SOLVED. 70s Paperback Nonfiction Book on Vampires, Demons, Witches etc - NOT Usborne [s]

[Kieran]

Hi all,

I've been looking for a specific book for years. I spent my childhood reading everything I could get my hands on with regards to ghosts, ghouls, cryptids, monsters, etc. I definitely read The World of the Unknown and various Hamlyn books on the topics.

The book I am searching for comes from a series of paperback, non-fiction books. I believe there was a lengthy series of these books - I seem to remember there being similar books in the series on all sorts of topics: dinosaurs, prehistoric animals, the Ancient Greeks, and so on. The books were sized about 2/3 of an A4 sheet and were not very thick. They were entirely illustrated - I don't remember there being any photos at all. The books were likely published in the 70s.

The specific book I am looking for, I cannot remember the name. The two elements I do remember are:

- The cover. This was gloomy, illustrated/painted cover. It showed a scene at night. In the sky above, there were the faces of a vampire and a witch as well as another creature I cannot remember. It's likely the book was named "Vampires and Other Monsters" or similar.

- An inner spread. This contained various water demons, including a Will O' The Wisp and a Kappa. The kappa illustration was strange in that it appeared to have an almost barrel like body.

I know this is not much to go on but I've searched and searched: it doesn't appear to be Hamlyn, Usborne, Armada or Fontana, all of whom seem to have published similar books to these. ANY and all help will be most appreciated. Thanks to all!

[Jon]

Hi Kieran, could it be this (one of the Piccolo Explorer series)?

[Kieran]

Jon wrote: "Hi Kieran, could it be this (one of the Piccolo Explorer series)?

"

It absolutely is! Thank you EVER so much Jon - you are a lifesaver!