by Moe Zilla

Created on: April 05, 2010

"Dracula and Frankenstein are Friends" is a very funny children's book. The two famous monsters are apparently also next-door neighbors - in a suburban neighborhood with immaculate front lawns!  It's a town "where all of the houses are spooky," explains author Katherine Tegen - and there's an overhead shot of the neighborhood. Next to Dracula's suburban castle and Frankenstein's suburban lab is a castle with a monster in a moat, and even the mummy's pyramid. And in the background, the creature from the Black Lagoon reclines in his swamp reading a newspaper...

What makes this fascinating is the detailed illustrations by Doug Cushman. Seen from above, Frankenstein gives a cheery wave to his friend Dracula - who waves back - while the mummy is apparently toting groceries back from the store. Yes, there's a scary graveyard in the middle of the town, but the picture gives it a different context. In this neighborhood, it's just somebody's home - in this case, a ghost!

There's a lot to look at in this neighborhood - including caves, vultures, bats, and even a werewolf (seated casually at an outdoor cafe). And Tegen's text creates plenty of opportunities for Cushman to keep imagining more! The next page peeks through the wall to see every room in Dracula's castle (including his cozy coffin bed!) Cushman gives the illustration a cartoony orange background - and then switches to rich blue for the house of Frankenstein.

Tegen's story provides real personalities for both characters. Dracula is a trickster - he plays pranks on their neighbors - while Frankenstein is, of course, shy. But in a nice touch, Cushman draws both monsters as though they're young boys, like they're just dressed in costumes to celebrate Halloween. And inevitably, that's where Tegen's story goes - the two friends plan a Halloween party. But thanks to Cushman, they'll have that conversation at the "Creepy Cafe" - so Cushman can draw in more funny monsters!

The two disagree on what kind of party to have - and then Dracula plays a dirty trick. He steals all of Frankenstein's party invitations (which were waiting for Frankenstein's mailman in the mailbox at the edge of his front lawn). Poor Frankenstein is seen carving enough jack-o-lanterns to fill his room. Meanwhile, Dracula's hired a band - and dressed up in a spiffy red cape. There's a party spread with green cupcakes (and a bat), but it looks inviting, with festive orange and black decorations.

Sure enough, soon Cushman's drawing over a dozen funny guests arriving at Dracula's party- all monsters wearing Halloween costumes - while Frankenstein sits home alone. But Dracula plays one last trick - and this time, it's a friendly one. He tells his guests to tiptoe over to Frankenstein's house! Soon they're both enjoying a happy party together. Because after all - Frankenstein and Dracula are friends.

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