Our top 5 book covers featuring a Kraken – renowned as the terror of the High Seas. Its giant tentacles can crush ships to splinters or pull them down into the depths below.
Kraken is an old Norwegian word for octopus and many old illustrations depict the kraken as a giant octopus.
But is the kraken real? If so, is it an octopus or a giant squid?
Here, we will look at 5 book covers which feature this legendary sea monster!
1. The Kraken Wakes John Wyndham
Our first book, published in 1953, does not actually feature a kraken! However, this exciting work of science fiction does feature other creatures from the depths of the ocean, and their attack on humanity.
“Ships are sinking for no apparent reason, carrying hundreds to a dark underwater grave. Strange fireballs race through the sky above the deepest trenches of the oceans. Something is about to show itself, something terrible and alien, a force capable of causing global catastrophe.”
2. Kraken China Miéville
Kraken by China Miéville is a novel of dark comedy which surrounds a “squid-worshipping cult.” As well as, of course, the end of the world!
“Deep in the research wing of the Natural History Museum is a prize specimen, something that comes along much less often than once in a lifetime: a perfect, and perfectly preserved, giant squid. But what does it mean when the creature suddenly and impossibly disappears?”
3. Monster Mission Eva Ibbotson
In this children’s book by Eva Ibbotson, the Kraken is a good creature who holds the ability to clean up and revive the oceans.
“Three children are stolen and taken to a bizarre island, which is home to some extraordinary creatures – including mermaids, selkies and the legendary kraken. The island is the base for a very mysterious mission. But the magical adventure is cut short when the island is suddenly under siege. Can the children save themselves and their new friends?”.
4. Klyde The Kraken Wants a Friend Brooke Hartman
This hilarious children’s story follows a kraken (who loves hugs), figuring out boundaries and showing how everyone likes to be greeted in different ways– and that’s okay!
“Klyde the kraken loves nothing more than a good hug, but whenever he tries to hug the animals in the ocean, they all swim away. Then one day, the colossal creature’s monstrous embrace takes down a pirate ship and the shipwrecked buccaneers surprise Klyde and the reader with a valuable lesson of lesson of emotional literacy: While many friends love to hug, some prefer other ways to greet their mateys.”
5. Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid Wendy Williams
Is it a kraken? Or just a giant squid? If you want to learn more about squid, and the scientists that study them, then this work of non-fiction is definitely for you.
“In Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid, journalist Wendy Williams introduces one of the ocean’s most charismatic, monstrous, enigmatic, and curious inhabitants: the squid. More than just calamari, squid species are fascinatingly odd creatures, with much to teach us about our own species, not to mention the obsessive interest so many of us can’t help but have for the enormous beast that is the giant squid, which is quick to attack sperm whales, and even submarines and boats.”
Thank you very much for reading this list of book covers featuring the Kraken. Our favourite is ‘Monster Mission’ because the Kraken is depicted as a force for good against the real monster of our oceans – PLASTIC. If you want to help us in the battle against plastic, check out the t-shirts from our Sea Monster Project range. You’ll find gorgeous, high-quality, sustainable t-shirts featuring the mysterious Kraken.
Find out more about the Sea Monster Project here!
Many thanks to Joshua Gratton for writing this review for us
