Dear Vampa [Hardcover]

Ross Collins (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The Pires are cursed with new neighbors. Things were just fine on Nostfer Avenue until the Wolfsons arrived. There seems to be no end to the new family's strange rituals. They stay up all day long, lock their windows at night, and bathe—in sunshine. What's a nice vampire family to do?

Ross Collins has created an ironic, laugh-out-loud story that invites you to think about accepting others—perhaps your neighbors are less different than you think.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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 entitled Good 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, WI
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Review

PRAISE FOR ROSS COLLINS' WORK: "Ross Collins' striking illustrations combine a Winnie-the-Pooh cuddle factor with a dark imagination reminiscent of Tenniel's drawings for Alice." -- TES 20091211 Witty and atmospheric. -- TESS 20110909 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061355348
• ISBN-13: 978-0061355349
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Most charming book I've read in a long time, November 28, 2011

By 

Pugonym - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Vampa (Hardcover)

I can't believe there aren't more reviews yet of this delightful book! It's one of the most charming reads I've encountered in a long time. I'm a 21-year-old English major, and while I'd highly recommend this book for children of all ages, I'm keeping this copy for myself! The irony is sophisticated enough for adult readers to enjoy, and it certainly made me laugh at loud. It's not explicitly Halloweenish either (apart from the fact that it contains vampires), so I think it'd make a great gift for any time of year.

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great Halloween find, October 5, 2011

By 

Dianne_Avid Reader - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dear Vampa (Hardcover)

Our 7 year old loves this halloween book. He reads it over and over. Good books for kids to read are a pleasure for them and for us.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for the Whole Class, November 29, 2010

By 

Maryland Dad - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dear Vampa (Hardcover)

This is a fun story with amazing art. I read it to my daughter's second-grade class, and they enjoyed it quite a bit and wanted it read twice. Be sure to look for the clues in the artwork about what might happen next.