The United States of Cryptids

A great dive into cryptids across the United States! This book delves into four regions of the US (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West) and the cryptids that (supposedly) roam these lands. Broken up into short vignettes about each cryptid, this book is super easy to read and enjoy. I liked the organization here because it would be easy to read a story each day, maybe even with kids. I wish there were illustrations for all the cryptids, but I also understand the publishing constraints on that type of thing.

Overall, this is a great read to learn more about the maybe mythical, maybe real creatures that call the US their home. Definitely would recommend!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fun read; sort of an A to Z of cryptids split up by their region of supposed origin. I loved how it read and you can really hear Ocker’s personal voice and excitement of these creatures while you read.

It isn’t a dense fact book full of scientific research, but a reminder that cryptozoology is a field full of mystery, what-if’s, and dedication. Each section included small anecdotes of Ocker’s trips to different museums, restaurants, monuments, etc. and how each region’s culture has been affected by reports of their pride-and-joy cryptid. Amusing, interesting, and an all-around engrossing book!

"The United States of Cryptids" is a thorough and descriptive account of cryptids throughout the United States. The book could benefit from more anecdotes about each cryptid and more visual/infographic type material to make the book less dense.

This was such a joy to read! It's more of a small coffeetable anthology than a sit-down-and-read-in-one-go book. Ocker clearly loves this topic and visited a lot of different cities and states with his daughters to research this book. The collection is not only filled with insight on cryptids itself, but on each town's views on the cryptid from the people who live there. Often times, the town uses the cryptid as a tourism vehicle, and it's so heartwarming to hear from a museum in the middle of nowhere or a children's softball team with a hairy beast as their mascot. I wish there were more pictures, and I wish that it had covered every state (even though they cover a lot of them), but all in all I recommend this collection for libraries who have a big fanbase in paranormal/true crime.