The situation is grave. Vampires are vamping. Werewolves are shape shifting. And zombies are lurching into the garden. Is this modern-day ferment of paranormal activity, ah, normal? Learn all about it in this nifty new pocket guide to man's best fiends: VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, ZOMBIES: Compendium Monstrum .

Collected from the papers of 19th-century monstrologists Herr Doktor Max Sturm und Baron Ludwig Von Drang, this intriguing book includes:

''Notes and sketches,'' arranged with some updating Transylvania travel section Fold-out maps ''Tracking the Beasties'' visual aid ''For Further Investigation'' resource list Index ''Sightings Record Pages,'' in which readers can record their own encounters, location, moon phase, weapons, etc. Red ribbon marker Covers feature foil-enhanced accents Gothic/Victorian-style endpapers

Fascinating facts revealed in the book include documented ''sparkling vampires'' in 19th-century folklore (page 26), why wolfsbane is sometimes known as ''Dumbledore's Delight'' (page 92), and much more.

Illustrated by Bruce Waldman, cartography by David Lindroth, additional historical images throughout.

Four sections:

Vampires: There Will Be Blood A Vampire Hunter's Guide to Transylvania: The Land Beyond the Forest Werewolves: What Big Teeth You Have! Zombies: They. Are. Coming. Maps:

Vampires Around the World Transylvania Were-creatures of the World Zombies Around the World Additional in-text maps Handsome, pocket-sized volume is perfect for gift-giving! 4-1/4 inches x 5-3/4 inches.

'' There are a lot of recent book releases that take a humorous angle with horror ... This one may be one of the cheekiest and the most entertaining ... What is the COMPENDIUM MONSTRUM ? It's a great pocket-sized ... reference or field guide to monsters. It gives everything from history to practical advice for dealing with monsters to maps of their known whereabouts. It's like a supernatural travel guide. The inside appearance ... gives it the aged look of a vintage book ... This just adds to the fun factor ... It's a fun item to have lying around to flip through ... Definitely the sort of thing you'd give as a gift to someone. What, you want to give someone a dictionary or encyclopedia? Yeah, but do they have a 'Vampire Hunter's Guide to Transylvania?' I think not! Instructions on what to do and not to do if you meet a Vampire face to face? The COMPENDIUM does! Go buy it, you know you want to.''

--Book Legion