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The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids Graphic Novels #1
Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots: A Graphix Chapters Book
All is not what it seems at Bailey Elementary in the first graphic novel adaptation of this classic chapter book series.
The third graders at Bailey Elementary are so hard to handle that all of their teachers have quit. But their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, is different -- to say the least. She's just moved from the Transylvanian Alps into a spooky old house in Bailey City. She wears a mysterious brooch that glows as green as her eyes. Could Mrs. Jeepers be a vampire?
Featuring a beloved story by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones and fresh, funny artwork by Academy Award winner Pearl Low, Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots brings the Bailey School Kids into the graphic novel format for the first time.
Graphix series are ideal books for even the youngest readers. With funny, simple text, unforgettable characters, illustrations that support comprehension, and approachable story lengths, these books grow newly independent readers' confidence and turn them into lifelong book lovers!
The third graders at Bailey Elementary are so hard to handle that all of their teachers have quit. But their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, is different -- to say the least. She's just moved from the Transylvanian Alps into a spooky old house in Bailey City. She wears a mysterious brooch that glows as green as her eyes. Could Mrs. Jeepers be a vampire?
Featuring a beloved story by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones and fresh, funny artwork by Academy Award winner Pearl Low, Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots brings the Bailey School Kids into the graphic novel format for the first time.
Graphix series are ideal books for even the youngest readers. With funny, simple text, unforgettable characters, illustrations that support comprehension, and approachable story lengths, these books grow newly independent readers' confidence and turn them into lifelong book lovers!
78 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
65 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 22, 2021
the Bailey School Kids were probably the reason i got into reading when i was a kid (though i usually credit that to the Everest series by Gordon Korman), theyre fun little stories about a group of friends trying to determine who is and who is not supernatural in their small town/school. While i don’t remember the actual plot of any of the original stories (i vaguely have memories of the kids in a cave??), the formula for the stories is pretty self explanatory and i was excited to get back into the world after years of never seeing this fun little group.
The graphic novel is, i would say, probably for younger readers than the original stories. It was a fairly surface level story that i read in 15 minutes, but i had a great time! I loved seeing the characters i grew up with drawn to life, and their outfits changed for different school days!! I also loved a small scene with Melody where she tells Eddie “you do NOT have permission to touch my hair”. Not sure if that was part of the original story or not, but I really liked the subtle messaging in this story.
My only issue with the book is the ending, but that’s mostly because i don’t remember the original ending for this story! Will there be more of Mrs. Jeepers? Was that the end of her story? What was with her brooch? Anyway, i would like to reread the original series if i can ever get my little possum hands on them, but until then i will be waiting for more of these babies to come out!
The graphic novel is, i would say, probably for younger readers than the original stories. It was a fairly surface level story that i read in 15 minutes, but i had a great time! I loved seeing the characters i grew up with drawn to life, and their outfits changed for different school days!! I also loved a small scene with Melody where she tells Eddie “you do NOT have permission to touch my hair”. Not sure if that was part of the original story or not, but I really liked the subtle messaging in this story.
My only issue with the book is the ending, but that’s mostly because i don’t remember the original ending for this story! Will there be more of Mrs. Jeepers? Was that the end of her story? What was with her brooch? Anyway, i would like to reread the original series if i can ever get my little possum hands on them, but until then i will be waiting for more of these babies to come out!
August 4, 2021
The Bailey Elementary School third graders were not likable characters. They forced their previous teacher to quit with their mean pranks and planned to force their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, to quit as well. Eddie and Melody declined Mrs. Jeepers' invitation to visit her home and instead snuck into her basement late one night. They suffered no consequences for their trespassing. It made me feel uncomfortable that Mrs. Jeepers invited her students into her home in the first place.
I wished there were a conclusion to this novel. It was not directly stated whether or not Mrs. Jeepers was a vampire. I wished the students had solved the mystery and either determined that Mrs. Jeepers was a vampire or found some logical explanations for why she behaved like one. I loved the Bailey School Kids series as a child, but was ultimately disappointed when reading this graphic adaptation as an adult.
