A Field Guide to Monsters: Googly-Eyed Wart Floppers, Shadow-Casters, Toe-Eaters, and Other Creatures

by Johan Olander

In this delightfully gruesome collection, renowned monstrologist Johan Olander guides you through the world between reality and fantasy, where the creatures of your worst nightmares appear—even in your sock drawer!

With this essential field guide, you’ll:
A Field Guide to Monsters profiles more than twenty-five previously undocumented monsters. Olander will stretch your imagination to new limits with his impressive research, colorful observations, and eye-popping ink-and-digital artwork that reveal a madness unsurpassed.

Genres: Fantasy, Monsters, Fiction, Childrens, Picture Books

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son is a young monstrologist. He's been tracking them, describing them, mapping their habitats and illustrating them for the last two or three years. So when I saw A Field Guide to Monsters by Johan Olander in our public library I had to check it out for him.

The Field Guide is 64 pages of monster sightings, beautifully illustrated. Each of the monsters featured has its common name, scientific name, habitat (if known), diet (if known) and a basic description of what it does and if it is dangerous to humans.

Among the monsters included, Sean and I were most drawn to Hanger. It is a monster that eats leather and human flesh. It hangs in closets, cleverly disguised as a hanging coat or shirt. Before reading the book we had actually discussed spotting a similar monster but we didn't know its name. I guess it's nice to have confirmation!

The book ends with a monster called Wearm. It's a small parasite that climbs into ears, attracted by ear wax. According to the book it has been seen in San Diego. As an ex-San Diegan I can confirm hearing stories of the Wearm. Again, as a kid, I didn't know the monster's name.

A Field Guide to Monsters is a fun book for adults and children who still believe in monsters or like to make up monsters.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first-reads winner

This book is intended for 8 - 12 year olds and boys in that age group would love it but this "older" guy also found it entertaining. It really takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the world and the monsters that surround us. The format fits well with the "field guide" theme and does a great job of describing these monsters that Olander has discovered and recorded. Some are very realistic and could seem to be actual monsters that inhabit the world of the normal pre-teen.

The illustrations and side evidence are very well done and enhance the listings of the monsters. The cover art and introductory text lend nicely to the whole format, but I did desire a little more introduction (maybe because I am outside the pre-teen years). All-in-all it is a very entertaining book and I am looking forward to reading Olander's other book, "A Field Guide to Aliens".

[Jessica at Book Sake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica’s Review: This guide is a creative encyclopedia of monsters that you never knew existed, but secretly believed in. The creatures presented within the pages are only limited by Olander’s imagination and it seems that his is very far reaching. I liked the format of the guide and the artwork that adorns each page. Journal clippings, sketches, children’s drawings, and first hand accounts of the different monster add to the basic information of each one. The children that enjoy their creatures will certainly enjoy this book.

Kole’s Review: This book was a nice getaway from all of the regular format books. It shows a picture, description and notes of all of the crazy monsters. It is fun and silly and a little on the childish side. I found myself looking at the pictures again and again. The illustrations are great. It was a really fun read.

[Trevor Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely fun and provides explanations as to what causes the bumps in the rugs or what happens to abandoned stuffed animals. Young fans of bestiaries will probably enjoy this lighter look at the creepy-crawlies hiding behind doors or in garbage cans.

[Blyden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compendium of fanciful monsters. Most of the descriptions have a least a little wit by which the monster may be seen as commentary on some aspect of the way we live. Somewhat fun, though one reaches a point where begins to feel the idea has been belabored.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9-year old son loves this book.

[Honesty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone with a remote interest in monsters or housekeeping should read this informative field guide. Recognizing these lesser-known beasties could save your life...or at least a pair of socks.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastical jaunt through the creepy crawly imagination of expert Monsterologist, Johan Olander. While this book was a bit too "scary" for my 5,3, and 2 year old nieces, I am positive that within a year or two they won't be able to put it down. The illustrations are beautiful and the layout is easy to follow. It catalogs some very interesting monsters and gives the reader great tips on how to avoid them! This book reminded me of the old wildlife catalog cards that kids could send away for in the mail, as it gave all sorts of "stats" on the monsters. This is a great book for any adventurous and imaginative kid. You just may find yourself on a monster hunt after you read it!

[Uriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won as a first-reads copy! This is an imaginative and fun book. Since we got it, my daughter has been fascinated by the insights into the monster world. She has drawn them and talked about them. I think this book will be a favorite for my family. The text is well written and will be interesting for many age levels. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and add a lot of depth to the observations.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had hoped to keep the book longer because it is one zany, crazy alien, monsters I used to dream up and did not believe me, David and the wolf only Davnia and the made up woolfie///// language requires nothing more than knowing few foreign languages my husbands speaks, reads, and writes-I make up me own...! this book is fun

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one both fascinated and scared the pooey out of my 4-year-old. He's been sleeping in my bed for the last two nights because of the "Bed Wolf" mentioned in the book. Thanks Mr. Olander! Perhaps my son can keep you awake at night as payback.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher (7yo) read. "I would give it only four stars because it was a little scary. A few of the monsters (like Brute) were scary. I liked how it also tells you about monsters that are nice to you, like the Common Hairy Beast."

The pictures are very good."

[Lizzie]

While not nonfiction, I would argue this book is a fun way to illustrate and teach concepts of informational texts which are a big part of Common Core.