What do you think?
Rate this book
Petit Vampire #1-3
Little Vampire
Living in a house filled with grown-up ghouls and monsters, Little Vampire is so lonely that he’s even willing to go to school if that’s what it takes to find friends. Unfortunately, school seems to be filled with children who are still alive. . . .
Little Vampire finds friendship with a boy named Michael, and they embark on adventures in the three stories in this collection. Included in this book are Little Vampire Goes to School (a New York Times Bestseller), Little Vampire Does Kung Fu, and Little Vampire and the Society of Canine Defenders (now published in the United States for the first time). Insightful and inventive, Joann Sfar brings Little Vampire and Michael’s fantastical world to young readers in stories that both feed the imagination and resonate with emotional truth.
Little Vampire finds friendship with a boy named Michael, and they embark on adventures in the three stories in this collection. Included in this book are Little Vampire Goes to School (a New York Times Bestseller), Little Vampire Does Kung Fu, and Little Vampire and the Society of Canine Defenders (now published in the United States for the first time). Insightful and inventive, Joann Sfar brings Little Vampire and Michael’s fantastical world to young readers in stories that both feed the imagination and resonate with emotional truth.
92 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2008
10 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Joann Sfar
485 books508 followersJoann Sfar (born August 28, 1971 in Nice) is a French comics artist, comic book creator, and film director.
Sfar is considered one of the most important artists of the new wave of Franco-Belgian comics. Many of his comics were published by L'Association which was founded in 1990 by Jean-Christophe Menu and six other artists. He also worked together with many of the new movement's main artists, e.g. David B. and Lewis Trondheim. The Donjon series which he created with Trondheim has a cult following in many countries.
Some of his comics are inspired by his Jewish heritage as the son of Jewish parents (an Ashkenazi mother and a Sephardic father). He himself says that there is Ashkenazi humor in his Professeur Bell series (loosely based on Joseph Bell), whereas Le chat du rabbin is clearly inspired by his Sephardic side. Les olives noires is a series about a Jewish child in Israel at the time of Jesus. Like Le chat du rabbin, the series contains a lot of historical and theological information.
His main influences are Fred and André Franquin as well as Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Will Eisner, Hugo Pratt and John Buscema.
From 2009 to 2010, Sfar wrote and directed 'Serge Gainsbourgh: Une Vie Heroique', a biopic of the notorious French songwriter, of whom Sfar is a self-confessed fanatic. The film, which draws substantially on Sfar's abilities as a comic book artist through its extensive use of fantasy artwork, animation and puppetry, was released in 2010 to general critical acclaim.
Sfar is considered one of the most important artists of the new wave of Franco-Belgian comics. Many of his comics were published by L'Association which was founded in 1990 by Jean-Christophe Menu and six other artists. He also worked together with many of the new movement's main artists, e.g. David B. and Lewis Trondheim. The Donjon series which he created with Trondheim has a cult following in many countries.
Some of his comics are inspired by his Jewish heritage as the son of Jewish parents (an Ashkenazi mother and a Sephardic father). He himself says that there is Ashkenazi humor in his Professeur Bell series (loosely based on Joseph Bell), whereas Le chat du rabbin is clearly inspired by his Sephardic side. Les olives noires is a series about a Jewish child in Israel at the time of Jesus. Like Le chat du rabbin, the series contains a lot of historical and theological information.
His main influences are Fred and André Franquin as well as Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Will Eisner, Hugo Pratt and John Buscema.
From 2009 to 2010, Sfar wrote and directed 'Serge Gainsbourgh: Une Vie Heroique', a biopic of the notorious French songwriter, of whom Sfar is a self-confessed fanatic. The film, which draws substantially on Sfar's abilities as a comic book artist through its extensive use of fantasy artwork, animation and puppetry, was released in 2010 to general critical acclaim.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 10, 2024
چهار ستاره کمیکی = (نقاشی+ خاص بودن + داستان گویی متفاوت + عجیب بودن)
به طرز وحشتناکی دوست داشتنی بود. یک کمیک که انگار از دل انیمیشنهای محبوبم در اومده: عروس مردگان و کابوس قبل از کریسمس
۱۳۹۵/۱۲/۱۹
کتاب رو میتونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books
به طرز وحشتناکی دوست داشتنی بود. یک کمیک که انگار از دل انیمیشنهای محبوبم در اومده: عروس مردگان و کابوس قبل از کریسمس
۱۳۹۵/۱۲/۱۹
کتاب رو میتونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books
July 26, 2018
3 stories are translated from the French and collected in this volume.
