Tales of Scary Beasts: Six Hair-Raising Mysteries to Investigate If You Dare!

By Author / Illustrator

Susan Martineau, Vicky Barker (Art Director, b small publishing)

Genre

Non Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

b small publishing

ISBN

9781916851214

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

10-04-2025

Synopsis

Have you ever met a yeti? What about the fearsome, flying ahool, lake-lurking Ogopogo or a sea serpent? No? Well, many brave explorers and unsuspecting eyewitnesses have, and they're here to tell you all about it. "It was an enormous size, some thirty-five or more feet long ... I was frozen with terror at this apparition." How scary is that?

Read the stories, consider the facts, study the frightening illustrations and then put on your thinking cap. Can you figure out what they really saw? From the award-winning team behind Real-life Mysteries, these terrifying tales are collected into six chapters, each with its own LET'S INVESTIGATE section, that will get your heart racing and your investigative brain working!

Reviews

Sue

A selection of terrifying tales have been gathered into six sections, enabling readers to study the stories and consider the evidence to help them investigate these real-life mysteries. Tales of Scary Beasts is the latest in the 'Real-Life' series from Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker and is a treasure trove of intriguing mysteries. From lake-lurking monsters to flying horrors, sightings of mysterious and terrifying creatures have been reported all over the world and readers are introduced to some of these stories, including eye-witness accounts.

Relevant vocabulary is carefully explained throughout. Terms like 'allegedly' and 'sceptical' are used in context with little glossary boxes offering definitions as well as a full glossary at the end. Information is clearly and logically presented with supporting illustrations and diagrams to clarify understanding. Once the evidence has been put forward including a map of the world locating where sightings have taken place, a 'Let’s Investigate' section encourages readers to reflect on the information and draw their own conclusions.

The stories here are fascinating, making the book an excellent and enjoyable read, but importantly, readers are encouraged to question and evaluate information rather than accepting everything at face value. A brilliant addition to any book shelf!

96 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher