The Vampire Book

How many vampire overview books does a kid need? No telling, but given the current state of media saturation by the bloodsuckers, I’m guessing they’ll clamor for even more, which is good news for two new entries in the field.



Sally Regan’s THE VAMPIRE BOOK promises to delve into “the legends, the lore, the allure.” It comes from DK Publishing, so you know right off the bat (no pun intended) that it will be: a) loaded with facts, b) loaded with photos, and c) exceedingly well-designed. And it is, all in full-color, all on heavy paper. Initial pages made me fear it was going to be geared toward the girly vampires of TWILIGHT, but that worry has for naught.



Regan gives props not only to Bram Stoker, but J. Sheridan Le Fanu and James Malcolm Rymer — even Hammer Films! Of note is a suggested reading list in back which pimps Suzy McKee Charnas’ THE VAMPIRE TAPESTRY, Stephen King’s ‘SALEM’S LOT and Fred Saberhagen’s THE DRACULA TAPE, among others. Hopefully, that will help open young adults’ eyes to a whole world beyond the bland Stephenie Meyer.



practicalvampiresUnlike Regan’s book, Lisa Trutkoff Trumbauer’s A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO VAMPIRES assumes the monsters are fictional, but fact. Thus, you get the ins and outs on vampire anatomy, the layout of their homes, the clothes they wear, and even the games they play for “training.” It’s all illustrated by a variety of artists, printed on purposely yellowed paper for that ancient effect. —Rod Lott