoyed The Boxcar Children Great Adventure mini series; however, I did not enjoy this mini series as much. I felt like the overarching story didn't make sense & I felt like the storyline struggled.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because of nostalgia and because it was set in the Amazon. After reading lost in the jungle earlier this year. Having the kids hang out with the obvious scammer at an isolated camp 🏕️ was not for me

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

On their last adventure of creatures of the legend, the Boxcar Children go to the Amazon Rainforest to experience if a creature is real.

[Larry Yonce · Rating 3 out of 5]

the legendary mapinguari is not the only thing that is elusive
...so is the truth, and it is up to the Aldens to expose a deception. Fun little adventure with a message. Audiobook has good voice acting and sound effects.

[Sarah Poss · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m so thankful we finished this little series, because my kids loved it but I found the characters annoying. Nothing wrong with the book, just annoying.