KEVIN THE VAMPIRE

A vampire and a human forge a friendship while bringing joy to a gloomy village.

Ten-year-old Kevin Aurelius and his two siblings travel with their vampire parents and a slew of creatures including an ogre, werewolves, and trolls—all members of a traveling circus known as the Carnival Monstromo. When a wrong turn strands them in the quiet human town of Lower Drudging, the carnival delays travel to the Festival of Fear and instead advertises a performance for the townsfolk. Kevin has never met a human, but he’s heard his Uncle Dax’s stories and is quite nervous, despite his mother’s reassurance. He soon encounters Lower Drudging resident Susie Cabbage, who each day toils away at a near-endless list of chores for her cruel aunts, Vileous and Dingy Cabbage, who took her in years ago. Susie isn’t missing much, though, since village leaders have forbidden fun to appease the “You-Know-What” living in nearby Cold Mountain. Kevin and Susie team up to save both the Carnival Monstromo and Lower Drudging, along the way finding friendship and personal growth as monsters and humans alike learn not to make snap judgments about one another. Sorrentino’s energetic black-and-white illustrations depict human and monster life (both varied in skin tone); Brown’s occasional potty humor (farts, a dragon’s toilet), tween-friendly ick (nose hair, toe jam), and creative names will tickle funny bones.

A light paranormal adventure with themes of friendship and respect.