Vampenguin

by Lucy Ruth Cummins

From the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of A Hungry Lion and Stumpkin comes a charming, wryly humorous story of adventure, mistaken identity, and a vampire family’s day at the zoo.

On a Saturday morning, baby Dracula visits the zoo with his family, where baby Penguin lives with hers. But these intrepid young adventurers are not content with staying in their proper places.

Instead, baby Dracula slips into the Penguin House to spend the day eating, swimming, and hanging around, while baby Penguin waddles into the stroller to explore the rest of the zoo. Dracula’s family doesn’t even notice the switch—will they bring the right baby home?

Observant and adventurous young readers will love this tale of the shenanigans that happen when parents’ backs are turned.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Animals, Vampires, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published July 20, 2021

About the author

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director. She is the executive art director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers where she has worked for two decades on picture books, middle grade books, and young adult novels. She also manages a team of talented art directors and designers.

Lucy made her critically acclaimed debut as an author and illustrator with A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin, Vampenguin, and Our Pool.

She is the illustrator of several books written by other authors, including Truman, written by Jean Reidy; Sounds Like School Spirit, written by Meg Fleming; and The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures, by Curtis Manning. She is also the author of Sleepy Sheepy, and Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover, illustrated by Pete Oswald.

Lucy’s books have been chosen as Publisher’s Weekly Best Books, NPR Best Books, New York Times Best Children’s Books, and have also been celebrated with both Irma Black honors, and a Governor General’s award honor. Her books can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and preferably at Indie Bound or your own local bookstore! And of course she’s always thrilled if you check her out from the library.

Born in Canada, she is the youngest of six children, and her family lived in an actual log cabin. She grew up in Cortland, New York, and she now lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York. Her favorite food is the french fry.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustration style and the communication between the animals and toddler were cute.
Humor is mostly reliant on disparity between text and illustration and I found it mildly amusing but not really funny. Ymmv.

"Vampire" here just means looks-like-Lugosi-as-Dracula. I.e. a person with their hair slicked back and wearing the vernacular "penguin suit." I admit I was hoping for more from the concept, like the penguin getting turned into a vampire a la Bunnicula, or a vampire who turned into a penguin instead of a bat.

3.5 stars

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable story about the vampire family visiting the zoo, and having a lovely time . . . although not as lovely as their youngest child, who switches places with a penguin. I just love picture books where the pictures tell a different story from the words! And this is so well done! There's something so appealing about the shape of the penguins and the shape of the vampires . . .

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea of a little vampire switching places with a wee bitty penguin is brilliant. The word alone—Vampenguin—is full of imagination and fun. I’ve been waiting and waiting for this book ever since I saw the title. The fact Lucy Ruth Cummins created it upped the anticipation even more. Her Stumpkin is one of my favorite Halloween reads. But sadly I felt more disappointment here than joy.

The Dracula family is off to the zoo for the day. They visit and view exhibits, dens, and enclosures galore. Lions, elephants, and bears! But what mom and dad Dracula don’t realize is that their vampire baby switched places with a penguin at the very start of the day. Oblivious parents and zookeepers don’t notice the difference, but some see the switch along the way. Readers will get a kick out of knowing and seeing something the characters don’t.

So why the disappointment? It’s the tone. Why show so many negative aspects? We see the long lines, lack of animal sightings, and traffic. If there was a joke there, I didn’t see it. It just made some pages feel very negative instead of fun to me.

Some smiles and fun can be found here—like the giant polar bear spotting the switcheroo and the little vampire hanging upside down with the penguins. The art really steals the show. Cuteness and color bring every page alive. I loved the colors! But overall, I didn’t have as much fun at the zoo as I thought I would.

I’ll forever be on the lookout for illustrations and books by Lucy Ruth Cummins though. Nothing will change that!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Dracula family visits the zoo in this humorous picture-book from author/illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins, their youngest member changes places with one of the penguins for the day. Although the switch remains unnoticed by the vampires, the penguins are more alert, and so will the reader be, picking up on the many discrepancies between the textual description of each scene, and the reality depicted in the artwork...

Although I have read and enjoyed a number of Cummins' other picture-books, both those written by her and those written by other authors, I was unaware of Vampenguin until seeing it reviewed by an online friend late last year. Thankfully, my library request arrived promptly, and I was able to read it. I enjoyed it, particularly the humor of the textual/visual disconnect, and the way in which all of the zoo animals are immediately able to spot the penguin, when the Draculas cannot. That said, I think I agree with my friend, in feeling like there was potential for a deeper story here, one about an actual penguin vampire. Perhaps this was too much to expect, given that I think Cummins is a stronger artist than she is a storyteller. Still, leaving that aside, this was still a fun little romp, and is one I would recommend to picture-book readers looking for stories about vampires, zoos, penguins, and/or the idea of perception vs. reality.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute. A little vampire and a cute penguin switching places to explore the zoo in an entirely new way. Very imaginative and kids are going to love this.

