291. Vampires and Cells by Agnieszka Biskup

Vampires and Cells by Agnieszka Biskup. Illustrated by Jok (US) - (Canada)
Graphic Library, Monster Science series

Pages: 30
Ages: 8+
Finished: Dec. 31, 2011
First Published: Aug. 1, 2011
Publisher: Capstone Press
Genre: children, science, biology, graphic novel, non-fiction
Rating: 3/5

First sentence:

The world is full of living things.

Acquired: Received a review copy from Capstone Press.

Reason for Reading: I am fond of this publisher.

This is a new series by the publisher combining monsters and science.  This book explains in detail the science of cells.  The narrative is written in blocks of text while the pictures and comic balloons add humour to the information.  The book is written at a low reading level (3-4) but information wise it is detailed enough to be useful up to Grade 9.  In fact, I think the text may be a little dry for the younger age range of students unless they are already interested in the topic or studying it.  I enjoyed the other book in this series I read better, Aliens and Energy, as it portrayed the aliens as the goofy instructors.  This book comes off as having an unknown instructor speaking to us while a dimwitted vampire is in the background asking questions and making comic remarks.  The illustrations are also not up to par with those by Aon in the other book.  However, it accomplishes what it aims to do; introducing the science of cells with humour and would make a good addition to a classroom library.