Informania: Vampires - Hardcover

Grade 6-8?Dare to open this far-reaching, spiral-bound notebook and find out about more than just legendary undead bloodsuckers. The first section is a graphic-novel version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Although abbreviated, its plot is chillingly true to the original. Section two, "Animal Bloodsuckers," recounts the misguided and humorous travels, findings, and reports of "field agents" assigned to the "Vampire Investigation Project." Sharp, full-color close-up photographs of vampire bat teeth, the European medicinal leech, and a host of parasitic insects are accompanied by details of these animals' blood-drinking mechanisms and potential danger to humans. "A History of Bloodsucking" examines legendary creatures from Babylonian, Greek, Roman, and especially Eastern and Central European traditions. A special treat is the "Movie Mania" section. Synopses and ratings of 15 films and television series are generously peppered with dynamic stills. "Ready Reference" features a tongue-in-cheek "Vampire Hunter's Survival Guide," a short glossary, a species list of bloodsucking animals, and a well-designed index illustrated with line drawings. Jim Pipe's Dracula (Copper Beech, 1995) is equally colorful, though less comprehensive and more serious in tone. From its annotated and illustrated contents section to its index entry for "women, see female (bloodsuckers and vampires)," Jenkins's lively presentation is one to be pored over again and again.?Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.