I wished there were a conclusion to this novel. It was not directly stated whether or not Mrs. Jeepers was a vampire. I wished the students had solved the mystery and either determined that Mrs. Jeepers was a vampire or found some logical explanations for why she behaved like one. I loved the Bailey School Kids series as a child, but was ultimately disappointed when reading this graphic adaptation as an adult.
December 30, 2021
I love the original Bailey School Kids books, but I did not care for this new graphic novel. The art style is too cutesy. And is it just me or is there an added character here? I don't remember this character at all, and they barely say two words in the graphic novel. It was confusing for me at first because I'm so used to just those core characters. Anyway, I wish this had gotten a better graphic novel like Magic Tree House did. The Bailey School Kids deserve more. Still, I'm giving it two stars for staying close to the original story. I just wish the art style was different.
February 14, 2024
I wasn't much impressed with the original Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots, but I love graphic novels so I thought I'd see if adding more pictures might help the story.
Nope.
I still don't like the bully being at the center of the story or the ambiguity of the ending.
Meh.
Nope.
I still don't like the bully being at the center of the story or the ambiguity of the ending.
Meh.
August 10, 2021
I know I'm no longer the target demo for this series but I have super fond memories of these books and the graphic novel just didn't live up to them
February 14, 2024
Dear lord this art is awful
September 24, 2021
The students of Bailey Elementary School are getting a new teacher.
One of their classmates likes to act out, but their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, just has to rub her green brooch she wears and things may change.
She may also be a vampire, but vampires don't wear polka dots, do they?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Debbie Dadey's long-standing youth mystery series has been rebooted for a new generation in Graphic Novel format. Pearl Low illustrates the kids younger than I remember them being, but I could be wrong. I often remember recesses spent DEVOURING the latest Bailey School Kids mystery. If you aren't familiar with the series, the premise is that a new adult (with a new job) somewhere in town, resembles or exhibits traits of a fantastical, spooky or legendary figure (Leprechauns, Banshees, Dracula, Ghosts, Merlin, Mermaids, Santa, etc.) in jobs that you definitely wouldn't see them in, but the kids set out to prove that the adult is the figure of myth or horror they are, but do they succeed? That's always the twist, which is the exciting part, as the books build up all the reasons why YES, they are, but...are they?
The downside of this novelization of the Bailey School Kids is that it cut out a lot of the suspense and more than two reasons why Mrs. Jeepers is or isn't who she appears to be, but for a generation unfamiliar with the books, it will be a quick, fun and just slightly spooky read, with fun illustrations.
One of their classmates likes to act out, but their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, just has to rub her green brooch she wears and things may change.
She may also be a vampire, but vampires don't wear polka dots, do they?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Debbie Dadey's long-standing youth mystery series has been rebooted for a new generation in Graphic Novel format. Pearl Low illustrates the kids younger than I remember them being, but I could be wrong. I often remember recesses spent DEVOURING the latest Bailey School Kids mystery. If you aren't familiar with the series, the premise is that a new adult (with a new job) somewhere in town, resembles or exhibits traits of a fantastical, spooky or legendary figure (Leprechauns, Banshees, Dracula, Ghosts, Merlin, Mermaids, Santa, etc.) in jobs that you definitely wouldn't see them in, but the kids set out to prove that the adult is the figure of myth or horror they are, but do they succeed? That's always the twist, which is the exciting part, as the books build up all the reasons why YES, they are, but...are they?
The downside of this novelization of the Bailey School Kids is that it cut out a lot of the suspense and more than two reasons why Mrs. Jeepers is or isn't who she appears to be, but for a generation unfamiliar with the books, it will be a quick, fun and just slightly spooky read, with fun illustrations.
August 18, 2021
I loved The Bailey School Kids books as a kid and read every single one that was available in my school, but Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots was definitely my favourite of the series. While the graphic novel isn’t as in-depth with the story it’s still going to be a little fun creepy story for young readers and hopefully get them excited about reading and want to pick up the original stories.
December 30, 2021
It was an amazing story. It was a mystery and at the end it just made me want the second one to come out already.
