KEVIN THE VAMPIRE | Kirkus Reviews

A stitched-together creature discovers his purpose.

Fulbert Freakfinder’s Traveling Carnival of Unnatural Wonders has arrived in the village of Grubbers Nubbin, but the show doesn’t wow the jaded audience. Suddenly, howls fill the air, sending the villagers scurrying indoors, and Freakfinder follows the sounds to a dark castle on a hill. Meanwhile, in the castle, Stitch Head, the first creation of Mad Professor Erasmus, hides in the rafters, forgotten for decades, watching his maker animate yet another almost-alive creature. As with past endeavors, Stitch Head is prepared to stop this new creation from bringing harm to the village—and to keep the villagers from destroying the castle in revenge. Freakfinder soon arrives to find new wonders for his carnival, and Stitch Head must decide if he wants to find fame with the carnival or take a chance at new friendships in the castle where he’s lived a lonely life protecting the best friend who forgot him. Young readers looking to move beyond early chapter books will enjoy this silly, creepy story, while older readers will recognize the deeper themes of loneliness, friendship, being forgotten, and looking beyond the surface to discover that the real monsters are sometimes human. Reminiscent of Edward Gorey’s and Charles Addams’ art, the dynamic black-and white illustrations convey characters’ emotions and offer fun details. Human characters are pale-skinned in Williamson’s art.

A cutely grotesque tale with thrills and heart.

(Fiction. 7-10)