Little Dracula

Infobox Book
name = Little Dracula
title_orig =
translator =


caption =
author = Martin Waddell
cover_artist = Joseph Wright
country = UK
USA
language =
series = Little Dracula
subject =
genre = Children's books
Picture books
publisher = Walker Books/Candlewick Press
release_date = 1986 - current
media_type = Book
pages =
size_weight =
isbn =
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Little Dracula" is a British series of children's books and an American animated television series that originally aired on FOX. "Little Dracula" revolves around a green-skinned, child vampire who aspires to be like his father, Big Dracula, yet also enjoys rock 'n roll and surfing. Little Dracula also has a monstrous friend named Werebunny, and his Transylvanian family of strange characters is often threatened by the villainous Garlic Man.

Book series

The "Little Dracula" book series, originally published by Walker Books and later reissued in the US through Candlewick Press, debuted in 1986. It was penned by award-winning writer Martin Waddell and illustrated by Joseph Wright; although, a joke book was written by Alan Durant with illustration by Paul Tempest. The paperback stories, recommended for ages 4-8, rely heavily on Wright's gory yet humorous illustrations. They detail Little Dracula's spooky lifestyle which includes bowling with skulls and drinking a glass of blood before sleeping in his miniature coffin. Other morbid scenes include Mrs. Dracula emptying the brain from a decapitated head into a frying pan for breakfast and children playing tennis with rackets strung with cat guts. Dubbed "too silly to be truly spooky," the series received praise by "Publishers Weekly" and "School Library Journal" particularly for its meticulous illustrations which were also regarded as "not for the squeamish." [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1564020266 Amazon.com: Little Dracula at the Seashore] Amazon.com. Retrieved February 4, 2008.]

While the majority of "Little Dracula" books were released during the 1980s and early 1990s, some were reissued in the US as recently October 2001. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0744578434 Amazon.com - Little Dracula's First Christmas] Amazon.com (October 8, 2001). Retrieved February 4, 2008.] This may have been to capitalize on the brief revitalization of the animated series the prior year.

Home video releases

format only.

Action figures and other merchandise

The year "Little Dracula" debuted on Fox Kids, an action figure collection based on the characters hit store shelves. Produced by Bandai, the line includes Little Dracula, Drac Attack Little Dracula, Igor, Maggot, Werebunny, Garlic Man, Twin Beaks, The Man With No Eyes, and Deadwood. They each feature multiple points of articulation, several meticulous accessories, and a unique action feature (Igor's brain pops up when his arm is lifted). Vehicles of "Little Dracula" include the Coffin Car, Dracster, and Garlicmobile.

Other merchandise includes costume and roleplaying sets such as Little Dracula's Vampire Kit and Little Dracula's Scepter & Amulet. Starting January 1992, Harvey Comics also published a 3-part "Little Dracula" comic book mini-series.

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101135/ "Little Dracula"] at the Internet Movie Database
* [http://www.tv.com/little-dracula/show/5168/summary.html?q=&tag=search_results;title;1 "Little Dracula"] at TV.com
* [http://www.geocities.com/littledracula2/index.htm Sailor Comet's Little Dracula WAV Sound Vault]
* [http://www.x-entertainment.com/halloweencountdown/2003/october27/ X-Entertainment's Halloween Countdown! October 27, 2003: Little Dracula Action Figures!]
* [http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=189181 MyComicShop.com - Little Dracula (1992)]