On his first day at the Academy for Boys and Ghouls, Little Dracula's initial hesitancy dissolves after he meets the horrible creatures in his class, takes simple lessons in geography (``New Vampshire''), nature study (the difference between garlic and peasants is that garlic is ``bad to bite''), and plays a game of hearts (not with cards) at Playtime. After a peaceful nap, Igor arrives to take him home in the slave-powered family carriage. Wright's busy cartoon illustrations will have younger readers-- and their parents--howling (with glee) as they watch the green- skinned ``ghoulboy'' counting werewolves to get to sleep, looking anxiously at his rather animated lunch, and being put to bed the next morning by his doting parents. A First-Day-of-School with a difference. Also available: Little Dracula at the Seashore; both were originally published in Britain in 1987. (Picture book. 5-7)