February 4, 2022
I absolutely loved The Bailey School Kids upon growing up and was thrilled they’re making it into a graphic novel series. Like others in their reviews I was a little disappointed by the book. It was a super quick read. I read the entire thing in about 15 minutes and that made the cost of the book not worth it. It is probably meant for younger kids than the original series and it was super simplified and the art was a little too simplified and cheesy. This will probably be the only copy I buy for my 4th graders.
November 9, 2025
I have to preface that the original Bailey School Kids series To Me can be a little hit and miss, and this is one of the stories I consider a miss. I feel like the first book isn't great, mostly because all we know is that these kids are horrible enough to scare away all of their other teachers, and they try to do the same thing to Mrs. Jeepers. The art is fine, this wasn't much different from the original for me.
October 4, 2021
Obsessed with these books as a kid. This adaptation has minimal text and perfect spookiness for a 3rd grader :)
July 20, 2024
The story is fine, it's the boring generic graphics that I object to. When making a book into a graphic novel it's paramount to have good graphics, or else what's the point?!
June 28, 2022
The Bailey school kids is a classic beginning chapter book series for kids it has been around for decades. Just recently they started to turn the classic books into a graphic novel series coming out a scholastic called graphics. The graphics are fine and lovely kids will see them and enjoy them. However the graphic novels turn the kids into little snot that are really quite annoying where in the chapter books they are precocious and curious and not necessarily obnoxious but in the book they’re obnoxious so for me this is it A total fail it’s not bad but not something I would gravitate to or probably recommend. If you want a good beginning chapter graphic novel choose Cleo in Fritz automatic treehouse
October 11, 2022
The Bailey School Kids is what got me reading chapter books and fantasy when I was a kid. While this was super cute, I do think that the story is a bit too short and incomplete in comparison to the original. However, it is just as fun as I remembered!
May 23, 2022
Cute book.
July 25, 2023
The illustrations were fantastic in this graphic novel. Unfortunately, the story was fast and the ending was unsatisfying. I’m not sure how the original chapter book ended but I am not sure kid would want to pick up this series.
October 7, 2021
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
November 10, 2021
After scaring away their previous teacher, the Bailey School kids get a new one named Mrs. Jeepers. The Bailey School Kids excel in the art of not listening and expect to chase this one off just like the others. But there's something different about Mrs. Jeepers. Something creepy. Not to mention she has a coffin in her house. However, vampires don't wear polka dots and Mrs. Jeepers does, so she can't be a vampire. Soon, the children find themselves up against the unexplainable and realize there's more to Mrs. Jeepers than the typical school teacher.
When I saw the Bailey School Kids series was getting turned into graphic novels, I knew I had to check it out. These stories were so popular when I was younger and it's nice to see them getting a second life. As expected with a graphic novel, the story isn't as in-depth but the details are in the pictures. The illustrator brings life to these classic novels and the art style she uses is on point with the overall theme. The dark colors, like purple and slime green, give that creepy feel and I love the amulet in the end, but hate how it cut off. I found myself hoping for more so can't wait to see what else Pearl Low has in store for us.
Final Verdict: VAMPIRES DON'T WEAR POLKA DOTS is a comedic graphic novel with a chilling setting and creepy vibe. I would recommend this to fans of vampires, the classic Bailey School Kids, and to children who love graphic novels.
When I saw the Bailey School Kids series was getting turned into graphic novels, I knew I had to check it out. These stories were so popular when I was younger and it's nice to see them getting a second life. As expected with a graphic novel, the story isn't as in-depth but the details are in the pictures. The illustrator brings life to these classic novels and the art style she uses is on point with the overall theme. The dark colors, like purple and slime green, give that creepy feel and I love the amulet in the end, but hate how it cut off. I found myself hoping for more so can't wait to see what else Pearl Low has in store for us.
Final Verdict: VAMPIRES DON'T WEAR POLKA DOTS is a comedic graphic novel with a chilling setting and creepy vibe. I would recommend this to fans of vampires, the classic Bailey School Kids, and to children who love graphic novels.
August 4, 2022
The kids of Bailey Elementary are back in this graphic novel adaptation of the first chapter book series. When a new teacher arrives, the kids of her class are ready for mischief. But something about this woman makes them hesitate. With her green eyes, and almost hypnotic words, could she be a vampire? Surely not, because everyone knows vampires don't wear polka dots! Like the original, this graphic novel leans into the ambiguity and a child's imagination, although, by the end, the images make one answer more likely. Still the entire premise has not faded. Adults are mysterious to children, they have powers that could be misconstrued as supernatural....or they truly do have supernatural powers. As readers are meant to ask questions of reality, the functionary, everyday style of art that is popular in childrens graphic memoirs suits the purpose. It does have quite a few talking heads with single colour backgrounds, but as this is meant for growing readers, the simpler art, and shorter dialogue will make it easier to engage with. While the basic personalities of the kids are introduced, they aren't developed except through the lesson. It's best not to mess with teachers, vampire or otherwise.
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June 12, 2022I was super excited about this because I read the original series when I was a kid, but I'm not convinced that this works as a graphic novel. It's so spare it feels like it's missing an introduction, and it struggles with not knowing whether it takes place in the original 90s setting or today, so instead it lands in this weird middle ground that just feels uncomfortable because lifestyles and the relative freedom kids enjoyed when I was young compared to the "my precious 16-year-old can't stay home alone after school" parenting of today are just not compatible. It reminds me of when Lois Duncan tried to update her books by updating absolutely nothing except sprinkling in mentions of "internet" and "cell phones," which doesn't work because time changes culture, not just technology. Anyway, I recently reread one of the original books and I think it stands up and is charming and fun for today's kids, but this new version oddly feels more awkward than reading a literally dated book.
October 2, 2021
I read the original book a million years ago, and the only thing I could remember was the coffin in the basement. So as soon as I found out there was a graphic novel version, I jumped right on finding a copy of the library.
This book was much, much younger than I expected. I don't know if the original was a beginner chapter book, but this was very much an early reader graphic novel. It was a very basic story, a simple plot, and no real conclusion. The characters were nondescript, the artwork simple. It's definitely something to give to the younger readers, or someone very reluctant to pick up a chapter book; I can see the story being of interest to them.
It almost seems unfair for me to give this two stars, since it wasn't a bad book or anything. I just didn't overly enjoy it, but I can definitely see it being a hit with kids.
This book was much, much younger than I expected. I don't know if the original was a beginner chapter book, but this was very much an early reader graphic novel. It was a very basic story, a simple plot, and no real conclusion. The characters were nondescript, the artwork simple. It's definitely something to give to the younger readers, or someone very reluctant to pick up a chapter book; I can see the story being of interest to them.
It almost seems unfair for me to give this two stars, since it wasn't a bad book or anything. I just didn't overly enjoy it, but I can definitely see it being a hit with kids.
December 23, 2023
2 stars (It was okay)
I loved the Baily School Kids when I was younger. However, I don't really remember the plot, just that I liked the books. I have since read book 2 and 3 of the graphic novel adaptations, not realizing I didn't read the first one. I really enjoyed number 3, (Ghosts Don't Eat Potato Chips, especially because the supernatural elements were explained at the end.
With this one, nothing is explained. I ended the book muttering "what the" to myself. Now I really want to go back and read the originals!
Just went to look at the Goodreads profile for the novel, which I apparently read in 2022 when this graphic novel adaptation first came out, and nothing was explained at the end of it either. Weird!
I loved the Baily School Kids when I was younger. However, I don't really remember the plot, just that I liked the books. I have since read book 2 and 3 of the graphic novel adaptations, not realizing I didn't read the first one. I really enjoyed number 3, (Ghosts Don't Eat Potato Chips, especially because the supernatural elements were explained at the end.
With this one, nothing is explained. I ended the book muttering "what the" to myself. Now I really want to go back and read the originals!
Just went to look at the Goodreads profile for the novel, which I apparently read in 2022 when this graphic novel adaptation first came out, and nothing was explained at the end of it either. Weird!
