whimsical reference books (like the -ology series but for adults)

i loved the ology books as a kid (y’know, dragonology, wizardology, etc). as an adult, i still love the idea of reference texts outlining species etc that don’t exist. almost like one big exercise in worldbuilding. bonus points for really good illustrations.

i would absolutely take particularly engaging nonfiction compendiums of real world folklore and mythology etc. i know kids are a more natural target audience for this kind of thing, but i didn’t grow out of loving faeries i just grew into wanting fake in-text citations.

by for-bookhelp