It’s no secret that we love us some Lonely Planet here at Roarbots HQ. We were loyal guidebook users back in the day and regular visitors to the Thorn Tree message board when the internet was a wee babe, and we’re huge proponents of LP’s gorgeous new books on everything from food to epic road trips.

But it’s their Lonely Planet Kids imprint that’s been quietly publishing some absolutely killer content. Even if you don’t have kids, there’s a lot to love in their catalog.

For example, and PERFECT for spooky season, is last year’s Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts (written by Federica Magrin, illustrated by Laura Brenlla). This oversized book hits me right in the sweet spot and is precisely the kind of book I would’ve eaten up as a kid.

What is it? It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Organized geographically, the book includes (adorable) illustrations and descriptions of our world’s most notorious monsters of legend and includes detailed information (such as location, characteristics, and weaknesses) about most.

Well-known creatures, such as the Loch Ness Monster, Dracula, Yeti, Anansi, Chupacabra, and the Jersey Devil, are of course represented. As are many of the creatures of Greek mythology. But where this book shines is its focus on lesser-known creatures, such as Poland’s Smok Wawelski, the Kuyutha of the Arabian Peninsula, Manananggal in the Philippines, Japan’s Hyakki Yako, Namibia’s Ghosts of Kolmanskop, and the Amazon’s Sucuriju.

Unless you’re a fanatic of world legends and myths, many of these will undoubtedly be new to you. And they’ll almost certainly be new to your young ones… who will be inspired to turn to Google to learn more about their favorites.

Because when you read a tantalizingly brief description about a desert-dwelling monster with eyes on its feet, or a Central American creature that looks like an otter but has an extra hand on its tail (that will grab you if you get too close), or a short Australian vampire covered in fur? It’s kind of hard NOT to jump online and read more about them.

And that’s where the Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts really shines: as spooky-season (or all-year!) inspiration.