Perfect graphic novel adventure! My middle grade reader and I both loved it so much, maybe even more than Book 1 if that is even possible! Can't wait for more books from this duo!!!

Published on NoFlyingNoTights

Something lurks in the water off the coast of New Marseyland. Something dark. Something unnatural. Something evil. Something that… quacks. The dreaded Moby Duck, a man made monster, ominously waddles to the center of the center volume in the Cryptid Kids series from Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess.
Cryptid lover K is back for a new mystery and a new mysterious creature and she’s bringing her semi-willing friends with her. Fueled by a passionate curiosity and love for weird and unlikely creatures inspired by her great aunt TK, nothing will stop our intrepid scientist from discovering new species… except maybe all a noisy arcade. It is really loud.
The cryptid hunters are going on vacation to the shore where K intends to find the elusive Moby Duck, a creature unlike any other she has studied. Luc, K’s “kinda boyfriend”, is more focused on making a good impression on K’s family while Penny is only allowed to spend time with K with the expressed promise to her mother of “No looking for cryptids, no ‘operations,’ nothing cryptid related at all.” Unfortunately, K and friends are not the only ones looking for the dreaded waterfowl: pirate and cryptozoologist Arrvida Scales is on the hunt with less than savory intentions. But even more devastating than that threat is Penny’s new friend Jo joining them, who seems to be drawing more of Luc and Penny’s attention than K, and K’s dad suggesting that it may be time she gave up the cryptids and generally not getting her.
There’s a lot going on in this graphic—kidnappings, pirates, one eyed seagulls, secret cousins, aliens. The aliens, who resemble jackalopes, really caught me off guard if we’re being honest. But beneath the shenanigans, this is a story about relationships and the way they evolve. K needs to find new ways to connect with her dad. Her dad needs to come to terms with years of anger at his aunt while figuring out how to give K room to grow up into herself.
This is a goofy read and I mean that as the highest compliment. The humor feels very Dav Pilkey adjacent with a dryness that’s at odds with the extreme circumstances of the book. Seasoned partners Goetter and Riess add a sweetness to the story and the characters that make them relatable and real, even with the plot’s absurdity. This is something these married creators are very good at and have displayed throughout their collaborations.
The graphic starts with a peek at Creature Monthly, the K’s zine/scientific publication, that provides an introduction to the central characters and a quick recap of the events from the previous book making this accessible to new readers without reading the first volume. The panels alternate between moving smoothly and steadily through the story to moments of almost frenetic bouncing during big action scenes. Like I said, there’s a lot going on. And I quite liked it.
Cryptid Kids: Moby Duck seems specially built for reluctant readers. It’s visually exciting, supremely silly, and centers around a very real heart that makes this middle grade reader sing. This is the kind of series that kids who say they hate reading can easily lose themselves in.

I originally came across the Cryptid Kids series while searching for a fun comic series to share with my nephews and nieces. The first book in the series, Bawk-ness Monster, was absolutely adorable so I was looking forward to this new entry.

It absolutely delivered the same charm and fun from the first book. The gang is back together along with some new faces. Just like the first book, the kids are surprisingly relateable. The adults are far from side chararacters or useless. While the story is action-packed, it still gives emotions and valuable lessons to take their time without sacrificing pacing.

The art is still just as beautiful as the first book. And while I feel we didn't get as much bonding with the Moby Duck (Bessie is still the best Cryptid), the villain arc makes up for it. I adored their rival/villain here.

All in all, this is an excellent sequel. As an adult, I enjoyed it a lot and I know kids will, too.

After successfully rescuing the Bawk-ness Monster the previous summer, K is ready to have another cryptid-filled adventure with her friends, Luc and Penny. Even if Penny's mom says there are to be zero schemes/adventures/cryptids. Even if Penny's new friend Jo seems to get along super well with everyone else (and doesn't even know what cryptids are!). Even if a vengeful sea captain with a flair for musical theatre kidnaps K's friends.

Hilarious and heartfelt, Moby Duck builds on the previous book's themes of friendship, curiosity, responsibility, and whether bigtaurs would wear pants.

First, thank you Net Galley and First Second Books for allowing me to read this ARC of Cryptid Kids: Moby Duck.

The second I started reading the first few pages I knew this book would be an instant hit with my age group. The storytelling and art of each of the kids/characters were so well done! It was sort of reminiscent to the tvshow Gravity Falls (or old school Scooby Doo fans); which was a huge show that is still popular with my students as of last year. Cryptids are also super popular, and the way the book is written as a graphic novel makes it more accessible for kids who struggle with reading. I even let my 10 yr old read this after me and he really enjoyed the scenes with Moby Duck and the aliens.

I think any kid that loves fun graphic novels about pirates, cryptids, zany group of kids/parents, then they’ll love this!

A fun continuation of the adventure. Thank you NetGalley and First Second.

I know this was the 2nd in the series and I feel I was missing some of the story, having not read the first one. So, I strongly suggest reading the first one first. There are clear relationships established and built on from the first.

However, a true adventure of the imagination for those who dare to explore!

This is a fun little graphic novel about cryptids you've never heard of, family, friendship, and growing up. I had hoped to see a little more growth from T.K., but I guess we'll just have to wait her out. The characters are very relatable. I expect kids of all kinds will appreciate this story.

I literally don’t know how to review this because it quirky, it’s entertaining but also absurd. The whole concept of kids hunting critics down is nothing new but the kids are entertaining and updated for a modern audience. The fact that they’re chasing…Moby Duck….is kind of a head scratcher. I couldn’t even tell what he was supposed to be for much of the book to be honest, but the artwork is charming and the lace never lags and my ten year old thought it was hilarious.

Super cute graphic novel. I will definitely be picking up the first one now and recommending it to my students.

"Cryptid Kids: Moby Duck" by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess is a graphic novel about hunting down an elusive creature. It is the second book in the series. There were many references to the first book, but it is not necessary to have read it in order to understand this book, as I have not read the first one. The artwork was colorful and expressive. I could easily see this being adapted into a cartoon. While it did feel a little random and chaotic there were deep messages of friendship and family. I can see a lot of students being interested in a story like this.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

As a huge fan of the first book in the series, I was just as thrilled with number two! It maintains the humor and core friendship story while expanding the world and the mysteries surrounding K and her friends. I can’t wait for more! This series is a hit with absolutely every kid (and adult) I give it to!,

High seas hilarity, I did t read book 1 but I enjoyed this so much I definitely will. Great mishmash of cryptid types and sources with a fun kid crew. A scooby for our days.

I think that children's graphic novels are one of the most exciting genres coming out right now.
The Cryptids Kids series has its own lore, inside jokes, and masterful use of chibis and asides, which often also appear in traditional manga.
Anybody who likes cryptids with find this story a fun romp.
The story deals with abandonment, working through emotions together, and stick-to-itiveness.
Every character has an emotional arch, and these books are super fun to read.
I look forward to reading more of these books as they come out.

A cute sequel to the first in the series, Moby Duck continues fleshing out the characters from the first book as well as introducing a few new ones. The theme of letting go and being yourself is well expressed in a light hearted way without becoming too overbearing.

Thanks to NetGalley & First Second for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent, light-hearted, and fun sequel! Continues the madness and chaos of the first one but also having the characters bond and expand further. Very sweet series I'm excited for kids to explore!