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Hampire!: A Funny and Spooky Story About Being Different and Finding Friends for Kids
On the farm, the critters knew,
At night while they were sleeping,
Past barn and pens,
Past lambs and hens,
A HAMPIRE went out creeping. One dark night when Duck can’t sleep, he ventures out in search of the perfect midnight snack. But when he runs into the dreaded Hampire, the chase is on, all across the farm! Will Duck—and his snacks—make it safely back to bed? From author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrator Howard Fine comes this madcap barnyard adventure, perfect for reading aloud.
At night while they were sleeping,
Past barn and pens,
Past lambs and hens,
A HAMPIRE went out creeping. One dark night when Duck can’t sleep, he ventures out in search of the perfect midnight snack. But when he runs into the dreaded Hampire, the chase is on, all across the farm! Will Duck—and his snacks—make it safely back to bed? From author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrator Howard Fine comes this madcap barnyard adventure, perfect for reading aloud.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2011
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
74 books129 followersSudipta Bardhan-Quallen is an award-winning children's book author whose books include Duck Duck Moose, Chicks Run Wild, Pirate Princess, Hampire!, and the forthcoming Orangutangled. She visits schools around the country to talk about the craft of writing to children of all ages. "Every book is an autobiography" is a favorite saying of hers, and a big part of her message is that everyone, grownup or child, has a story that is interesting and compelling—if you can find the right words to tell it. Sudipta lives outside Philadelphia with her children and an imaginary pony named Penny. You can learn more about her and her books on her website www.sudipta.com or at her blog www.NerdyChicksRule.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 1, 2019
The barnyard residents of particular farm know that a fearsome Hampire roams at night in this rhyming picture-book send-up of the vampire tale, and keep to their beds accordingly. But then one night Duck needs a snack, and sets in motion a chain of events in which he, Red the chicken and Pony all flee before the frightening porcine menace. But is all as it seems? Or is the Hampire just misunderstood...?
Although I like the idea of a barnyard pastiche of the vampire genre, and appreciated the funny title here - Hampire! reminds me a bit of the classic Bunnicula in that respect - I was less than impressed with this one. The story felt too obvious, the rhyming scheme was awkward, and I just couldn't work up much interest in what would happen. The artwork by Howard Fine, who has illustrated some of Margie Palatini's tales, was humorous and fun, but it wasn't enough to save the book for me. Overall this is not one I would really recommend.
Although I like the idea of a barnyard pastiche of the vampire genre, and appreciated the funny title here - Hampire! reminds me a bit of the classic Bunnicula in that respect - I was less than impressed with this one. The story felt too obvious, the rhyming scheme was awkward, and I just couldn't work up much interest in what would happen. The artwork by Howard Fine, who has illustrated some of Margie Palatini's tales, was humorous and fun, but it wasn't enough to save the book for me. Overall this is not one I would really recommend.
September 24, 2011
This one was an OK vampire satire. The animals all fear the hampire that roams at night and drips red in the fields (obviously hs is out to eat them). But when Duck gets hungry one night, he decides to be brave and get some food from the kitchen. The hampire wakes and comes after him and Duck runs across the farm waking other animals. They all run only to get trapped and then discover the "hampire is no barbarian, he's vegetarian" Good for kids who want a bit of a spooky story, but nothing that really stood out.
August 28, 2017
What I liked about the book: LOVED the cadence of the rhyming. Not typical of children's books, but it lent a light tone to the story. I liked the expressions on the animals' faces. I liked the name of the villain in the book; Hampire. Cool.
What I didn't like about the book: The story could be a little scary for little ones. They feel in danger of being attacked by the pig. It's maybe a little dark, but there is whimsy added. The illustrations are set at night, so they have a dark tone. It works for the story, but they can be a little difficult to look at.
Overall, I had high hopes for the book, based simply on the title. But I was left very neutral.
