I AM NOT A VAMPIRE

In this picture book from actor and LGBTQ+ advocate McKenna, a young monster goes down a path of self-exploration.

Arlo is a vampire. Well, sort of. Everyone else in the family is a vampire. Arlo’s parents and 12 younger brothers have wan complexions, dark silky hair, sharp fangs, and pointy batlike ears. Even the baby, swaddled in a black bat suit, shows off his fangs as he giggles. Arlo, with shaggy brown hair, rounded ears, peachy-pink skin, and no fangs, sticks out. And while the others "can fly around in the dark and not hit a thing," Arlo is "always knocking into things." Arlo’s parents, who resemble Morticia and Gomez Addams, urge their eldest to be patient. But Arlo is skeptical. The Harvest Moon Festival offers Arlo an opportunity for self-discovery; according to legend, the harvest moon gives all who attend the power to embrace their true selves. Arlo soon has an epiphany: “I’m a werewolf!” Published in partnership with GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), this effective allegory for the queer experience captures a child’s yearning to fit in while feeling acutely different from siblings and peers. It’s wonderful to see Arlo’s journey occurring within the embrace of a loving family; this is both a thought-provoking delight and a balm. Samels’ cute, clever illustrations complete the package; the vampire family’s elegant uniformity, their gently gothic home, and the Halloweeny atmosphere of their little town set a distinct scene without overwhelming the narrative.

A sweet celebration of identity.