"Little Vampire Goes to School"
"Little Vampire Does Kung Fu"
"Little Vampire and the Canine Defenders Club"
Little Vampire becomes friend with Michael, a human. I like the 2nd story about Kung Fu. Michael has to learn to defend himself against the school bully. It tickled me.
I liked the 3rd story and they saved dogs that were used for animal testing. I think the end is funny. "The Canine Defenders annual Picnic" That was good.
The ideas are pretty good. I think the art is pretty cheap. It's a cute little story.
"Little Vampire Goes to School"
"Little Vampire Does Kung Fu"
"Little Vampire and the Canine Defenders Club"
Little Vampire becomes friend with Michael, a human. I like the 2nd story about Kung Fu. Michael has to learn to defend himself against the school bully. It tickled me.
I liked the 3rd story and they saved dogs that were used for animal testing. I think the end is funny. "The Canine Defenders annual Picnic" That was good.
The ideas are pretty good. I think the art is pretty cheap. It's a cute little story.
January 26, 2011
I think what I love most about Sfar's work is how confidently and centrally Jewish it is. It's not always a big deal, and it isn't here; it's just a fact. When the skeletal Captain asks the little boy Michael to swear on the sign of the cross, Michael says, "I'm Jewish." "Swear on the sign of the star, then." "We don't do that," Michael says. "Besides, I'm an atheist."
Little Vampire is tired of being the only kid in a house of ghosts and monsters. He wants to go to school. The monsters take him, but the school is empty and he's all alone: belatedly, he realizes maybe human kids go to school during the day. The monsters have a solution, although they do not intend for it to include Little Vampire doing someone else's math homework and befriending a human boy.
This is adorable! I'm glad First Second is bringing it to Sfar's new adult English-language audience, although I hope it still gets shared with the kids at whom it was originally directed.
Little Vampire is tired of being the only kid in a house of ghosts and monsters. He wants to go to school. The monsters take him, but the school is empty and he's all alone: belatedly, he realizes maybe human kids go to school during the day. The monsters have a solution, although they do not intend for it to include Little Vampire doing someone else's math homework and befriending a human boy.
This is adorable! I'm glad First Second is bringing it to Sfar's new adult English-language audience, although I hope it still gets shared with the kids at whom it was originally directed.
March 10, 2017
اگر نظر یه دوست قابل اعتماد وجود نداشت بعید بود سراغ این کتاب برم
با خوندن چند صفحه اول احساس کردم این هم مثل بقیه داستانهای تکراریای هست که فقط نقاشیهای بانمک دارن
اما
وقتی به اواسط داستان رسیدم یهو همه چی تغییر کرد.
به طرز عجیبی جالب و بانمک شد، نه اونقدر که برای یه بزرگسال خیلی جذاب باشه اما برای نوجوانان فوقالعاده است و واقعا انصاف نبود کمتر از این بهش امتیاز بدم.
خصوصا با نکتهي اخلاقیش که خیلی به درد بعضی از دانشجوهای ما میخوره
:))
با خوندن چند صفحه اول احساس کردم این هم مثل بقیه داستانهای تکراریای هست که فقط نقاشیهای بانمک دارن
اما
وقتی به اواسط داستان رسیدم یهو همه چی تغییر کرد.
به طرز عجیبی جالب و بانمک شد، نه اونقدر که برای یه بزرگسال خیلی جذاب باشه اما برای نوجوانان فوقالعاده است و واقعا انصاف نبود کمتر از این بهش امتیاز بدم.
خصوصا با نکتهي اخلاقیش که خیلی به درد بعضی از دانشجوهای ما میخوره
:))
December 19, 2015
I've read this one a lot over the years. It's one of my favorites. The Little Vampire Goes to School I especially love. It's silly and lighthearted in many ways but also addresses loss and death and myths as metaphors for our emotional experiences (as well as best homework practices for those who are friends with vampires.)
July 3, 2025
Mana jaunā mīļākā grāmata! Sen tā nebiju smējusies, kaut ko lasot.
December 3, 2019
Had to review this because it was so much fun! The characters are great and larger than life. It is funny, there are even some classy, well timed poop jokes, lol. What more do you need? I hope these are all translated into English.
April 13, 2012
Beginning with the positives: the art was cute and a bit reminiscent of the nightmare before christmas, but with more jewel tones. I like the basic idea of a vampire child trying to make friends, it's a bit like Casper.
The not so positives: The intended audience and tone seemed to bounce around, as some things were captain-underpants-style humor but the story also touched on a more serious look at religion and wives being unfaithful. There were internal consistency problems and unexplained aspects, such as how the little vampire became a vampire and what rules these creatures have to follow in their world. The plot line just sort of rambled every which-way.
Maybe there is something I missed that makes this such a great book, but I felt very lukewarm about it. I'm not a little boy, though, so I suppose it's not entirely important that I be a huge fan.
The not so positives: The intended audience and tone seemed to bounce around, as some things were captain-underpants-style humor but the story also touched on a more serious look at religion and wives being unfaithful. There were internal consistency problems and unexplained aspects, such as how the little vampire became a vampire and what rules these creatures have to follow in their world. The plot line just sort of rambled every which-way.
Maybe there is something I missed that makes this such a great book, but I felt very lukewarm about it. I'm not a little boy, though, so I suppose it's not entirely important that I be a huge fan.
July 14, 2014
The best thing about it is Little Vampire's dog, Phanomoto, who is bright red and Rotten Ralph-like. Little Vampire himself doesn't have a name, and his origin is a little puzzling. The monsters are all cute in a Real Monsters/Ugly Doll sort of way, so it isn't really creepy, but the stories aren't very well thought-out, as if Sfar ran into problems, picked a solution, and let that drag him along to the next problem.
Neither Natasha nor I loved it. For a similar feel, but more cohesive plot, I can't recommend Scary Godmother Omnibus highly enough.
Neither Natasha nor I loved it. For a similar feel, but more cohesive plot, I can't recommend Scary Godmother Omnibus highly enough.
May 5, 2012
i didnt finish this book it was a bit boy. also the cursive was hard to read. i think boys should read this book.
March 5, 2023
Not sure if this book was for kids or adults who want to read a kids-type story. But since the word “boobs” doesn’t usually appear in children’s literature I’m going to guess the latter.
The illustrations are a mess and inconsistent in style but that’s the style of the illustrator I gather.
There are three stories in here and one is pretty good; the others are so-so. I just think there is some lost potential in a spooky story where you can do whatever you want with ghosts and monsters since this book doesn’t really seem made for children.
I’d skip it.
The illustrations are a mess and inconsistent in style but that’s the style of the illustrator I gather.
There are three stories in here and one is pretty good; the others are so-so. I just think there is some lost potential in a spooky story where you can do whatever you want with ghosts and monsters since this book doesn’t really seem made for children.
I’d skip it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 25, 2009Sfar, J. (2008). Little Vampire. New York: First Second.
1596432330
Originally published as child-friendly individual comics, Little Vampire includes three of those comics as chapters in this graphic novel. In the old mansion, Little Vampire surprises all the ghosts and other creatures of the night by declaring that he wants to go to school. Of course there's a problem—classes are held in the daytime and Little Vampire can only venture to school in the night. Not giving up on his desire to learn, Little Vampire begins doing the homework from one of the daytime students' notebooks. That boy, an orphan named Michael, and Little Vampire begin a discussion through that homework notebook. As their friendship develops, the two have many fun adventures.
Through Michael's interactions with the various characters, there's a surprising amount of religious discussions, questioning of faith, consideration of good and evil and the Holocaust.
While fun, each of the stories does include potential lessons that a teacher or parent could draw out if they so chose.
Activities to Do with the Book:
Since the first story included in this graphic novel shows Little Vampire's desire to go to school. This book can be used to encourage students to want to do the same.
A the same time, in the first book, Little Vampire goes to school for the first time, uncertain of what to expect. All he has is his own cultural background of being a creature of the night—in which dusty old tombs are used as paper, and proper ink is a bottle of blood. The fact that Little Vampire is perceived as different by Michale (and vice versa) could serve as a metaphorical trigger for elementary age students to be accommodating of other students from a different background than their own.
If a teacher had just finished reading The Graveyard Book to a class or literature circle, this would be a great recommendation to a reluctant reader who enjoyed hearing that Newbery winner. (A graphic novel pairing could also be made with Jeff Smith's Bone series. This could also be paired with a children's version of The Flying Dutchman story (which could then lead to either a special Friday viewing of The Pirates of the Caribbean.
These would also be a natural recommendation for students who like the Addams Family movies (or tv show!) since they have a similar dark humor to them.
Favorite Quotes:
“It was a night just like any other night at the old mansion. The dead stepped out, dressed in their Sunday best” (p. 3).
“Vampires are free as the wind. They can fly; they can turn themselves into rats, wolves, or bats; they can even bite little girls till they bleed, without even getting into trouble with their parents.”