What I didn't like about the book: The story could be a little scary for little ones. They feel in danger of being attacked by the pig. It's maybe a little dark, but there is whimsy added. The illustrations are set at night, so they have a dark tone. It works for the story, but they can be a little difficult to look at.
Overall, I had high hopes for the book, based simply on the title. But I was left very neutral.
December 1, 2016
This funny story is written in rhyme. All the animals on the farm knew there was a hampire (vampire pig) prowling every night. They'd seen drops of red each morning, so they feared to go out after dark. One night Duck's rumbly tummy got the best of him. He dashed over and got snacks from the farmhouse kitchen just when the swine was out for a feast. Duck ran for help, all the farm animals got involved - and - it's a surprise turn of events that will amuse young readers.
October 14, 2017
This book is for older preschoolers and elementary students, partially because of its length and subject matter.
It’s a fun, rhyming play on vampires - hampire is a very large, hungry pig who roams the farm at night. The other farm animals fear he wants to feast on them.
Kids thought it was a good read.
It’s a fun, rhyming play on vampires - hampire is a very large, hungry pig who roams the farm at night. The other farm animals fear he wants to feast on them.
Kids thought it was a good read.
June 12, 2018
Thriller of a story told in rhyme, about barnyard animals terrorized by Hampire at night. Duck can't sleep, and goes out for a snack, but little does he know, so is Hampire. Will Duck make it back from the kitchen and to the barn safely with his snack, or will he fall victim to Hampire?
September 24, 2018
This is a very funny book with even funnier illustrations. All students will love this book and will still engaged throughout the whole lesson. I would have my students make their own vampire animal and draw them.
June 12, 2017
Perfect rhyme scheme and great onomatopoeia.
June 28, 2018
cute read
October 16, 2022
Fun rhyming story... scary at first but kids will love it.Highly recommended for Grades K-3
March 29, 2023
This is one of the scariest children’s books I’ve ever read, mostly for the art. I loved how needlessly terrifying this was drawn.
June 22, 2024
I liked this a lot better than I thought I was going to. Some animals are afraid of Hampire, a pig vampire, and they spend the book running away from him. Fun ending!
July 29, 2025
Peak silliness. Dad was disappointed this wasn’t a book about a hamster empire
January 5, 2012
Well, it did get several positive reviews, but even if it doesn't turn out to be very good, it still wins me over on concept, title, and cover art. Now if only they would re-make the Twilight book/film series with an all-porcine cast...
...okay, so indeed it's not particularly good as far as these things go. Far too much unnecessary rhyming for my taste. Still, the illustrations with Hampire in his vampire cape and red dripping from his mouth are a lot of fun. With some reworking (read: major overhaul of story as written), talented songwriter(s) & lyricist(s), offbeat choreography, and spirited costuming, methinks this very nearly has BROADWAY MUSICAL written all over it! I, for one, would love to see it.
...okay, so indeed it's not particularly good as far as these things go. Far too much unnecessary rhyming for my taste. Still, the illustrations with Hampire in his vampire cape and red dripping from his mouth are a lot of fun. With some reworking (read: major overhaul of story as written), talented songwriter(s) & lyricist(s), offbeat choreography, and spirited costuming, methinks this very nearly has BROADWAY MUSICAL written all over it! I, for one, would love to see it.
March 30, 2012
I would never have picked this book out, but my son chose it at the library and loves it. On first read, it felt sort of bizarre -- I had to explain what a vampire was, and why the animals were afraid of the pig, and there was a lot of confusion. But he's so drawn to it, so we keep re-reading it. He's had lots of questions about the language, which has been fun. There are quite a few idioms to explain that are cute, like the goose saying "our goose is cooked" or the horse saying "he's on our tail!" Cute, interactive book, it turns out.
August 28, 2016
I was not a fan. Neither were the other adults in the group that read it. It is written in rhyming verse. But, it is difficult to read in the format it is in. There are five lines and four rhyme:
"The HAMPIRE's on our tail!" Duck cried.
"Our goose is cooked indeed!"
The trio shrieked,
And when Duck peeked,
The swine was gaining speed.
The illustrations are really nice and just enough contorted facial features to demonstrate fear, but not enough to be "scary" to the children. I wouldn't buy this as a gift or even recommend it to anyone. That just means it wasn't my cup of tea.
"The HAMPIRE's on our tail!" Duck cried.
"Our goose is cooked indeed!"
The trio shrieked,
And when Duck peeked,
The swine was gaining speed.
The illustrations are really nice and just enough contorted facial features to demonstrate fear, but not enough to be "scary" to the children. I wouldn't buy this as a gift or even recommend it to anyone. That just means it wasn't my cup of tea.
November 28, 2011
The animals at the farm find evidence of a Hampire that goes about after dark. One night duck cannot sleep because his tummy is grumbling. As he grabs a midnight snack, Hampire comes after him! Not to spoil it, but it could potentially be scary to kids, but if read in a light tone the ending will soothe everything over. We loved the expressions on the faces of the farm animals, but the scared horse is to die for!
April 27, 2013
This will certainly be a book I will add to my collection. This book will be loved by all. It uses rhyme and also presents the story with an,auro of mystery. I beleive the listners will be anxiously awaiting the turn of the page. The whole barnyard has been living afraid of the Hampire, in this book they come face to face with the real Hampire. The illustrations are incredible and a large part of the story.
August 23, 2016
Just enough spooky to send shivers of fun through the very young, this book delighted me. Howard Fine's illustrations give Hampire the size and girth to make him menacing. Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen's rhyming tale give the tale a rollicking sense of fun.
This is a bedtime book with enough scariness to make it compelling but enough reassuring fun to chase away potential nightmares. I found it delightful.
This is a bedtime book with enough scariness to make it compelling but enough reassuring fun to chase away potential nightmares. I found it delightful.
February 2, 2012
Each morning the animals wake to find signs of the dreaded Hampire who roams at night. One fateful evening when his hunger is too great to bear, Duck goes out for a snack and encounters the Hampire. Will his future prove dire? A fun farmyard romp with rhyming text. This would be a great book to teach idioms.
November 9, 2011
I loved the idea of this book. It is quite suspenseful...and ends with a laugh!
Although not a Halloween book, depending upon how you read it to your child, it can have a spooky vibe to it.
AR 3.1
Although not a Halloween book, depending upon how you read it to your child, it can have a spooky vibe to it.
AR 3.1
October 29, 2011
Great read aloud with FANTASTIC art by Howard Fine who is quickly becoming one of my favorite children's book illustrators. Hampire leads the reader on a whirl wind adventure with a vampire-pig who could strike at any time. Barn yard creatures beware!!
October 6, 2014
The rhyme scheme in this book is a little awkward, but the title alone is enough to make sure this book stays checked out. The ending is a bit predictable, but most young readers won't care. Hampire is a fun, spooky read that will have children on the edge of their seats.
August 18, 2012
A weak story but cute premise. The illustrations are not astounding but match the text well. Not necessarily at seasonal picture book, tt would be a refreshing Halloween read for preschoolers and K-2 graders.
March 9, 2016
Read this in December about a hog called Hampire on the farm who travels at night and frightens all the animals with his need to eat. Written in 5 line rhyming pattern with rhyme on 2nd and 4th line and 3rd and 5th line. Illustrations are colorful and fun.
July 22, 2011
This one kept me riveted to my seat until the very end when I finally had to burst--- out laughing!
July 23, 2011
I can't allow my children to read this or they will never go to a farm again...
May 15, 2012
Great storyline with spot on rhyme and meter.
September 26, 2011
Good read aloud for October. Funny illustrations
October 14, 2011
http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
Spooky but not too spooky; great for Halloween or on any dark and stormy night.
Spooky but not too spooky; great for Halloween or on any dark and stormy night.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews