Dear Vampa

The Pires are cursed with new neighbours. Things were just fine on Nostfer Avenue until the Wolfsons arrived. There seems to be no end to the new family's strange rituals. They stay up all day long, lock their windows at night, and bathe-in sunshine. What's a nice vampire family to do?

Dear Vampa is an ironic, laugh-out-loud story that invites you to think about accepting others-perhaps your neighbours are less different than you think.

Winner of the Scottish Children's Book Award 2011

Selected for the Society of Illustrator's "The Original Art Exhibition" 2009

See Ross read 'Dear Vampa' on the Scottish Book Trust site

Ross was honoured when 'Dear Vampa' was chosen to be transformed into a Living Paintings title for children who are partially sighted or blind. Children can feel the Pire's pointy fangs and furry bats on specially sculpted pages. They can read the text themselves in braille or have it read to them by Bill Bailey. Please check out the Living Paintings website to find out more about how you can help this amazing charity. www.livingpaintings.org

"Collins contrasts Edward Gorey-style etchings with sunny cartooning, leading to plenty of hilarious overlaps" ALA Booklist

"as for the twist at the end... I certainly didn't see it coming... Very cool." School Library Journal

"Although there's spookiness by the barrel-load, it's always appropriate for its young audience, and never scary. The humour will keep them coming back for more, whether reading it with you or progressing into being able to read for themselves. With a hilarious twist in the tail, Dear Vampa will be enjoyed time and again. It'll find a welcome place on any young child's bookshelf. Recommended." The Bookbag