Another example of a book that had great potential and yet it was lacking.

Another example of a book that lacked a plot (Vlad just wants to skateboard but his job is scare school). So the "end resolution", in my mind, was a bit lame.

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Vlad was a young vampire with a love of skateboarding. Unfortunately, Miss Fussbucket, the headmistress of his school (Miss Fussbucket's School for Aspiring Spooks), did not approve. After one too many skateboarding confrontation in the hallways, she forbade Vlad from continuing while on school premises. Then a visit to the local natural history museum, and Vlad's skateboarding exploits, convinced her that the activity had great spooky potential...

Having enjoyed Brigitte Barrager's colorful illustrations in such magical titles as Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Uni the Unicorn and Stephanie Clarkson's Sleeping Cinderella and Other Princess Mix-Ups, I picked up Vlad the Rad - Barrager's first venture as both author and illustrator - with interest. All in all I found it engaging, and think readers who enjoy spooky but humorous picture-books will likewise find it entertaining. I don't know that I was completely won over by it, or that it will go on to become a favorite, but readers looking for new picture-books featuring skateboarders and/or monsters might want to give this one a try. ( )