“So, really, Little Vampire...”
“Don't you have something better to do than go to school?”
“No” (p. 4).
“I should bring a present for the teacher.”
“Poop is always sure to please.”
“Maybe you're a burglar who loves math.”
“Don't do this at home. If your dog isn't magical, you shouldn't climb on him.”
“It was a night just like any other night at the old mansion. The dead stepped out, dressed in their Sunday best” (p. 3).
“Vampires are free as the wind. They can fly; they can turn themselves into rats, wolves, or bats; they can even bite little girls till they bleed, without even getting into trouble with their parents.”
“So, really, Little Vampire...”
“Don't you have something better to do than go to school?”
“No” (p. 4).
“I should bring a present for the teacher.”
“Poop is always sure to please.”
“Maybe you're a burglar who loves math.”
“Don't do this at home. If your dog isn't magical, you shouldn't climb on him.”
For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.
1596432330
Originally published as child-friendly individual comics, Little Vampire includes three of those comics as chapters in this graphic novel. In the old mansion, Little Vampire surprises all the ghosts and other creatures of the night by declaring that he wants to go to school. Of course there's a problem—classes are held in the daytime and Little Vampire can only venture to school in the night. Not giving up on his desire to learn, Little Vampire begins doing the homework from one of the daytime students' notebooks. That boy, an orphan named Michael, and Little Vampire begin a discussion through that homework notebook. As their friendship develops, the two have many fun adventures.
Through Michael's interactions with the various characters, there's a surprising amount of religious discussions, questioning of faith, consideration of good and evil and the Holocaust.
While fun, each of the stories does include potential lessons that a teacher or parent could draw out if they so chose.
Activities to Do with the Book:
Since the first story included in this graphic novel shows Little Vampire's desire to go to school. This book can be used to encourage students to want to do the same.
A the same time, in the first book, Little Vampire goes to school for the first time, uncertain of what to expect. All he has is his own cultural background of being a creature of the night—in which dusty old tombs are used as paper, and proper ink is a bottle of blood. The fact that Little Vampire is perceived as different by Michale (and vice versa) could serve as a metaphorical trigger for elementary age students to be accommodating of other students from a different background than their own.
If a teacher had just finished reading The Graveyard Book to a class or literature circle, this would be a great recommendation to a reluctant reader who enjoyed hearing that Newbery winner. (A graphic novel pairing could also be made with Jeff Smith's Bone series. This could also be paired with a children's version of The Flying Dutchman story (which could then lead to either a special Friday viewing of The Pirates of the Caribbean.
These would also be a natural recommendation for students who like the Addams Family movies (or tv show!) since they have a similar dark humor to them.
Favorite Quotes:
“It was a night just like any other night at the old mansion. The dead stepped out, dressed in their Sunday best” (p. 3).
“Vampires are free as the wind. They can fly; they can turn themselves into rats, wolves, or bats; they can even bite little girls till they bleed, without even getting into trouble with their parents.”
“So, really, Little Vampire...”
“Don't you have something better to do than go to school?”
“No” (p. 4).
“I should bring a present for the teacher.”
“Poop is always sure to please.”
“Maybe you're a burglar who loves math.”
“Don't do this at home. If your dog isn't magical, you shouldn't climb on him.”
“It was a night just like any other night at the old mansion. The dead stepped out, dressed in their Sunday best” (p. 3).
“Vampires are free as the wind. They can fly; they can turn themselves into rats, wolves, or bats; they can even bite little girls till they bleed, without even getting into trouble with their parents.”
“So, really, Little Vampire...”
“Don't you have something better to do than go to school?”
“No” (p. 4).
“I should bring a present for the teacher.”
“Poop is always sure to please.”
“Maybe you're a burglar who loves math.”
“Don't do this at home. If your dog isn't magical, you shouldn't climb on him.”
For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.
Read
September 26, 2016The little vampire is interesting. It has three stories in one, but personally I believe that you have to read the first story to understand the rest of them. One explains how he gets his friend Michael, and the rest talk about their adventures.
This is a cool graphic novel. Every page the color scheme fits how the scenes are going. If it is red, it might be tension or someone is angry. If the color is purple it is more calm and the scene is building up to what is happening next. The gutter space does not really have a lot of meaning, it just shows how a little time has passed. The speech bubbles are what you would normally think of speech bubbles. This is an overall great graphic novel.
