Introduce Your Kids to Dracula and Frankenstein with the Kid Classics
I’m a very big fan of book sets or collections - like the famous Great Illustrated Classics collection for kids. I’m a sucker for new releases in children’s books that promise to be the start of a new tradition - with eye-catching cover art and matching spines that look nice together side by side. I’m sorry, I just can’t help myself.
Because of this weakness of mine, I recently completed our collection of the Great Illustrated Classics. It really is one of the all-time great collections for a kids library. But, as much as I really do love them, even I have to admit that their basic black-and-white illustrations leave a bit to be desired, and that their choices of novels didn’t always seem to have kids in mind. Great Expectations for my 8-year-old? Probably not.
So when I first saw the announcement this year for brand new editions of Dracula and Frankenstein - published by Whalen Book Works, abridged by Margaret Novak, and illustrated by Maïté Schmitt - I was ecstatic when I noticed that they were also the first books christened with the name of a new series: “Kids Classics” or “The Illustrated Just-For-Kids Edition.” I immediately thought this looked like prime collecting material - and, yes, their colorful spines do look great side by side!
Disclosure: The publisher shared copies of Dracula and Frankenstein with us with no expectation of such an article. We write about the things we love and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
And I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that the timing is wonderful for new editions of Dracula and Frankenstein. September is winding down and it’s officially time for spooky season. October might very well be my favorite month of the year, and it’s because of wonderful opportunities exactly like the one that these new books provide - the opportunity to share spooky stories at bedtime with my kids, and just generally celebrate the Halloween spirit.
And when reflecting on what I said about the old Great Illustrated Classics and their black-and-white illustrations, it’s obvious that the bright and colorful illustrations in these books make a huge difference. Generally speaking the pictures are also much more detailed, and much more frequent as well. And that’s not just more appealing for kids - it also just makes the whole package that much nicer. It’s like pulling the Great Illustrated Classics into the modern age, and I for one wouldn’t complain if the complete set grew just as big.
Among the illustrations, both books also feature a stunning map on the endpapers, detailing the whereabouts of all of the main settings of the stories. And I sincerely hope that becomes a staple of this series, because my son and I both really love the maps. He particularly likes to study them after finishing the stories, perhaps as a way to retrace what happened in his mind.
And the maps on the endpapers is a good segue into another important point - these books were crafted with a lot of attention to detail and charm. And that’s always an important thing to note - especially when you’re talking about a series of books that’s meant to be collected. Other than the bonus maps, the nicest feature of the books might be their covers, which feature a very attractive raised and glossy print - with texture you can feel. Each story also begins with a nice history of the work, and end with a convenient cast of characters. All in all, I hope this series lasts for a long time, because I’d love to have many more of the world’s best books receive exactly the same treatment.
We’re at a point in our family - especially with our 8-year-old son - where illustrated and abridged versions of classics are absolutely perfect for us. And all the better that they’re illustrated with a beautiful, cartoony style like this, because our son is very much into graphic novels at the moment as well. We’ve been reading to our kids out loud since they were born, but we’re truly in the sweet spot right now - where kid-friendly versions of the classics fit like a glove. It’s an exciting juncture between read-alouds and independent reading where I’m just so excited to share amazing books like this with him.
And, I have to say, I’m personally having a blast with these first 2 books. Cuddling up to read these scary stories to my son for the first time - right in the run up to Halloween no less - has been a lot of fun for me. And, I feel embarrassed to admit it, but I honestly believe it’s my first time actually finishing these 2 classics as well - abridged or not. Please don’t make me turn in my scary things fan club card!
My son really loved Dracula a lot. The epistolary style of the book is a lot of fun and something that certainly stands out as unique compared to most books. And he adored the details of fighting vampires. He’s the kind of guy that can really obsess over the interesting and exciting details of new information - and something like learning the weaknesses of vampires is right up his alley. He particularly liked the character of Van Helsing, and, in a wonderful example of cosmic coincidence, we received a copy of the funny and awesome graphic novel Ham Helsing shortly after reading Dracula.
Frankenstein and Dracula are the perfect books to begin this new tradition of Kid Classics. They’re legitimately exciting and original adventures that capture the imagination. Although of course I’m biased as a fan of all-things scary. They certainly knew how to get me hooked at least! And I look forward to finding out what’s next for the Kid Classics. I need many more handsome and colorful spines to line up next to these on the bookshelf! And I won’t complain if they have any more spooky classics up their sleeves.
Do you have a weakness for collecting children’s book collections like me? Have you read Dracula or Frankenstein to the kids yet? Let us know in the comments!
