Strange Creatures — John Townsend

Gr 5-7–This series presents a wide range of phenomena in a colorful, easy-to-browse format that will appeal to readers of all abilities. Each oversize volume is chock-full of some of the greatest enigmas from the past to the present, ranging from the Egyptian pyramids to UFOs. The brief texts are enticing, but are not substantial enough for research and provides no documentation or further-reading suggestions. The layout and use of visuals are extremely appealing even though it is not always clear whether the images depict the phenomenon being discussed. If you’re looking to entice reluctant readers, these books will do the job, but pair them with more substantial works to encourage children to dig deeper.