This is a cool graphic novel. Every page the color scheme fits how the scenes are going. If it is red, it might be tension or someone is angry. If the color is purple it is more calm and the scene is building up to what is happening next. The gutter space does not really have a lot of meaning, it just shows how a little time has passed. The speech bubbles are what you would normally think of speech bubbles. This is an overall great graphic novel.
July 31, 2011
Joann Sfar is a genius! This is one of the best children's books ever. Beautifully drawn and wildly imaginative. The stories are exciting and fun, it has that "anything can happen" feel to it with just the right amount of values to go with it. Sfar cannot help but putting a bit of himself in one of the characters: Michael, the little vampire's best friend is clearly a young Joann Sfar. I wish I would have read this as a kid. Can't wait for more...
March 29, 2018
Awesome. A little vampire decides he wants to go to school; the boy who sits at his desk during the day is shocked to find his homework already done, so he tracks down and befriends Little Vampire. The duo, with Little Vampire's red ghost dog Phantomato, rescue dogs, learn kung-fu and engage in mischief with the monsters. It's funny, it's charming, and it's excellently drawn. Definitely a winner for kids and those of us who sometimes wish we still were.;)
May 12, 2008
This is one of the titles I included on my RIEMA presentation last month. I think it's a lot of fun and the illustrations are wonderful as are the characters. Little Vampire just wants to have the life of someone who is alive so he makes friends with a boy and begins to do normal activities but during the night.
September 29, 2008
Little Vampire makes friends with a human, helps fight a bully, and saves a group of make-up animal test dogs. This is a weird comic. It is aimed at children, but it is very dark at points. The boy in the story at one point says he's an athiest, and he also tells his grandfather that he wants to shoot up everyone in his school...very un-PC, and I like it.
November 3, 2008
And yet another great offering from First Second by the very unique and quirky Joann Sfar, whose "The Rabbi's Cat" is a great adult graphic novel. All about a charming vampire boy, his human buddy Michael, and the outlandish denizens of a haunted house who watch over the children along with Michael's tolerant grandparents.
April 21, 2009
This is a cute graphic novel series that starts with a little vampire who just wants to go to school. It has monsters, vampires, ghosts and more. There is a character obsessed with poop and a rude dog that I think would make a great Family Guy character. I can't wait to book talk this to a boy. Grades 4+ but not for a sensative kid.
September 19, 2010
I liked this one better than Sardine in Outer Space, feeling that the art worked a little better and that the pacing of the storyline was more appropriate. Still not one of my favourite funny graphic novels though- it just didn't grab me the way I would have expected it to- but at found it engaging enough to make it to the end.
October 31, 2011
I love Joan Sfar's drawing and storytelling sensibility. This short graphic novel is aimed for children, it tells three stories of a little vampire living in a house of ghosts and other ghouls who befriends a local orphaned Jewish boy. Each story unfolds as an adventure but ends with a distinct moral.
October 16, 2015
A delightfully dark children's comic. This is a collection of three stories, and while I enjoyed them all I thought that the first two had a bit more all ages appeal. It might just have been because I was reaching the end of the book, but the last one felt the least appealing to me as an adult; this was despite the fact that I had already read the first story once as a separate picture book.
February 27, 2013
มีแปลเป็นภาษาไทย แต่หายากนิดนึง ภาพสวยจินตนาการดี เป็นหนังสือเด็กที่สวยให้ภาพและจินตนาการที่แปลก แตกต่างแก่เด็กๆได้ดี ผมชอบให้ลูกๆดูหนังสือที่มีภากสวยๆ แปลกๆ ไม่เหมือนใคร แนะนำเล่มนี้เลยครับ ลูกสาวสองคนชอบมาก ยิ่งมีเป็นหนังการ์ตูนด้วย ยิ่งสนุก และได้อรรถรสไม่ต่างจากหนังสือเลย
March 22, 2008
Very funny. Probably too sophisticated for most elementary school-aged readers...I'll re-read before I decide whether it will live in my classroom or at home.
June 1, 2008
soo cute! i love joann sfar, and my love for him transcends any hate i have for vampires.
January 10, 2009
I liked this more than originally planned.
January 5, 2009
One Sentence Review: I am a Sfar fan to the marrow of my bones but I have found that unless he is writing for adults his books err a little too far into Itchy and Scratchy territory for my liking.
Read
December 20, 2009as vampires are a recent topic, am posting a few faves. i most deeply love the pirate's oath and what monsters love in this one. the illustrations are superb!
Read
February 19, 2010fun 3-part book
January 12, 2011
Clever and cute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews