Monsters Are They Real?. Review on World of Horror Monsters - Sue Hamilton

When I picked up this book at the local library the title of the book Monsters interested me. I have always been a fan of horror flicks, and the monsters that came with such films added more excitement to the horror genre. While reading Sue Hamilton's book Monsters I found the information and the research to be interesting. I also found the illustrations and the photographs of giant fish, and shuman people to be a fun, and a delight to view.

The illustrations are very colorful, and eye catching, its comic book flair, well done drawings and brilliant colors of browns, orange, blue, green, yellow and opaque yellows kept my attention.

There is nothing displeasing about this 30-page book its quite interesting for young readers. In the introduction of this book the author invites the readers attention by asking the question do monsters really exit? Do they live among us? After asking the readers these questions she invites the reader to continue reading and find the answers to the above questions.

According to the author some monsters did exit, and some documented findings were just fabricated stories by over zealous news reporters, and authors seeking fame.

*Contents of the Book

Monsters...........................…….4

Big foot..............................……6

The Yeti...............................…...10

Loch Ness Monster...............…14

Here Be Dragons...................…18

Sea Monsters.........................…22

Giants...................................….26

Glossary.................................…30

Index.....................................….32

In the first Chapter Monsters Hamilton reveals what monsters are ("ugly frightening creatures that must be fought and destroyed") and the origin of these creatures from "scientific knowledge" and findings as far back as BC to the present 21 century.

She notes such creatures as Big Foot "10 feet (2-to 3m) tall and weighing up to 500 IBS" and the many imaginary findings that surround the authencity of Sasquatich/Big Foot such as its controversial fake footprints, and photos taken by over zealous reporters, and authors seeking quick fame.

The author states that the Yeti is another interesting topic of discussion, and research.

The Yeti is an interesting and horrible looking creature known to us as the Abominable Snowman it is a tall hairy creature that lives in the Hamalayas and have been known to "abduct people, and kill oxen with one blow."

The Lock Ness Monster also known as Nessie has been a popular eye opener since its first exploration and sightings by people 200 years ago, and the sightings continue to this present day. The origin of this strange looking water horse stems back to the "17th and 18th centuries. Its reported appearance by some was viewed as a 6 foot to 30 feet in size and has the appearance of a dinosaur with flippers, and a small head." the author reports the many controversies from the British press that surrounded the Lock Ness Monster.

In Here Be Dragons the author takes another interesting look at the existence of dragons. She states the origins of dragon stories that emanated in the Middle East.

According to her findings dragons were thought to be wise and kind and brought good luck to many. While most European cultures "perceived the dragon to be fire breathing beasts that needed to be destroyed." Hamilton states that the legend of dragons goes back to ancient Asia, Native American, and European cultures that created stories of folklore of the dragon.

In Sea Monsters, Sea Monsters played a significant role in the lives of marines. Marines have often told stories of sea monsters while at sea. The author states the notations of sea monsters in the bible such as the Leviathan, and Goliath a 9 foot, and 9 inch giant man known to have been slain in battle by a young boy, David.

In Giantsthe author notes that giants are no strangers to us, they live among us in shuman form. The author directs our attention to the Guinness Book of World Records that list the world's tallest man at 8 feet along with the appearance of actor Carel Struycken (The Adams Family Values). She also notes the appearance of the Gigantopithecus, a giant ape that grew to 9 feet.

Monsters is a very interesting book that I believe everyone may find interesting especially if you are interested in the topic of monsters, and in-depth research. However, this book is best suited for young readers at age 9 to 12 years of age. As for the font it is medium in size with white backgrounds which makes reading easy for the reader visually. Young readers will find the illustrations very intriguing and interesting because of its comic book flair and bright colors of dark, and light.  There is a glossary and index located in the back of the book that highlights the vocabulary outlined throughout each chapter which is helpful when expanding the readers ability to understand the literary content of this book.

Body Mind & Spirit

Juvenile Nonfiction

Published January 10, 2007

ISBM 9781599287713