Just don’t try this at home.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A most unusual penguin story. What happens when a young vampire's family visits the zoo and their youngest child switches places with one of the penguins from the penguin exhibit?

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. Fine. I get that your child's widow's peak definitely make them look like a penguin but ... HOW ARE YOU OUT IN THE SUN VAMPIRE FAMILY?

Ahem.

I have read this book and still have questions.

[Lori Tart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clever and detailed picture book that makes you look twice at every illustration with a hilarious switch-a-roo that makes you laugh as well.

[Rachel]

The MOST sarcasm I've ever encountered in a children's book: which must make it a fun, snarky read for the adults. I'm just not sure how much kids who can't understand sarcasm would enjoy it.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't miss the story within the illustrations and compare them to what is being said in the text - often with hilarious results! Very fun!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Dracula family decide to spend a day at the zoo, there's more adventure in store than they realize-- the youngest of their cauldron decides to switch places with one of the resident penguins. No one is any the wiser of the penguin strapped into their stroller while the baby relaxes in the penguin house! Vampenguin is a fun, clever switcheroo tale with lovely illustrations from acclaimed author Lucy Ruth Cummins that you don't want to miss!

[Shaye Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dracula family goes to the zoo on a Saturday. What could go wrong? Thankfully, the “mix-up” works itself out and readers still got to enjoy the entire zoo. A fun little read for around Halloween. The illustrations were rendered in gouache and colored pencil, and finished with digital line.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't really a Halloween book, but then again...vampenguins. One Sunday morning, the Dracula family, dad, mom, and two kids, head out to the zoo. Their first stop is the dark, chilly penguin room, where the youngest member of the family slips out of the stroller and performs an unnoticed switcheroo - trading places with one of the penguins, who is then strapped into the stroller by the unsuspecting, distracted dad. The Dracula family leaves the penguins and spends the day visiting all the other zoo exhibits and even eating lunch, all without noticing the switch. Meanwhile, baby Dracula hangs out with the penguins, eating their fish lunch, splashing in the pool and just having a grand old time. Funny enough, visitors to the penguin house don't hang out there for very long once they notice baby Dracula. At the end of the day, when the family is getting ready to leave the zoo, they stop for a photo near the penguin house where baby Dracula pulls another unnoticed switcheroo - trading places with the penguin in the stroller. And thanks to clever text and illustrations, no one in the Dracula family is the wiser about the switches, which is one of the things that makes this book so good. Of course, readers will love being in on the joke. My young readers certainly were.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dracula family heads to the zoo where they rush to visit the penguins first thing. Unknown to the rest of the family, the toddler trades places with a penguin. While the family visits the other animal exhibits, the toddler enjoys his time with the penguins, although the penguins don't appreciate his taking all their fish. The animals they visit notice the problem, but the Dracula family does not. They even get their picture taken before leaving the zoo. The penguin and the child switch back without the boy's family having any idea what took place although what will happen when they see the photograph is anybody's guess. This rather amusing tales highlighted mostly in black and white share a rather amusing adventure that is bound to elicit giggles from young listeners.

[Sirah · Rating 3 out of 5]

One day, a family goes to the zoo. They see all their favorite exhibits and then they go home.

This book would be terrible as an audiobook. The narration is not clever at all. But the illustrations are quite humorous. I'm sad that the words didn't get more attention, as I think this book had a lot of potential that it just didn't live up to. Mostly I don't get why the family members were vampires?

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute premise. This is definitely worth reading twice, because I missed several things the first time, like the animals trying to point out the switcheroo, and the big stink in the penguin house. I also missed when the final switch happened.

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dracula family goes to the zoo. Baby Drac manages to trade places with a penguin for the duration of the visit, and life may never be quite the same.

I love the illustrations and the minimal use of color. Mrs. Dracula is a hoot.

[Roxanne (The Novel Sanctuary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a hoot

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a laugh-out-loud funny story. Great for a whole family, human, vampire, or penguin.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very cute. I LOVE penguins so I am bias.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the shenanigans! And how oblivious the vampire family is!

[Katie Banasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny! Me and a coworker read it together and were laughing out loud!

[Alex Richey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot going on in the background that makes this a fun one for parents, I imagine.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure little kids would get the jokes. Maybe they would.

[Ris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly sarcastic story.

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

1/25 Story was a little dull, but I enjoyed the playful art. Could've been more fun but the text contradicted the action, which I've never been a fan of.

[RG]

so fun and cute!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had been read this book as a child, I can guarantee it would be my whole personality to this day. The Dracula family takes a trip to the Zoo, and the youngest has the type of adventure every kid who has ever been to the New England Aquarium has dreamed of. This book is sure to make kids and grownups alike laugh out loud.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penguins lol like vampires