Everyone who thinks vampires can’t walk around in the sunlight will be surprised to meet Chuck, a red high-top wearing, self-aware do-gooder who happens to be a 642-year-old vampire stuck in an eleven-year-old’s body.
In the first book of what promises to be a series, Chuck: The Different Vampire learns of a special power that he alone possesses. If he is kind towards others, he can venture out of his warehouse and interact with people in the light of day. Educational Assistant Marla Paul-Merasty has crafted a sweet children’s story that is as entertaining as it is educational. Chuck teaches children the importance of manners, accepting differences, and helping those in need. Paul-Merasty includes educational tools in the back of the book, including an explanation of cerebral palsy, which may help to demystify this crippling disease and encourage understanding and tolerance in young readers. The bright full-page illustrations by Alan Margolis complement the text and are a beautiful representation of inner- city life.
Unfortunately, the morals conveyed in the text feel a bit heavy-handed and often lack finesse. Rather than working the lessons and themes into a more intricate surrounding plot, the morals (mainly kindness towards others) serve as the only story line. It’s also unclear why Paul- Merasty chose a vampire, even one as charming as Chuck, as the vehicle to steer her young readers toward living in a conscious and thoughtful way. One might assume that the ubiquity of vampires in popular culture has something to do with the choice.
Occasionally, basic questions are left unanswered. For example, if Chuck doesn’t drink blood, what does he eat? What do his parents think of Chuck’s kind attitude and aversion to blood? Readers may find themselves hoping for an answer to some of these questions and for a bit more refined storytelling in the volumes to come.
Three Stars (out of five)
ForeWord Reviews - Clarion Review
Colby Cedar Schoene
The overall purpose of the book seems to be about building character in children. The vampire in the story does not prey ruthlessly on others but instead it seems to thrive on doing good deeds. The reading level is at an elementary level and the illustrations are colorful. Although the book is geared for child’s reading enjoyment, a person of any age can enjoy it.
Olga McIvor
Research and Development
Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre Inc.
Excellent book, exhibits that it is ok to be different, and how helping others makes you feel good. Great examples of empathy, politeness, manners, etc. The explanations at the back of the book, would also be great resources for teachers to engage student dialogue and discussion.
Marlene Lenton
Literacy Specialty
Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre
I certainly enjoyed the book. An excellent story to teach children to accept differences…..
Lorne Keeper
Executive Director, MFNERC
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had plenty of examples of god manners, and using them can bring good feeling. I could see this book being used in schools for the younger grades. I like the fact that there is a cliff hanger at the end of the book-Opportunity to introduce perhaps another social skill. A hot topic right now is Bullying.
Loretta Sinclair, Speech and Language Pathologist
What great books to read-illustrations are so colorful and very easy to understand, ---there is so much in there---manners, respect, helping elders. Marla, Keep up the good work.
Sylvia Henwood, Special Education Specialist
I thought that it was a great book. In almost every page of the book chuck exhibits manners. What a great book to teach children a bit of cerebral palsy and the importance of having good manners. The actions of chuck in the book actually may serve as a better lesson for small readers on how to behave and treat our elders. The art work is great and I like the buildings of Winnipeg. Congratulations to Marla for delivering an incredible first book.
George Merasty, Chartered Accountant
The book was adorable. It is such a good idea to use a vampire or something meant to be “scary” to teach our children about manners and other issues. Today’s children are too preoccupied with video games and zombies. The author chose a great way to teach children about manners and how doing good things for others make us feel good inside. I also found it very helpful at the end of the book to explain what Cerebral Palsy is, I’m sure most kids wonder why some people are in wheelchairs. The sneakers on Chuck were too cute!
Deborah McKenzie
When in my home, my grandchildren are not allowed to watch movies with vampires, zombies etc. They know my concern for all the blood, gore and gratuitous violence. BUT Chuck is welcome in my house because he is a “DIFFERENT VAMPIRE”. He brings back good memories of my own grandparents, who taught us that kindness and respect, especially to older people “grows the goodness within ourselves” and can banish those things that are not so good.
LOVED!
- First page spider – I have told my children stories of creation which tells of spider woman’s important role in the creation of the universe. Whether intentional or not; or as a result of a gentle nudge from your creative spirit, it is good to know that spider woman is still the bringer of stories.
- The runners highlighting the numbers of each page.
- Alison – my people believe that those who are different in some way come to this earth on purpose in those bodies in order to teach us life’s valuable lessons.
- A clear child friendly explanation of cerebral palsy – just the facts, no drama and where to go for more info.
- Explanation of illustrations thereby affirming there are many ways to learn. The questions move the children a step further into the story. It also demonstrates that just as there are different ways of learning, there are also different ways of seeing.
- Manners: The explanation is a non-intrusive way of speaking of differences in cultures as exhibited by custom and ritual, while affirming the universality of kindness, respect and mutual consideration.
- YEAH CHUCK for respect and kindness to older people and young women.
- YEAH CHUCK for showing that special powers can be used for goodness.
All creation stories in my Nation begin and end with spider, just like your story – coincidence?
Even as an “adult” and old one at that, this story spoke to me.
Marla, keep writing as there is a greater purpose for your messages.
Ivy Chaske, Dakota First Nation Elder
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