Vunce Upon a Time
Posted on Oct 30, 2008 under Better World |Vunce Upon a Time
Siobhan Vivian
Illustr J. otto Seibold
Ages 4-8
Hardcover, 40 pages
11.1 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
Chronicle Books
ISBN: 978-0811862714
$16.99
“Dagmar is not like other vampires. He’s shy, he’s afraid of humans, and . . . he’s a vegetarian!”
– from the jacket flap
When you turn to the first page of this uniquely charming Halloween-themed picture book, the reward is a spooky dark castle set classically atop a mountain, its pointy protuberances echoed by the forks of lightning poking out of black clouds. You can almost hear the thunderclaps and the organ music . . .
But on the very next page we see little Dagmar cutting up a carrot, his goblet filled with blood-red “Cherrie Juice” (the bottle sits nearby, conveniently labeled), and we quickly learn that this story features no ordinary vampire.
Vivid, punchy computer illustrations by J. otto Seibold, author of the new-ish Christmas classic Olive, the Other Reindeer, offer haunting scenes of fascinating and grisly detail that never goes over the top. Siobhan Vivian renders a kindly portrait of Dagmar that will make it easy and enjoyable for children to identify with this sensitive vampire who “for the first time since he was a baby” turns into a bat and flies away when his parents, fearing for his safety, forbid him to go out on Halloween.
I won’t ruin it for you, but Dagmar comes up with a costume that makes his vampire parents scream with fright. Everything’s ready, but then a terrible fate befalls his costume and Dagmar must go out as himself. More table-turning is in store as Dagmar makes friends with a ghost and has a blast collecting candy all night, only to discover that she is really a . . . horrors! Again, I refuse to spoil what’s tucked inside this picture book’s bright, crinkly wrapper.
Except for its hefty dose of candy worship, I loved this book with its goofy characters caught in a Halloween comedy of errors that takes place in a land that looks to be populated with vivid colors and skull-like faces reminiscent of the Dia de los Muertos.
Now, at a time when older children are so avidly embracing stories involving vampires, Vunce Upon a Time offers their younger counterparts a compassionate, approachable vampire who loves Halloween, friends, and candy just as much as they do. A fun read with plenty of plot twists that will keep young children interested and eagerly turning pages. Enjoy!
Check out activities based on Vunce Upon a Time at the Chronicle Books website:
Ceci Miller owns CeciBooks, an editorial and book publishing consultancy that empowers authors to write, publish, and market irresistible books that uplift and inspire. Ceci has written, co-authored, and edited books with bestselling authors and experts since 1988. See new and popular book projects. Also . . . Find expert information on writing, publishing, and marketing a book in CeciBooks Chats (Getting Started series is FREE).A graduate of the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Ceci Miller is also the author of two published children’s picture books, and former contributing editor for Darshan, an international magazine. A student of yoga and meditation since 1976, Ceci leads seminars that explore language as a vehicle for personal transformation. Based on her book Sacred Visitations, and the popular book she co-authored with John Lee, Writing from the Body, Ceci’s work (both with CeciBooks authors and in public programs) blends writing, intuitive guidance, and contemplative practices that connect right brain creativity with your true intention.
