What do you think?
Rate this book
The World of Gustavo #3
Влад. Чудесний вампір
Зустрічайте дивовижну новинку від ілюстраторки Флавії З. Драґо!
Ця книжка-картинка розповідає про Влада. Влад ― вампір, для якого мода ― то справжня пригода. Однак він більше не хоче ховатися під своєю чорною накидкою. Він має таємницю — його чудесні рожеві щічки, які так не пасують до образу крутого вампіра. Він навіть зважується піти геть, щоб тільки не розкрити свого секрету друзям.
Але ж друзі для того і є, щоб підтримувати та приймати таким, як є.
Яскрава книжка-картинка вчить бути сміливим та приймати себе, довіряти друзям, слухати себе та власні бажання.
Ця книжка-картинка розповідає про Влада. Влад ― вампір, для якого мода ― то справжня пригода. Однак він більше не хоче ховатися під своєю чорною накидкою. Він має таємницю — його чудесні рожеві щічки, які так не пасують до образу крутого вампіра. Він навіть зважується піти геть, щоб тільки не розкрити свого секрету друзям.
Але ж друзі для того і є, щоб підтримувати та приймати таким, як є.
Яскрава книжка-картинка вчить бути сміливим та приймати себе, довіряти друзям, слухати себе та власні бажання.
38 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Flavia Z. Drago
11 books95 followersFlavia Z. Drago was born and raised in Mexico City. As a child, she wanted to be a mermaid. When that didn’t happen, she began her career as a graphic designer and a children’s book illustrator. She loves color, textures, and shapes and enjoys creating them with different materials and a bit of digital sorcery. Her first picture book, Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, has been highly acclaimed. She lives in Mexico.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
January 28, 2024
Vlad chooses to hide his rosy pink cheeks and true self from others through his various fashion choices. If you or a young child you know feels different from their peers, this is the story for you. It is also for anyone who can't have enough stories with the color pink (i.e. Pinkalicious).
March 23, 2023
Vlad is fabulous! He loves fashion, and plans his outfits in advance - especially as he feels the need to hide his rosy cheeks that make him stand out among the undead.
Adorable story with gorgeous illustrations about self-acceptance, can be read either as being queer or disabled. Ends with the protagonist learning to love himself, which enables him to find friends.
Great message.
Loved this, will read more by the artist.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Adorable story with gorgeous illustrations about self-acceptance, can be read either as being queer or disabled. Ends with the protagonist learning to love himself, which enables him to find friends.
Great message.
Loved this, will read more by the artist.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
October 31, 2025
I would die for Vlad
October 18, 2025
I really love the illustrations. 🩷 Such a cute Story!
Read
March 5, 2024Cute illustrations but the story could have been meatier. Then again, I am not a 3-7 year old.
February 7, 2026
i liked this book!
October 6, 2024
So fab
October 14, 2025
Christmas is coming and so I have to read all the books I'm giving to niblings to make sure they're good and this one is good
October 27, 2024
I love Vlad I really need to meet Vlad.
I was very moved by Vlad’s story and we should all listen to Vlad.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.
I am 23 and am reading children’s books in gallery bookshops.
I was very moved by Vlad’s story and we should all listen to Vlad.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.
I am 23 and am reading children’s books in gallery bookshops.
March 23, 2023
Super cute, just as expected. A sweet cameo from Gustavo, as well! Readers will love Vlad.
October 5, 2023
VLAD CLEARED!!!!!!!!! READ THIS TO YOUR KIDS THIS MONTH PLEASE!!!!!!
October 29, 2023
god, the art in these is so CUTE.
December 7, 2023
This was so cute! I love spooky flavored cuteness, and the illustrations in here were a ton of fun. This picture book is all about learning to accept yourself and find your people.
February 28, 2024
Goodness how cute this book is!!!
October 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this tale of self discovery with my niece during this spooky season..
November 13, 2024
My daughter is a self proclaimed fashion loving, unicorn witch and she loved this book. Perfect book to gift to friends.
September 9, 2023
Fashion is his passion frfr
Read
October 25, 2023PRECIOUS
November 25, 2023
I love the coloring in this series a lot.
November 19, 2024
Love the art style!
January 25, 2025
This is an adorable children’s book about a vampire!!! Absolute cutie patootie
Read
October 10, 2023Deep in the Dark Woods lives a vampire named Vlad. He loves fashion, but wears only black outfits like his friends. Black is an all-time classic in their world.
But Vlad has a big secret beneath his cape: He has pink cheeks—so bright that they make him look horribly alive. The stout vampire worries his friends would stop liking him if they found out. So he devises a plan. Vlad turns his fashion obsession to good use by designing clothes that can hide his rosiness.
Soon after, Vlad discovers that his friend, Shelley, also has a secret of her own. Could they figure out how to be comfortable in their own skin, together?
Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire is a charming and uplifting book about the journey to self-acceptance by acclaimed author-illustrator Flavia Z. Drago. Out now from Candlewick Press, the picture book is the latest installment in Drago’s World of Gustavo series—a delightfully monstrous world that began with her 2020 New York Times #1 bestseller, Gustavo, the Shy Ghost. The book’s Spanish version — Vlad, el vampirito fabuloso — was released simultaneously.
Drago, who was born in Mexico City and now lives in the UK, spoke with me on behalf of Latinx in Publishing about the creation of Vlad the vampire, what keeps her drawn to this world of monsters, and more. You can read our full interview here: https://latinxinpublishing.com/blog/2...
But Vlad has a big secret beneath his cape: He has pink cheeks—so bright that they make him look horribly alive. The stout vampire worries his friends would stop liking him if they found out. So he devises a plan. Vlad turns his fashion obsession to good use by designing clothes that can hide his rosiness.
Soon after, Vlad discovers that his friend, Shelley, also has a secret of her own. Could they figure out how to be comfortable in their own skin, together?
Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire is a charming and uplifting book about the journey to self-acceptance by acclaimed author-illustrator Flavia Z. Drago. Out now from Candlewick Press, the picture book is the latest installment in Drago’s World of Gustavo series—a delightfully monstrous world that began with her 2020 New York Times #1 bestseller, Gustavo, the Shy Ghost. The book’s Spanish version — Vlad, el vampirito fabuloso — was released simultaneously.
Drago, who was born in Mexico City and now lives in the UK, spoke with me on behalf of Latinx in Publishing about the creation of Vlad the vampire, what keeps her drawn to this world of monsters, and more. You can read our full interview here: https://latinxinpublishing.com/blog/2...
October 4, 2023
Vlad wears black to fit in with his friends, but there’s another reason as well. Vlad has a secret, something he is ashamed of.
Then Vlad learns he’s not the only one with a secret. With the help of Shelley, his best friend, Vlad discovers a world of colour and the confidence to be himself.
I love this series. They’re books I’d happily read over and over again. The characters are relatable and they have positive messages.
There’s so much to see in the illustrations.
The characters are expressive and there are plenty of background details to enjoy. I particularly enjoyed finding Gustavo and Leila from the previous books and the ghost in a teacup.
Vlad can make clothes for me whenever he wants.
Thank you so much to Walker Books for the opportunity to read this picture book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com/
Vlad had rosy pink cheeks! They made him look different from everyone else - so horribly alive!He decides to use his love of fashion to design clothes to hide his pink cheeks. His clothes may be fabulous but hiding who he truly is makes Vlad feel alone.
Then Vlad learns he’s not the only one with a secret. With the help of Shelley, his best friend, Vlad discovers a world of colour and the confidence to be himself.
I love this series. They’re books I’d happily read over and over again. The characters are relatable and they have positive messages.
There’s so much to see in the illustrations.
The characters are expressive and there are plenty of background details to enjoy. I particularly enjoyed finding Gustavo and Leila from the previous books and the ghost in a teacup.
Vlad can make clothes for me whenever he wants.
Thank you so much to Walker Books for the opportunity to read this picture book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com/
October 5, 2023
Vlad is a stylish vampire whose passion is fashion. He dresses all in black, as all of the most elegant paranormal vampires do. But, Vlad has a secret…under his stylish outfits, his cheeks are PINK! Hiding his cheeks behind elaborate costumes eventually becomes tiring, so he sadly decides to go off on his own. He doesn’t go far before he finds his friend Shelley being accosted by a rascally rabbit demon. When the rabbit pulls off Shelley’s stylish black hat, lo and behold, her secret is revealed: Shelley has wild pink hair! Together, the two friends decide to “love what makes us unique…”
Another entry in The World of Gustavo series is a cause for great paranormal joy! Drago’s adorable mixed media artwork channels design elements of Mexican papel picado, and takes the reader to a world of sweet paranormal creatures with thoughts and feelings of children. Many of the denizens of her previous books are present, such as Leila and Gustavo, all of whom are uniquely weird and adorable. The reader breathes a sigh of relief when Vlad’s pink cheeks and Shelley’s pink hair are revealed, as the color palette becomes colorful and everyone seems happier to be their true selves. It’s never too early for kids to learn to feel good about themselves, even if they’re a vampire!
