The Little Vampire
#1 of 8 in Der kleine Vampir Series
What’s inside...
An unlikely friendship forms between a young boy named Tony and a vampire called Rudolph in this sweet and funny first book in the classic middle grade Little Vampire series—newly translated from the original German. Tony, who loves ghosts and horror stories, gets a fright when Rudolph flies in his window one night. After an initial scare, the two become fast friends, and Tony even visits the little vampire’s family vault in the graveyard. However, things get complicated when Tony's parents invite Rudolph for dinner, leaving readers wondering what will happen next.
Character compass
Anton Bohnsack
RüDiger Von Schlotterstein
Anna Von Schlotterstein
Geiermeier
Lumpi Von Schlotterstein
Discussion points
How do you think the little vampire feels about being different from humans?
What would you do if you met someone who was different from everyone else you knew?
Why is friendship important, even if our friends are different from us?
What are some ways the little vampire shows kindness to others?
How do the characters in the book change from the beginning to the end?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and curious tone when asking these questions to make your child feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Relate the questions to your child’s experiences, such as times when they felt different or met someone new.
Encourage your child to think about personal feelings and connections to the characters' decisions and actions in the story.
Discuss the importance of accepting and celebrating differences, drawing examples from the book.
Praise your child for their insights and thoughts to encourage deeper reflection and discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The Little Vampire showcases the friendship between a human and a vampire, emphasizing understanding and acceptance of differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of empathizing with others who may appear different, promoting inclusivity and tolerance in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: The protagonist faces fears and stands up to challenges throughout the story, demonstrating acts of bravery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to confront their own fears and challenges in life, teaching them the value of courage in overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights the strong bond between the characters despite their differences, underlining the value of true friendship.
Real-World Application: Children understand the importance of building and maintaining friendships, learning to value and trust their friends in various situations.