Richard Egielski
The Sleepless Little Vampire
Kirkus Reviews – August 1, 2011
THE SLEEPLESS LITTLE VAMPIRE
Author: Egielski, Richard
Illustrator: Egielski, Richard
Review Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher:Scholastic
Pages: 32
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-0-545-14597-8
Category: Picture Books
Classification: Holiday
Egielski’s saturated watercolor-and-ink artwork takes center stage in this visually rich parade of spooky nighttime creatures.
Perched on his bed and holding a Frankenstein’s-monster doll, the young vampire opens the tale by gazing at readers from a small, framed picture surrounded by black. He questions, “Why can’t I sleep? What could it be?” Perhaps it is a spider spitting, bats flitting, cockroaches crawling or the werewolf bawling? As each creepy thing appears—all with delicious sound effects—the framed pictures progressively expand to reveal more and more of the fanged boy’s boisterous surroundings. Little Vampire, endowed with a large head and saucerlike eyes, glows in a cool white from each spread. After a few more of the usual suspects come on the scene, and the sky takes on a hint of pink, he realizes that it was just not his bedtime yet. On the only frameless, full-bleed spread, the menagerie of ghouls gathers to hear him proclaim, “GOOD MORNING, NIGHT CREATURES!” This signals the once-raucous group to go back from whence they came. The framing of the illustrations resumes, but they are now enclosed in white. With a bright sun high in the sky, the last focused frame is of Little Vampire fast asleep.
Preschoolers may not be aware of the impeccable design in front of them but are sure to reap the reward of this winning, interactive bedtime story turned topsy-turvy. (Picture book. 2-5)
School Library Journal – July 2011
EGIELSKI, Richard. The Sleepless Little Vampire. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-14597-8. LC 2010032096.
PreS-Gr 1–The first picture, framed with cobwebs and twigs set on a plain black background, shows the title character sitting on a bed, holding a Frankenstein doll. “Why can’t I sleep? What could it be? Is it….” On the next page, the text continues, “the spider spitting? THOOP!–THOOP!” The accompanying picture, in a slightly larger frame, depicts the vampire staring at a yellow and blue spider. In this cumulative tale, a few flitting (and flapping) bats soon make an appearance, followed by a werewolf, skeletons, ghosts, and several other scary creatures of the night. The book closes on a satisfying note, with everyone safe and sound. Egielski’s watercolor/ink paintings are superbly executed, with strong colors and bold, expressive lines. They show off the artist’s eccentric sensibility and abound with whimsical details, making this book perfect for the close examination that comes with one-on-one sharing. Meanwhile, listeners will want to chime in on the many sound effects, which are great for library storytimes. Even preschoolers can get in on the vampire craze with this fun offering.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
THE SLEEPLESS LITTLE VAMPIRE
Author: Egielski, Richard
Illustrator: Egielski, Richard
Review Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher:Scholastic
Pages: 32
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-0-545-14597-8
Category: Picture Books
Classification: Holiday
Egielski’s saturated watercolor-and-ink artwork takes center stage in this visually rich parade of spooky nighttime creatures.
Perched on his bed and holding a Frankenstein’s-monster doll, the young vampire opens the tale by gazing at readers from a small, framed picture surrounded by black. He questions, “Why can’t I sleep? What could it be?” Perhaps it is a spider spitting, bats flitting, cockroaches crawling or the werewolf bawling? As each creepy thing appears—all with delicious sound effects—the framed pictures progressively expand to reveal more and more of the fanged boy’s boisterous surroundings. Little Vampire, endowed with a large head and saucerlike eyes, glows in a cool white from each spread. After a few more of the usual suspects come on the scene, and the sky takes on a hint of pink, he realizes that it was just not his bedtime yet. On the only frameless, full-bleed spread, the menagerie of ghouls gathers to hear him proclaim, “GOOD MORNING, NIGHT CREATURES!” This signals the once-raucous group to go back from whence they came. The framing of the illustrations resumes, but they are now enclosed in white. With a bright sun high in the sky, the last focused frame is of Little Vampire fast asleep.
Preschoolers may not be aware of the impeccable design in front of them but are sure to reap the reward of this winning, interactive bedtime story turned topsy-turvy. (Picture book. 2-5)
School Library Journal – July 2011
EGIELSKI, Richard. The Sleepless Little Vampire. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-14597-8. LC 2010032096.
PreS-Gr 1–The first picture, framed with cobwebs and twigs set on a plain black background, shows the title character sitting on a bed, holding a Frankenstein doll. “Why can’t I sleep? What could it be? Is it….” On the next page, the text continues, “the spider spitting? THOOP!–THOOP!” The accompanying picture, in a slightly larger frame, depicts the vampire staring at a yellow and blue spider. In this cumulative tale, a few flitting (and flapping) bats soon make an appearance, followed by a werewolf, skeletons, ghosts, and several other scary creatures of the night. The book closes on a satisfying note, with everyone safe and sound. Egielski’s watercolor/ink paintings are superbly executed, with strong colors and bold, expressive lines. They show off the artist’s eccentric sensibility and abound with whimsical details, making this book perfect for the close examination that comes with one-on-one sharing. Meanwhile, listeners will want to chime in on the many sound effects, which are great for library storytimes. Even preschoolers can get in on the vampire craze with this fun offering.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