January 1, 2022
The Bailey school kids is a classic beginning chapter book series for kids it has been around for decades. Just recently they started to turn the classic books into a graphic novel series coming out a scholastic called graphics. The graphics are fine and lovely kids will see them and enjoy them. However the graphic novels turn the kids into little snot that are really quite annoying where in the chapter books they are precocious and curious and not necessarily obnoxious but in the book they’re obnoxious so for me this is it A total fail it’s not bad but not something I would gravitate to or probably recommend. If you want a good beginning chapter graphic novel choose Cleo in Fritz automatic treehouse
September 6, 2021
The 8-year-old I babysit for absolutely loved this book - she excitedly read me the entire book out loud while we were practicing vocabulary and she loved explaining which kids were being mean and who just had overactive imaginations! She adores graphic novels and while she will tackle some chapter books, she devours books like this, which I think is wonderful. So she has no idea about the early Bailey Kids books, but if I can find mine in the attic I'll definitely introduce them to her. All the universal charm of the series is still there, along with the light messages of compassion, so if you have a reluctant reader on your hands, give this a try!
November 28, 2022
Pearl Low is an extremely accomplished artist, having worked on an Oscar winning film. It seems like an odd career move to illustrate a middle grade graphic novel, but her art style breathes new life in this 30-year-old story. Low's illustrations help the abridged tale move along seamlessly.
Hopefully this will help more kids discover the Baily School Kids chapter books.
In my review of the chapter book a few months ago, I wasn't keen on the fact they break into their teacher's basement, but I understand its place in child paranormal fantasy now.
Also I don't know how they got a picture of me for the updated Mrs. Jeepers, but they nailed my fashion sense.
Hopefully this will help more kids discover the Baily School Kids chapter books.
In my review of the chapter book a few months ago, I wasn't keen on the fact they break into their teacher's basement, but I understand its place in child paranormal fantasy now.
Also I don't know how they got a picture of me for the updated Mrs. Jeepers, but they nailed my fashion sense.
July 12, 2023
I randomly decided to try and remember “what series was that vampires don’t do something”. I’m not entirely sure I read The Bailey Kids series, but as a young voracious reader I’m sure I did. That’s how I learned they’ve been adapting some of the stories into graphic novels! I would say I’ve certainly read better middle grade graphic novels. But I loved the art and colors. Dialogue was VERY light, and would likely appeal to early middle grade readers. Still a fun read and a chance to bring these stories back for new readers.
November 30, 2021
Well this definitely was not the most quality of literature by any means but it was entertaining to reminisce my childhood with this adaptation.
It is definitely a VERY quick read (read it in like ten minutes) but would be good for a younger or not-so-strong reader. I would recommend it to those kids.
Also, I think they changed some of the ethnicities of the kids. I don't hate it. And yes, I may read more of them to see how they progress. After writing this review I'll say it's a high 3.
It is definitely a VERY quick read (read it in like ten minutes) but would be good for a younger or not-so-strong reader. I would recommend it to those kids.
Also, I think they changed some of the ethnicities of the kids. I don't hate it. And yes, I may read more of them to see how they progress. After writing this review I'll say it's a high 3.
October 3, 2022
Never heard of this series before. It was a very short graphic novel of Fear The New Person/Stranger who becomes their teacher. Are kids really that bratty and obnoxious to TRY to pull pranks? I feel this is an outdated plot device that should probably retire and leave. Like any helicopter parent with just above poverty-level income would let their kid escape their Rings and camera-monitored homes/neighborhoods and not know about it.
June 16, 2025
J (5 stars) - I like how she hypnotized Eddie and I think having a vampire teacher might be cool and I like how when they saw the coffin they heard a "THUMP THUMP THUMP" and I like the cover and I also liked how Ben was like "have you forgotten how to do pranks" and then Eddie tripped him. I also really really really really loved it.
S (5 stars) - It. Was. Brilliant. It was so amazing! I loved the whole entire words.
S (5 stars) - It. Was. Brilliant. It was so amazing! I loved the whole entire words.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews