Reddit reviews A Practical Guide to Monsters (Practical Guides)

They made a small one of these for D&D, and it was pretty epic. Less than fifty pages IIRC, but a tall hardback book that's just lore about mythical creatures. I can't remember what it was called, but there was a chimera on the cover.

EDIT: I was able to find it, but it actually wasn't a D&D book, though it fits the structure well.

A Practical Guide To Monsters.

Since he likes making his own stories, Wizards of the Coast published a book about dragons and one about monsters from the D&D game that read like a kids' non-fiction catalog. It sounds like he has a love of fantasy and creativity that lend well to roleplaying games when he gets older. For someone who doesn't enjoy reading there is a payoff when you get to play a game if you read the book.

A Practical Guide to Monsters
A Practical Guide to Dragons

After looking this up, I found more Practical Guides from WotC. Keep looking if you are interested.

Two of my players, who are part of a secret organization that puts out hits on criminals untouchable by the law, will often find their hitlists taped under their chairs or under the food we get that night.

Another player has been collecting strange symbols that keep appearing in random books, I have the symbols all printed out so he can collect them.

This book is also carried by my adventurers has an in game aid. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0786948094?pc_redir=1405779590&robot_redir=1

Tonights game will feature a puzzle played out on a real chess board.

Is this it?

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Monsters-Guides/dp/0786948094/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410304808&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Practical+Guide+to+Monsters

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Monsters-Guides/dp/0786948094