I just fell in love with a vampire. He’s so special and so not stereotypical. No, I did not meet him in person, I read all about him in Vlad the Fabulous Vampire, written and illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago—and I can’t wait to tell you all about him because I think he’s a great example for all of us, but in particular for younger kids as they start to get a sense of what sets them apart from their peers.
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Sometimes as adults, we forget how hard it can be to be a child. Some children are blessed with confidence, but others can be really shy and try to hide, especially when they feel like they are different and don’t fit in. Vlad the Fabulous Vampire teaches children that embracing what makes them unique is the way to go—a great lesson for its intended audience of 3- to 7-year-olds, but honestly, an important lesson for all of us.
Vlad has a passion for fashion.
Have you ever noticed that vampires tend to dress in head-to-toe black? It’s like their thing. Well, Vlad dresses in all black as well, just like the other vampires in his life, but Vlad is not like all the other vampires.
Vlad has a secret.
Behind his black cape with a high collar, Vlad hides “rosy pink cheeks” that make him look “so horribly alive!” Tired of hiding his cheeks behind the “same old boring outfit,” Vlad starts designing his own clothes and they are absolutely fabulous.
But hiding is still hiding even if it’s behind fabulous clothing.
Vlad comes to the realization that hiding who he truly is will never make him happy. Then he discovers that his very good friend is also hiding something that makes her unique. Together they decide that it’s time to stop hiding:“It’s better to love what makes us unique!” the book tells us. Such a good lesson for all of us.
More about the book.
Author-illustrator 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 and she’s swimmingly good at both.
You can find Vlad the Fabulous Vampire at retailers including Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble.
