Vampire Jam Sandwich

by Casey Lyall, Nici Gregory (illustrator)

Once upon a time a vampire took a bite of a jam sandwich . . . and a legend was born. Now the vampire jam sandwich roams the streets, looking for MORE JAM. Will yours be next?

A hilarious spooky picture book featuring a sneaky vampire, for fans of Creepy Carrots and How to Make Friends With a Ghost.

You may not have heard of the Vampire Jam Sandwich. But it's time you learned the truth.

Once upon a time, a vampire (maybe his name is Terrence) took a bite of a jam sandwich (maybe he thought the jam was . . . something else).

And you know what happens when a vampire bites you . . .

That's right. The jam sandwich has become . . . A VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH. Terrifying, stalking the streets at night, sneaking into people's homes in an endless search for MORE JAM!

Kids and adults alike will be delighted by this sly jam-loving vampire and his jam sandwich legend, with hilarious tongue-in-cheek art from Nici Gregory. Can you trust your narrator? Is the Vampire Jam Sandwich real? Is your jam safe? Read on to find out . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Humor, Vampires, Childrens, Food, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Casey Lyall lives in Southwestern Ontario where she also works at her local library. When she’s not writing, Casey loves to bake, doodle, and learn extremely groan-worthy jokes to tell her friends.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this out loud to my cat like the Criminologist from Rocky Horror. Superb.

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a strawberry jam sandwich!

Cute non-scary vampire story.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does one review a book about a vampiric sandwich? Well here goes nothing.

Casey Lyall, in very few words, is able to weave a compelling, and silly, story about a "Vampire" named Terrence. The art style lends itself well to the rather macabre story and the narrator. I found myself reading the story in my very best Vincent Price impression to add to the gothic nature. This is not to say that "Vampire Jam Sandwich" is meant to be a scary story; spooky and campy are more the direction I would say it took.

Overall, this is a great picture book and, as a youth librarian, one that I will be waiting for to come into our collection. Simple enough for a kiddo to read themselves, but it can also be a read-aloud and especially would work great as a story-time book. I give it my full recommendation

The only negative I see is, now I am hungry for a jam sandwich, be right back...

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told like a scary story on an evening with only a flashlight for illumination, the legend of the Vampire Jam Sandwich details what happens when a vampire takes one bite of a jam sandwich. “And of course, you know what a bite from a vampire means,” author Casey Lyall writes. This offbeat picture book will delight readers of any age, but especially middle-grade readers who normally turn up their noses at picture books. (They’ll get the twist ending, whereas their younger sibs will not.) Nici Gregory’s edgy illustrations add just the right flavor to this humorous, tongue-in-cheek gem.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received access to a digital copy of this book through work.

This is really stinking cute! I really love the illustrations and simple colour palette.

[Me, My Shelf, & I]

The story goes that long ago, a vampire
-- possibly named Terrence --
snuck into someone's kitchen and took
a bite out of their jam sandwich.

This was a cute horror story without any horror for a silly child. The meta interaction with the narrator at the end was well done and it could be a good book to help a little kid feel brave enough for spooky stories (even if they're not there yet).

The art style was just okay, but didn't really hit for me. I think I would've liked a little more detail or color or something to make it more visually appealing.

Thank you to Tundra and NetGalley for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a vampire who accidentally turns a jelly sandwich into... a vampire! The playfulness of this picture book is whimsical and filled with sly humor. I really enjoyed the storytelling and the spooky aspects added in for flavor. I could totally see kids making their own vampire jam sandwiches after reading and loving this book!

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Few things bring this reader more joy than a charming picture book, but a picture book with a dash of horror?! Well. That may just be unbeatable.

Readers learn an important and moderately horrifying historical tale of a jam sandwich that is minding its own business when a young vampire mistakes that vibrant strawberry jam for a different substance and takes a bite. We all know what happens to those who survive a vampire bite...

This is an extremely charming book with a riveting story, adorable while sinister images, and age-appropriate horror, which I hadn't even considered an option prior to this experience.

Having taught children's literature at the college level for a couple of decades, I'm pretty accustomed to picture books with MESSAGES, and while this one does not necessarily deliver in the same way as many of its contemporary counterparts in this respect, it does come through with many high notes.

This was a blast to read, and I can't wait to recommend it to students (and buy a copy for in-class entertainment).

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Tundra Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Debbie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shout to Mcnally Robinson for showcasing the book on their social media.


Have never wanted to read a kids book more than I wanted to read THIS!


What a masterpiece of a classic Vampire retelling of the folklore where if you get bitten by a vampire you turn into one. But what happeneds when a vampire mistakes a strawberry sandwitch for something else and takes a bite out of it?


Witty tale with the most cutest illustrations. A page turner guaranteed to entertain everyone of all ages. As a kindergarden teacher with spooky season around the corner this is a tale that is bound to keep my students in their seats.

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable story! I wanted to read it before gifting it to friends who are expecting to make sure it wasn’t too scary for kiddo’s and it was perfect. Can’t wait to see what they think!

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is perfect for spooky season! What starts off as a story about hiding your jam from jam-thirsty vampires winds up having a sweet and clever plot twist at the end.

I will definitely try to read this for an upcoming story time!

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I read the author's bio, I realized why I enjoyed this so much. Casey Lyall also wrote one of my favorite children's books, A Spoonful of Frogs. I love how weird this is, and the illustrations are awesome.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Halloween read when you want something “cute spooky”!

[AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever storybook. I feel like a lot of kids will miss that twist at the end (at least a lot of them did when I read it), but all the adults enjoyed it haha.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story about what happens when a jam obsessed vampire tries to have a delicious jam sandwich! I loved this book! The illustrations were amazing and the whole book has such a cute and spooky vibe! This is the perfect Halloween read!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[h]

read at the suggestion of an extremely cool children’s librarian who loves vampires. thank you, courtney!

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story for any kid who likes a spooky time! This story about a sandwich who gets a bite taken out of it by a vampire is perfect for Halloween or for those of us who believe spooky season is a mindset, not a time on the calendar.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampire Jam Sandwich, by Casey Lyall, is the story of a midnight snack gone wrong. A Vampire - possibly named Terrence - takes a bite out of a jam sandwich and it becomes a whole problem. My 7.5 yo daughter had these thoughts: "That's funny, really funny. I liked that story. This was really fun to read." We both laughed at the cleverness of the plot and enjoyed the illustrations as well. A nice, not so scary, fall story for the family. A special thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for allowing us to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful follow-up to A Spoonful of Frogs! Author Casey Lyall delivers another hit with just the right amount of spooky alongside loads of silliness and laughs, Vampire Jam Sandwich will have kids holding their breath to learn more, before falling over with laughter by the end. I love how much story Lyall fits in with so few words. No doubt this will be loved by parents and kids alike.

The art is the perfect compliment with sepia tones adding to the spookiness and tension. Splashes of red strawberry jam give emphasis to the subject at hand. The characters are full of emotion, and fit the tone of the book in all the best ways, from spooky story-teller, to fearful listener. I loved the details in the art, that had me pausing on the pages to study the extra bits of storytelling hidden there.

I highly recommend this super fun book! (and thanks to Penguin Random House for giving me a advance look with the eARC in exchange for an honest review)

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited for this book. My kids' love spooky stories (ages 5, 9, and 15) and I thought this would be perfect for my youngest son. However, he didn't like it, and I understand why. Let's start with the positives though.

The illustrations are adorable. The little vampire teeth, the spooky color palette. The background details are great too, and I appreciate the style of the cute & spooky characters.

The story though, fell a bit flat. It was too short. I understand it's trying to appeal to a younger age group, and maybe kiddos under the age of 5 will enjoy it. My 5 year old though wasn't entertained. It was silly and didn't really have a lesson to teach, which is fine, there are many books that do that. The story just felt rushed. I just feel like something is missing. I can't put my exact finger on what, but the story lacked substance.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review:
Unique and creepy (in the kid friendly way!). If you're an adult who enjoys quirky children's books like I do, or you have a child who loves a little spook, this would make a great pick! I read it aloud to my preschool kiddos and the feedback from them was pretty good with most saying "that was funny" and "I liked the jelly". Throughout the rest of the day, I'd hear them saying "vampire sandwiches" randomly so it definitely struck a chord. Two of them did give a thumbs down because "the scary sandwich was mad", but children are the harshest of critics! So, I recommend for kiddos 3.5-4 if they don't mind a bit of spook but 4+ if the child spooks easier.
As an adult reader, I loved it, it's exactly the type of originality I look for in a children's book.

[Little Batties · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casey Lyall puts a new spin on classic lore with Vampire Jam Sandwich. While I cannot imagine anyone ever asking "what would happen if a vampire bit a jam sandwich?" it does answer that question. The story itself is cute, I loved the artwork, but it felt a little more comical than I had anticipated. There is a twist in the end that I really appreciate, and I can see little ones really liking this.

As an educator, I can see this being a great story to read in October, maybe even teaching littles how to make their own jam sandwich (providing there are no allergies in the classroom). It might make the story more engaging this way too. However, I don't know if this is one I would ever read every year; it was still an okay book though.

[MOSS Kids Book Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight! Vampire Jam Sandwich is the perfect little kid spooky story, without being too spooky. A vampire, possibly named Terrance, sneaks into a kitchen for a tasty snack & takes a bite of a jam sandwich. And you know what a bite from a vampire means? A VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH. Obviously. The artwork is unique, using primarily beige, brown, white bringing our focus to the pinks/reds of the jam! A story that kids will want to read again & again! The perfect addition to bookshelves for October, for letter J days, & for those days when you just need a sweet treat!

Thank you to NetGalley & Tundra Books for a digital review copy in exchange for our honest review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this one on title alone! The illustrations are neat - mostly sepia tones with bright reds (for the jam!). The legend goes that one night, a vampire snuck into a kitchen and ate a jam sandwich…he probably thought the jam was something else, but that one bite from a vampire created a VAMPIRE jam sandwich! And it stalks the night, looking for more jam to eat. This is super cute, and it of course has a little twist at the end that older kiddos will appreciate. Not great for storytime, but might be fun for a Halloween school visit.

[BethK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little children's picture story book that seems to be more a joke noticing that strawberry jam is similar in color to what vampires prefer, and takes off on that as a joke while telling how to keep your jam safe. A sandwich bitten by a vampire becomes a vampire - of sandwiches! Of course, the author misses the obvious, such as only having peach jam which is certainly not to be confused with blood. Worthy of a good Halloween laugh by adults and children alike!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was certainly not disappointed!

[Heather Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this one was okay. The concept is fun, and the idea of a jam sandwich turning into a vampire is definitely unique and silly. The illustrations were a highlight for me. They were spooky enough to give it some bite without being too scary for younger readers. The story started strong but got a little confused in the middle. It lost some focus, and I wasn’t always sure where it was headed. Still, I think elementary students who enjoy light spooky stories with a touch of humor will get a kick out of this one. A playful, slightly creepy read that will work well during Halloween season or for kids who like strange and silly twists.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you like to hear a scary story?
Once there was a vampire who took a bite out of a jam sandwich. Probably strawberry because the jam was bright red, just like.... something else. And you know what a vampire bite means. Oh yes! That jam sandwich turned into... a Vampire Jam Sandwich! Don't worry. Our slightly unreliable narrator will ensure that all of your tasty jam is safe from roving vampire sandwiches. Though possibly not safe from tricky young vampires!

Very cute! You can certainly read this for Halloween - just for the fun and slightly creepy illustrations. But it's not Halloween specific so it could be read any time of the year.

[Rhiannon Fiust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley but all opinions expressed are my own.

If you love silly/goofy picture books about vampires then this book is perfect for you! Vampire Jam Sandwich is perfect for reading to little ones and I can’t wait to order it for work so I can read it for story-time!

If you’re a surprise/guest reader for an elementary school, a children’s librarian, or even just the parent/guardian of a kid and are reading a bedtime story this is going to be perfect for you.

[Cuppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall is a cute and clever book with fun illustrations by Nici Gregory. Kids who like a little bit of spookiness and a whole lot of humor in their stories will be sure to love this tale of an older boy telling a younger girl about a vampire who sucks all the jam out of sandwiches. Nici Gregory used a limited palette to great effect here. Text and illustrations work well together, creating a slightly scary atmosphere for a laugh out loud story, perfect for Halloween or any time of the year.

[BooksThrillJessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is filled with intrigue and mystery told by a nefarious narrator. Such a cute story that would be great around Halloween for all ages. My children loved this story and were delightfully surprised by the ending. The illustrations were brilliant and added to the humor of the story. We loved the illustrations of the Jam Sandwich while wreaking havoc in the kitchen. I cannot wait to see what the cover will look like.

*Thank you to Casey Lyall, Penguin Random House Canada | Tundra Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.