Dear Vampa
Kindergarten-Grade 2—The majority of this tale is written in the form of a letter from Bram Pire to his "Vampa." The Pire family, with their pointed fingers, pointed ears, and fangs, is planning to move back to Transylvania to stay in Vampa's "guest crypt" for a while as they are most unhappy with their new neighbors. The house next door was bought by some unusual and vividly colorful folks: they enjoy sunshine, stay up all day, and sleep all night with their windows locked up tight. When the Pires take off for "an evening flutter" in the form of bats, the Wolfsons (hint, hint) shoot them down with slingshots. Enough is enough, and the Pires, depicted only in black and white with touches of red, pack up their things. A spread shows some of the belongings they are taking: a skull safely covered in bubble wrap, a caged vulture, a plaque reading "Tomb, Sweet Tomb," a book entitledGood Neck Guide, and a coffin. As the moving van drives off in the light of a full moon, something very strange begins happening to the Wolfsons. Good fun for vampire fans.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.