Not-So-Bad Guys ­Vampire!

PreS-K–Count Derek is a vampire, but not to worry, because page one tells readers, “He may look like a bad guy, but he’s really not!” In fact, Count Derek doesn’t look scary at all. He has fangs and pointy ears, but he smiles all the time, loves to cook and sing, and generally has good intentions. Soon after he moves into a creepy castle, a mob of villagers decide they don’t like him because he’s different. To change their minds, he throws an enormous party for them, providing plenty of food, music, and games. Readers will find it easy to like Derek. Aside from being a good guy, he’s cuddly, cute, and all too aware of the stigma he faces. No mention of blood or violence of any kind appears in the text. Although such an absence is necessary for young children, it begs the question: given what’s ahead in the vampire canon as readers grow up, is it okay to pose the alternate reality that vampires aren’t scary? That aside, this is an excellent tool for teaching tolerance and empathy. Youngsters might be not so quick to judge others after spending time with Count Derek.