Shirley Raye Redmond explores the history and legend of the Jersey Devil in this informational book for children. A creature said to haunt the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey, the Devil is a portmanteau animal, and has been described in a variety of ways. It is commonly said to have a horse or dog-like head, be bipedal, and have wings and a forked tail. Folktales about its origin claim that it was the thirteenth child of one Mrs. Leeds, of Leeds Point, New Jersey, born in 1735. It has been sighted many times over the years, in the centuries since, sometimes by very prominent people, has been blamed for depredations on livestock and companion animals, and has caused public panic, during one series of incidents in 1909. Redmond discusses this history, as well as the different contemporary theories about what the Devil truly is, and how the legend came to be. The book closes with notes, a glossary, a list of further reading, and an index...

Part of KidHaven Press' Monsters series, exploring "weird, creepy, and mysterious creatures from movies, mythology, and maybe even real life," The Jersey Devil is a title I might never have picked up, in the ordinary course of events. It's the sort of publication created explicitly for the juvenile library market, and was most likely never widely available in stores. In any case, the librarian in the children's room at my public library pressed it upon me, when I came in to pick up Trinka Hakes Noble's picture-book, The Legend of the Jersey Devil, and I decided to give it a try. On the whole, I found it engaging, and I think I would have enjoyed it as a young person. I appreciated the chance to learn a little bit more about this creature of New Jersey folklore, and the different theories as to its origin. I was surprised to discover that the list of people claiming to have seen it included so many prominent people - Commodore Stephen Decatur, Joseph Bonaparte, entire police departments - and was interested in the different real-world animals that could explain the legend. Although very basic to adult eyes, this provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject for children, perhaps ages seven and above. There are some disturbing elements - including a photograph of a dead lamb, killed by an unknown predator - so the parents and teachers of more sensitive young people might want to beware. Otherwise, I'd recommend this to young folklore lovers and cryptid hunters. ( )