Vlad’s Bad Breath is an amusing, rhyming story about dental hygiene and a young vampire who refuses to brush his teeth.
It’s been years since Vlad brushed or flossed his teeth. His mother is distraught and even his cat looks concerned. When other relatives start to comment on his bad breath, Vlad feels upset and mistaken. The story dives deeper into Vlad's emotions to discover he has a decent reason for this neglect to his dental hygiene.
Vlad visits his monster friends and finds that they also have some personal hygiene issues. In open honesty and true friendship, the three friends help to solve each other's problems. Vlad’s help involves a visit to a dentist which leads to a satisfying ending, and a hint at what might be another book to look forward to.
Vlad’s character is lovely, he’s adamant, caring and super cute with big round blue eyes and rosy cheeks. He’s certainly not a vampire to fear other than the bad breath that is.
I adore the bright, bold, modern illustration, it has a cinematic feel with great display of lighting and it works in perfect unity with the fun, flowing, rhyming text.
Vlad’s Bad Breath would be a great classroom resource, perfect for reluctant teeth brushers, those learning about dental hygiene and of course vampire and monster lovers will rejoice. I can’t wait for the sequel, Love’s Not Dead coming in 2021.
Rory H. Mather is an emerging Australian author, Vlad’s Bad Breath is his debut title, he has others on the way, and I for one can’t wait to get my hands on them! Jesus Lopez is an illustrator based in Madrid, Spain, he has many published books and has even worked on short films.
Title: Vlad's Bad Breath
Author: Rory H. Mather
Illustrator: Jesus Lopez
Publisher: Larrikin House, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648728771
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book