Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire (The World of Gustavo #3)

by Flavia Z Drago (Author) Flavia Z Drago (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From the acclaimed author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost comes a charmingly spooky celebration of difference sure to resonate with parents and children alike.

Vlad is a vampire with the misfortune of having rosy cheeks that--gasp!--make him look abysmally alive. But being the fabulous vampire that he is (and hoping to avoid rejection), he hides his rosy complexion behind elaborate vampire outfits in traditional black. That is, until he finds out that his best friend has a pink secret of her own . . .

With signature flair, Flavia Z. Drago offers a story about being yourself and finding your community, strikingly illustrated in a distinctive, detailed art style influenced by her Mexican heritage.

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Kirkus

An affirming, if somewhat moralizing tale of self-acceptance strengthened by a lovable aesthetic.

None

Drago (Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, rev. 9/20; Leila, the Perfect Witch, rev. 9/22) presents another offbeat, sympathetic, supernatural character overcoming insecurities. . . . the text is lighthearted, and the detail-filled mixed-media illustrations display energy-and style.

Review quotes

The message of celebrating differences is solid. . . The prose allows the charming, expressive cartoon art free rein in creating a world with a Halloween goth look. Affirming. . . strengthened by a lovable aesthetic. —Kirkus Reviews 

Drago mixes cartoon and folk-art style illustrations influenced by her Mexican heritage to expand the World of Gustavo series with a young vampire and his fashion prowess. Mixed-media techniques add textures and shapes to the elaborate clothing and accessories while brighter colors contrast neutral backgrounds, especially emphasizing the pink shade rosa mexicano (Mexican pink) in Vlad's cheeks to convey his feelings. . . . Fans of Drago's books will also find charming character cameos from her previous works in this new addition celebrating how 'it's better to love what makes us unique!' —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Flavia Z Drago
Flavia Z. Drago was born and raised in Mexico City. As a child, she wanted to be a mermaid. When that didn't happen, she began her career as a graphic designer and a children's book illustrator. The author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost and Leila, the Perfect Witch, she loves color, textures, and shapes and enjoys creating them with different materials and a bit of digital sorcery. Flavia Z. Drago lives in Mexico.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781536233322
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
September 12, 2023
Series
The World of Gustavo
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV078000 - Juvenile Fiction | Vampires
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Identity
Identity (Psychology)
Picture books
Vampires
Self-acceptance

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