Review by Booklist Review
In this impressive one-stop shop for Sasquatch enthusiasts, Halls has assembled a record of the apelike cryptid in the lore of Native Peoples, a history of major missions to find a specimen, the best existing pieces of evidence, and the various ways to embark upon an expedition as well as how new technology is advancing the methods of determined diehards. Halls hits the big points (like the famous Patterson-Gimlin footage) but does not leave out double-take-worthy, lesser-known stories, such as when actor Jimmy Stewart smuggled a mummified Yeti finger out of Tibet by hiding it in his wife's underwear. (Yes, the finger was eventually lost sadly, a common occurrence in the field of cryptozoology.) The layout is filled with historical shots; artists' renderings; footprint casts; maps showing state-by-state sightings (Washington leads, with 487); and bizarro sidebars believe it or not, some Sasquatch hunters set their adventures to music. It can all get a bit starry-eyed, but the rigors of scientific analysis and skepticism prevail. Suggested readings, source notes, and a glossary fill out the back matter.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Fans of mythical creatures and mysteries will get a kick out of this book. While not as effective in documenting the research process as Scott Reynolds Nelson and Marc Aronson's Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry (National Geographic, 2007), this book does a fair job of presenting the evidence for Sasquatch through stories of people who have dedicated their lives to finding the cryptid. Evidence for its existence might leave many kids unconvinced, but they will likely be entertained anyway. Black-and-white and muted color illustrations and photos of people, lush forests, clues, and Sasquatch itself are scattered throughout, breaking up what could otherwise be a text-heavy book. Readers who find their curiosity piqued will be rewarded in the end; the back matter includes a well-designed map of sightings in America and Canada, as well as information that will facilitate further research. The book makes an appealing individual reading experience, but the short chapters and lively narrative also make for an engaging read aloud, especially for groups of children transitioning to longer books or more sophisticated subject matter.-Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Tales of the Cryptids (2006), Halls makes her case by tallying Native American legends, the many footprints and reported sightings (a map of the latter claims hundreds from every state except Hawaii), the famous Patterson-Gimlin film, the recorded "Sierra Sounds" and other circumstantial evidence. She also interviews scientists and Sasquatch hunters, includes an account of early searches for Tibet's Yeti, adds the transcript of a panicky 911 call and even covers some proven hoaxes. She maintains a believer's voice, gently challenging refuseniks: "Serious Sasquatch hunters are as skeptical as unbelievers. They are not out to collect great stories. They are out to put together facts. Proof. The difference is, they are willing to keep an open mind." Illustrated with photos, drawings and archival images aplenty and closing with generous lists of print, Web and video resources this is about as convincing as it gets--considering the continuing absence of any incontrovertible physical proof--and should give young cryptid hunters a good hairy leg up on investigations of their own. All those hundreds of witnesses and researchers can't be wrong, can they? (Nonfiction. 9-11)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
