Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures by Kim Long (Author) and Nicole Miles (Illustrator)
Cryptids have existed for pretty much as long as we've had stories. They can be found across the globe whether submerged in water, burrowing in the ground, roaming a forest, or soaring in the sky. While cryptids are often scoffed at by the scientific community, author Kim Long is quick to remind folks that some fantastical sounding creatures turned out to be real.
Long breaks down the different environments where we might find cryptids. She succinctly conveys what a cryptid has been alleged to look like without casting judgment on those who claim to have seen one. Based on what has been described about each cryptid, Long then discusses scientific methods to track, observe, and otherwise study similar animals. Based on that information, she wraps up each cryptid's section with a plan for how we could go about tracking it.
This approach that combines eye witness accounts (flawed though they may be), folklore as well as other beliefs, and current science and technology is wonderfully thought-out and executed. Long's multifaceted outlook helps appeal to a range of interests and knowledge-bases. Long's approachable writing also makes room for readers to learn new things or emphasize knowledge they already have. I should note that while this book is clearly intended for a middle-grade audience, it reads well for adults as well.
Of course, I would be remiss not to mention Nicole Miles's art. Her work is playful, but also clearly conveys all of these alleged creatures. Her illustrations help break up the text while also making the text more approachable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would gift it to anyone who is even cryptid curious.
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