It's Vladimir! [Hardcover]

Deborah Noyes (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

Doomed to spend his time alone in a castle because of the terrible tantrums he throws, Vladimir the vampire wants more than anything to be able to fly.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-Vladimir longs to fly to exotic places, haunt Halloween parades, and lurk under bridges like all the other vampires in his family. The impatient youngster demands to know the secret spell to turn into a bat. His horrible temper tantrums cause his family to vacate the castle, leaving Vladimir to tromp through the vast halls by himself. During his cousin Veronica's annual visit, she tells him that he is still not ready for his wings. Vladimir decides that he is going to "take matters into his own hands" and go out into the world to find out how to get his bat wings. He meets a moth, a family of owls, and a dozen fireflies and becomes more aware of the need to have friends and family. After observing his progress, his family decides that he has earned his wings at last. Children will probably enjoy the vampire theme, but it is debatable whether or not they will grasp the idea that temper tantrums aren't the way to get what they want. Mills's illustrations, using oil glazes over acrylics, are rich in color and some of the details are amusing (little vampire-bat slippers, mice with bat fangs) but Vladimir's facial features are distorted and unattractive. Not a first purchase.

Patti Gonzales, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Vladimir is terrifying, not because he's a vampire, but because he's a brat. All his life he has dreamed of flying just like the rest of his family. Despite being told he isn't ready to soar, Vladimir continues to pester his folks for the secret of bat wings. He's so nasty that he eventually drives his family out of the castle. Desperate to learn how to fly, he heads into the woods, where he finally discovers what it takes to be a true vampire. Just before sunlight, he is rescued by his family and at last is given wings. The illustrations are colorful and humorous, containing such witty touches as a vampire teddy bear and killer bunny slippers, and the moral is balanced by winning humor and the idea of wishes coming true. A natural prelude to James Howe's Bunicula books. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761450718
• ISBN-13: 978-0761450719
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,795,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Little vampire learns a lesson or two, October 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: It's Vladimir! (Hardcover)

Vladimir wants what he wants when he wants it. Even if it means being alone and pushing away his family. Through a few lessons he learns that all he desires will come in it's own time. This classic theme with a Halloween edge to it, makes a substantial bed time reading choice.

5.0 out of 5 stars Little vampire learns a lesson or two, October 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: It's Vladimir! (Hardcover)

Vladimir wants what he wants when he wants it. Even if it means being alone and pushing away his family. Through a few lessons he learns that all he desires will come in it's own time. This classic theme with a Halloween edge to it, makes a substantial bed time reading choice.