had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Title: Mothman’s Merry Cryptid Christmas
Series: Cryptid Holiday Classics Book #1
Author: Andrew Shaffer
Publisher: 8th Circle Press ~ Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
Genre: Children Horror
Pub Date: November 14,, 2023
My Rating: 4.7 rounded up

I was born and raised in West Virginia and never heard of the Mothman legend so had to do a Google search.
~West Virginian folklore, the Mothman is reportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area from November 15, 1966, to December 15, 1967.
Two young couples claim they saw a black 10-foot creature with wings and red eyes.
In this story Mothman isn’t all that scary in fact he is asked to help Santa. Instead of Rudolf's red nose lighting the way for Santa, we have Mothman's bright red eyes acting as headlights.
Mothman's Merry Cryptic Christmas was an entertaining read for me. Additionally there are some fun discussion questions at the end!
When I requested this I was curious about Mothman - which was satisfied with my Google search!
However the biggest surprise was how much I enjoyed this
PLUS I have never viewed a Kindle e-book that was
 illustrated
 with sound
 In color.
WOW! Totally Love it! -
Want to thank NetGalley and 8th Circle Press ~ Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 14, 2023

I loved this book! It was a fun read with cute illustrations. However, for some young ones, the illustrations may come across as somewhat scary and creepy.

The story is a re-imagined Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. Instead of Rudolf's red nose lighting the way for Santa, we have Mothman's bright red eyes acting as headlights. Mothman's Merry Cryptic Christmas was an entertaining read for me. And there's some fun discussion questions at the end which makes for a fun family night. Four stars.

I received a DRC from 8th Circle Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

My kids loved this one! My daughter (age 5) especially has always been more drawn to spookier things and she particularly enjoyed it. It’s nice and quick while still being entertaining throughout

This book is just delightful! Mothman + Christmas? Love it.
The illustrations are great and lend complete charm to the story. While it is an homage to a very familiar tune it’s still quite something to see.

Mothman’s Merry Cryptid Christmas was the holiday book I didn’t know I needed! The best “not retelling of Rudolph” I’ve ever read! The illustrations were precious and the story was quick and cute, perfect for bedtime. Loved the Mothman fun facts, as well!

This book will definitely be a holiday staple for my little guys this year and will be making its way into my cryptid loving adult sister’s gift bag as well!

Move over Elf. Mothman's Merry Cryptid Christmas is going to be your family's new favorite on the shelf. A delightful Christmas story with whimsical illustrations of how Mothman helped out Santa. The author did a great job of slipping in explanations for those who may not be familiar with such creatures. It's the perfect length for listeners and readers alike. Looking forward to more!

Absolutely fantastic. A great read for adults and kids and combinations of the two alike. Would recommend to anyone who loves Mothman and likes Christmas parodies. Would love to see future books featuring mothman for other holidays and occasions.

A retelling of a classic story in a fresh new light. Most people might think this is another version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and in some ways that is true but it also is great for todays kids who are so focused on video game monsters and Godzilla. It gives you a new version of a well known tell and also introduces a little known cryptic by the name of Mothman who in this incarnation is quite adorable and delightful. The illustrations are very charming. Expect this to become a favorite to read around the holidays and joke about for years to come.

This is such a fun little picture book for anyone looking for a Christmas.story that's a little bit. alternative to the typical Christmas children's books. My favorite part about the whole story is the fact that Mothman, a character who is typically regarded as a bad guy, ends up saving Christmas just like Rudolph does. I'm excited to add this to the list of books that I will read every Christmas season!

I love a good Cryptid book, especially a Mothman book! For fans of Hazy Dell Press books such as Mothman Baby, this one will not disappoint during the Christmas Season. The art is quirky and entertaining to follow the storyline of what would happen if Mothman substituted for Rudolph? The story that ensues will soon become your families new favorite for the holiday season, especially if you’re a little weird like my family! 5/5 stars!

THIS AMUSING HOMAGE TO RUDOLPH is LAUGH OUT LOUD.

This delightful picture book is both a parody of and homage to the 1939 Robert May Christmas classic “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”. The book centers on a cryptid, or mythological creature, the Mothman, a man-sized moth that has often been reported in West Virginia. In this story, Rudolph is unavailable, and Santa seeks Mothman’s help. The words are clever and although as the author admits, the rhyme does not quite the Rudolph tune, it is close enough for parents to sing the book if they so choose. The story will be entertaining to children and provide a gentle lesson about self confidence. The illustrations are colorful, bright and amusing. This picture book is aimed at both young children and the older readers who will enjoy the satire. There is an afterward with a reading guide, that provides gentle satire as well.

This unbiased review was based on an advanced review copy that was provided by 8th Circle Press through NetGalley.

This was such a cute book. I love Mothman and anything to do with cryptids so this was right up my alley. I thought it was funny that Mothman replaced Rudolph leading Santa's sleigh.

This kinda reminded me of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, but obviously with a cute/kinda dark different spin on it.

I had actually never heard of mothman before reading this book, but it kinda reminds me of Bigfoot or the Lochness monster. (Like are they really REAL or just kind of one of those things, you know?)

Kids around 5-8 would enjoy this the most.

Also, the illustrations were so beautifully done as well!

Oh my gosh, this was so awesome - everyone who reads this will both love it and laugh their butts off; the notes at the end are just as funny [and informative] as the story itself.

Whether you read or sing this [you'll understand this as soon as you start the book], this is sure to quickly become a yearly, family, favorite.

Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Shaffer, and 8th Circle Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For monster lovers & their littles.
A fun alternative to traditional Christmas books, particularly that one with the outcast reindeer. The illustrations are simple yet cute and you can aaalllmost sing along with the story, definitely worth a try.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

Mothman's Merry Cryptid Christmas by Andrew Shaffer is currently scheduled for release on November 14 2023. Few have seen the West Virginia creature known as Mothman, but everyone agrees nothing good happens when he’s around—there always seems to be an accident or some other mishap. Is he really an unlucky charm? Even he’s unsure. When Rudolph takes an unexpected vacation one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa Claus comes to Mothman with a request: “Mothman with your eyes so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” Whether he saves Christmas or accidentally destroys it, one thing is for certain: the holidays will never be the same.

Mothman's Merry Cryptid Christmas is a cute and quirky book that is a perfect stocking stuff or addition to a small gift bag for kids and adults alike. A fresh, cryptid take on a classic idea also offers the suggestion that what other people think about you does not mater, as long as you are doing your best. The illustrations are just as much fun as the story itself and a paired perfectly. I think this is a great little gift book, or addition to a cryptid lover's library.

As a huge fan of everything Mothman, I was absolutely thrilled to see a little Christmas story about him. The story is obviously nothing new (Schaffer lets you know this is a sort-of-parody right up front), but this is a very fun take on a Christmas classic. The illustrations are really what make this book so special. There is so much emotion captured in the simple illustrations. There is a very specific one where Mothman is holding a sweater that is a personal favorite. Overall, this is well worth the read, and if you have any interest in cryptids or know someone else who does this would be an adorable stocking stuffer or gift for their kids.

A very cute pseudo retelling of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. Nice illustrations. Would make a great gift for that one “weird” kid you know.

A cute + spooky story perfect for Halloween and Christmas, This is NOT a Rudolph ripoff. Don’t you dare claim it is!