Monsters

Gr 3-4-No matter how many monster books there are, there is always room for one more. This is especially true if the format is as appealing as this one. Five strange creatures are featured: the ubiquitous Bigfoot, "Nessie," zombies, the swamp monster, and Mothman. An imaginary "studio bigwig" and the films that he has produced or intends to create provide a framework for the description of each creature. No new facts are presented about the standard monsters, but zombies are another matter. Here, the plant materials needed to drug a person into a zombielike state are named and their effects described. (The exact means of obtaining, preparing, and administering them are omitted.) It's unfortunate that the listing of books, videos, and Web sites is so limited. The cinematic background employed in the text would fit in nicely with at least a half dozen additional major film titles available on video. Still, the fact that this title includes several full-color frames from the only known home movie of Bigfoot sets it apart from other works such as Jacqueline Laks Gorman's Bigfoot (Gareth Stevens, 2002). William Wise's Monsters of North America (Penguin, 1978) may lack photographs and the eye-catching format of Herbst's book, but it does describe some less-familiar creatures.-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Unresolved incidents, such as the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, and mysteries involving alien abductions, the Roswell crash, and the Loch Ness monster are briefly related in chatty prose, creating highly readable if superficial volumes. The books offer possible theories and explanations for some of these puzzles but leave many chillingly unsolved. The books feature photos, reproductions, and garish art. Reading list, websites. Ind. [Review covers these Unexplained titles: Aliens, Beyond the Grave, ESP, Hoaxes, Monsters, UFOs, and Vanished.] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.