Another entry in The World of Gustavo series is a cause for great paranormal joy! Drago’s adorable mixed media artwork channels design elements of Mexican papel picado, and takes the reader to a world of sweet paranormal creatures with thoughts and feelings of children. Many of the denizens of her previous books are present, such as Leila and Gustavo, all of whom are uniquely weird and adorable. The reader breathes a sigh of relief when Vlad’s pink cheeks and Shelley’s pink hair are revealed, as the color palette becomes colorful and everyone seems happier to be their true selves. It’s never too early for kids to learn to feel good about themselves, even if they’re a vampire!
October 5, 2023
Vlad is a stylish vampire whose passion is fashion. He dresses all in black, as all of the most elegant paranormal vampires do. But, Vlad has a secret…under his stylish outfits, his cheeks are PINK! Hiding his cheeks behind elaborate costumes eventually becomes tiring, so he sadly decides to go off on his own. He doesn’t go far before he finds his friend Shelley being accosted by a rascally rabbit demon. When the rabbit pulls off Shelley’s stylish black hat, lo and behold, her secret is revealed: Shelley has wild pink hair! Together, the two friends decide to “love what makes us unique…”
Another entry in The World of Gustavo series is a cause for great paranormal joy! Drago’s adorable mixed media artwork channels design elements of Mexican papel picado, and takes the reader to a world of sweet paranormal creatures with thoughts and feelings of children. Many of the denizens of her previous books are present, such as Leila and Gustavo, all of whom are uniquely weird and adorable. The reader breathes a sigh of relief when Vlad’s pink cheeks and Shelley’s pink hair are revealed, as the color palette becomes colorful and everyone seems happier to be their true selves. It’s never too early for kids to learn to feel good about themselves, even if they’re a vampire!
Another entry in The World of Gustavo series is a cause for great paranormal joy! Drago’s adorable mixed media artwork channels design elements of Mexican papel picado, and takes the reader to a world of sweet paranormal creatures with thoughts and feelings of children. Many of the denizens of her previous books are present, such as Leila and Gustavo, all of whom are uniquely weird and adorable. The reader breathes a sigh of relief when Vlad’s pink cheeks and Shelley’s pink hair are revealed, as the color palette becomes colorful and everyone seems happier to be their true selves. It’s never too early for kids to learn to feel good about themselves, even if they’re a vampire!
September 24, 2023
I was first introduced to Flavia Z. Drago's books when I read Gustavo the Shy Ghost in 2020. Gustavo was a lovable character and I was instantly hooked into Gustavo and his friends. Vlad the Fabulous Vampire is the third book in the World of Gustavo and is the perfect addition to the previous books.
As a vampire with rosy pink cheeks and a penchant for the color pink and fashion, Vlad feels out of place. He hides his love of pink to fit in with his fellow vampires until a friend shows him that it's okay to be different.
What I Like: This book has a positive message of loving and accepting who you are and embracing what makes you unique. Flavia Z. Drago has a distinct illustration style that incorporates her Mexican heritage and I especially like her use of color in this story. I was excited to see cameos from the other books in the Gustavo series.
Vlad the Fabulous Vampire is a book that will inspire you to love yourself just the way you are. I can't wait to see if we will get another book in the World of Gustavo.
This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/vlad-t...
As a vampire with rosy pink cheeks and a penchant for the color pink and fashion, Vlad feels out of place. He hides his love of pink to fit in with his fellow vampires until a friend shows him that it's okay to be different.
What I Like: This book has a positive message of loving and accepting who you are and embracing what makes you unique. Flavia Z. Drago has a distinct illustration style that incorporates her Mexican heritage and I especially like her use of color in this story. I was excited to see cameos from the other books in the Gustavo series.
Vlad the Fabulous Vampire is a book that will inspire you to love yourself just the way you are. I can't wait to see if we will get another book in the World of Gustavo.
This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/vlad-t...
October 30, 2023
What worked: I loved this fun picture book with a vampire who loves fashion but fears his 'secret' will have his friends reject him. Vlad loves black and feels fashionable except for one thing--his pink cheeks that he fears will make him appear 'horribly alive.'
Colorful illustrations with a shout-out to Dia de los Muertos. I especially love it when books share part of my own Mexican heritage.
The theme of being true to yourself is shown when Vlad tries to fit in and fears others won't like how he's 'different'. When he finds out his friend Shelley has her own 'secret', he gains the confidence to search for others like them. The illustrations of that place are colorful, insightful, and totally engaging. As a former first-grade bilingual teacher, I would have loved to have shared such a book with my class.
Vlad's discoveries and his passion for fashion are shown throughout this sweet picture book.
Adorable tale of a fashionista vampire who learns to embrace his uniqueness. Totally recommend for elementary school classrooms with its tale of empowerment.
Originally posted: https://www.yabookscentral.com/vlad-t...
Colorful illustrations with a shout-out to Dia de los Muertos. I especially love it when books share part of my own Mexican heritage.
The theme of being true to yourself is shown when Vlad tries to fit in and fears others won't like how he's 'different'. When he finds out his friend Shelley has her own 'secret', he gains the confidence to search for others like them. The illustrations of that place are colorful, insightful, and totally engaging. As a former first-grade bilingual teacher, I would have loved to have shared such a book with my class.
Vlad's discoveries and his passion for fashion are shown throughout this sweet picture book.
Adorable tale of a fashionista vampire who learns to embrace his uniqueness. Totally recommend for elementary school classrooms with its tale of empowerment.
Originally posted: https://www.yabookscentral.com/vlad-t...
September 24, 2023
Vlad wants to be himself, fashion forward and proud, but he's afraid to be forward and proud about it. With a little help from his friend though, he learns that it's perfectly okay to be exactly who we are beneath the surface all out in the open too (and it's true, his fashion choices are fabulous!).
I loved the illustrations for this book; I feel like this may be part of a series, because Vlad and the illustrations look familiar to me. Regardless, it didn't matter either way because the story stands alone perfectly well. The illustrations are wonderful though, and they feel quite like the animation style of Coco - the Disney movie - which was also a winner in my eyes!
Whilst I like the message and the illustrations in equal measure, I felt like I didn't get to know Vlad all that well; there was room to show who he was with greater creativity, rather than just an outfit change.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the illustrations for this book; I feel like this may be part of a series, because Vlad and the illustrations look familiar to me. Regardless, it didn't matter either way because the story stands alone perfectly well. The illustrations are wonderful though, and they feel quite like the animation style of Coco - the Disney movie - which was also a winner in my eyes!
Whilst I like the message and the illustrations in equal measure, I felt like I didn't get to know Vlad all that well; there was room to show who he was with greater creativity, rather than just an outfit change.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2024
If you love Gustavo and Leila, you will adore this next monster friend!
Dressed in black from his head to his toes, Vlad is simply fabulous with his fashion choices. With dramatic capes and dapper hats, Vlad always looks so put together. Yet he is hiding one little secret. For he is not completely dark, his rosy pink cheeks just make him feel so alive (and not in a good way).
Vlad tries to hide his pinkish hue behind dramatic fashion and style, but inside his heart was still so gloomy.
As luck would have it he stumbles upon one of his friends who has her own secret to hide. This then sparks a whole new attitude about loving who you are and letting that shine through!
We just love Vlad and his wonderful journey of self love! My oldest is all about fashion (especially pink and black) so this book is speaking volumes to her 💕 A wonderful halloween book addition that should be read all year through!
Dressed in black from his head to his toes, Vlad is simply fabulous with his fashion choices. With dramatic capes and dapper hats, Vlad always looks so put together. Yet he is hiding one little secret. For he is not completely dark, his rosy pink cheeks just make him feel so alive (and not in a good way).
Vlad tries to hide his pinkish hue behind dramatic fashion and style, but inside his heart was still so gloomy.
As luck would have it he stumbles upon one of his friends who has her own secret to hide. This then sparks a whole new attitude about loving who you are and letting that shine through!
We just love Vlad and his wonderful journey of self love! My oldest is all about fashion (especially pink and black) so this book is speaking volumes to her 💕 A wonderful halloween book addition that should be read all year through!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews