Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Vampires--they're just like humans! At least that's the case in Miller's comics-style picture book about young Dracula losing his first fang. When one of his beloved pointy fangs falls out, he stresses, trying everything he knows to push it back in. Later that night, his sadness and embarrassment over being a one-fanged vampire turn into downright panic when a glowing fairy flits over to his coffin bed to retrieve the prized item clutched in his hand ("She is stealing my fang!"). Drac's calm and kindly parents--Dad clad in vampire-bunny slippers--set him straight, and thanks to quick vampire healing, he's not fangless for long. Miller's simple cartoons flow across boldly colored panels spotlighting the humorous details of Dracula's day (a blood juice box at the school lunch table with a yeti and a witch; bat pajamas and a coffin bed). The large font--mostly in red--and spare, exclamatory text will entice beginning readers, who may well have a wiggly fang, er, tooth, of their own. Ages 4--8. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Young Dracula is proud of his pointy fangs and takes good care of them. But when one fang gets wiggly and falls out, he becomes very upset and does not want anyone to see him with a missing fang. He tries to fix his fallen fang but fails, and gets angry when the tooth fairy tries to take this special tooth away. With many funny and relatable situations and a beguiling monster character, this book presents a creative opportunity for children about dental health. Miller's illustrations are bold and boast vibrant colors. VERDICT A useful book with a seasonal theme that will help children prepare for lost teeth.--Noureen Qadir-Jafar, Syosset Lib., NY
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
You've got tooth problems? What should Dracula do? Young Dracula loves his pointy, sharp fangs. They're his heritage. He brushes and flosses regularly, and a wiggly fang worries him. When it falls out, he's horrified! He resorts to fix-it measures: taping, tying, and sticking it with gum. One night he catches the Tooth Fairy in the act of "stealing" the fang. Mom and dad gently explain the truth and help Drac relinquish his prize. Eventually, a new fang grows in. Guess who shows it off--and can't wait for the other fang to fall out? For leery kids at the wiggly-tooth stage and just in time for Halloween, here's a fun take on the I'm-afraid-to-lose-my-baby-teeth trope. Using very simple language, Dracula clearly conveys his and many kids' fears. The parents helpfully make their point comprehensible, too: It's the Tooth Fairy's job to take fangs so strong adult teeth can grow; understanding the Tooth Fairy's sadness at not being able to do her job makes it easier to let it go. And a new tooth does emerge. Happily, good oral hygiene is stressed. Text is set in all capitals; different types are sometimes incorporated to funny, emphatic effect. Humorous, expressive illustrations appeal with strong lines and colors. Widow-peaked Dracula is winsome, as are his monster pals. He and his parents are ghastly white, but their family portraits have diverse skin and hair colors. A diverting, nonfrightening vampire story with a message. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
