Do you have an aspiring young ghoul in your life? A wee beastie who *wants* to hang out with the monster under their bed and whatever else might go creep or sneak in the night? Perhaps your family celebrates el Día de los Muertos or the spiritual rituals of Allhallowtide in addition to Halloween. Or maybe you’re just in search of a sweetly spooky story to add to your bedtime routine as autumn rolls in and on like a brisk, moonlit fog.
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If you feel a small chill of recognition shimmer down your spine, you should immerse yourself and your little terrors in the eerily cute world of Flavia Z. Drago. An artist, author and former aspirational mermaid hailing from Mexico City, Drago has written and illustrated three frightfully delightful picture books that center the emotional tribulations of three monstrous children — a ghost, witch and vampire, respectively. Beyond the utterly rich and horribly whimsical illustrations of the haunted world, Drago has created — which could work as spooky seek-and-finds on their own! — the gorgeous (undead) heart of these stories is each character’s tenderly earned understanding that they are a cherished member of their families and extended communities exactly as they are, warts and all.
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Whether learning how to be vulnerable, to ask for support or to accept their flaws — or, better yet, consider these “flaws” from a more compassionate perspective — Gustavo, Leila and Vlad all demonstrate and affirm the vividly complex emotional (after)lives of our youngest creatures. No mean-spirited tricks here — only marvelous treats!
