Political incorrectness aside, the I-SPY series produced some great little "explorer" books. Pocket sized, and illustrated with exquisite cameos, with easy to follow text that invited children to add their own notes. Long before game-boys and such like, these books were considered essential to keep the kids amused on long journeys. According to Big Chief I-SPY, in the UK alone, there's over ten thousand different types of insect. Most of ours are pretty benign, unless you happen to be another insect: from the book's preface:
"The insects in this book are specially selected, and they include poisoners, paralysers, stingers, stinkers, bloodsuckers, and thieves – a sinister sounding crew."
Now, boys and girls, all you need do is substitute the word "characters" for "insects", to write the creepiest horror story ever.