This book event is through Rachel’s Random Resources.
A Vampire is not a Pet blog tour includes a guest post from the author, just in time for Halloween.
Book Details
A vampire is NOT a pet
Yasmin REALLY wants a pet. A cat, a dog—she’d even settle for a snake. After all, there’s hardly anything Yasmin is afraid of… unless you count ghosts, zombies, monsters, and maybe custard. But Velma wasn’t the pet Yasmin expected. For starters, there are the fangs. And, well… she’s a vampire.
From classroom chaos and dental disasters to a blood bank heist (don’t ask), the world’s worst cow impressions (really don’t ask), and a Halloween party wild enough to wake the dead, Yasmin and Velma are about to have the time of their (after)lives.
As the mayhem piles up, Yasmin starts to wonder… could a vampire be the most fang-tastic pet ever?
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/vampire-NOT-pet-Lexi-Rees-ebook/dp/B0FSLC6QHN/
Author Bio
Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south where she’s slave to carrot obsessed gelding, a frisky mare, a dog who’s convinced he’s not been fed in a month, and a house of hungry boys.
She writes action-packed adventures and fun activity books for children. She’s passionate about reducing her footprint on the planet and becoming more self-sufficient.
She has an active programme of school visits and other events, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.
Social Media Links
Website: https://lexirees.co.uk
Twitter: @lexi_rees or https://twitter.com/lexi_rees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexiAuthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lexireesbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexi.rees/
How I Ended Up Writing a Funny Vampire Story
Thanks so much for inviting me to join you to chat about my new chapter book, ‘A Vampire is NOT a Pet’.
This book started with the working title, ‘A Vampire for Christmas’, with a theme of responsible pet ownership – inspired by the very sad ‘a puppy is not just for Christmas’ adverts that the animal charities release which just break my heart when I see them pop up every year.
Then once I started planning it, I realised I wanted it to be much broader than that with the girl (Yasmin) learning about responsibility and friendship, while the character of the vampire (Velma) grew and grew until it’s as much her story as Yasmin’s, with a separate character arc of wanting to fit in.
In my school visits, I talk about how I’m not a fast writer, and that speed is not what makes you an author. I always hope this encourages some of the very creative young writers who are perhaps struggling with confidence as they are a slow writer. That said, I might now have to modify my statement as the first draft of this book wrote itself really fast. Any author will agree, writing isn’t always like that – with plot holes and writers block, some sessions are hard work. But this story made me smile, and I’d leave each scene with a bit of a buzz.
Normally I write in a completely different genre – fantasy or activity books, so this was a big change for me. An exciting part was knowing I was writing for readers who are at that stage where they’re still figuring out what kind of books they love. If this silly vampire makes young readers giggle, then I’ll be over the moon.
I already do a lot of school visits and creative writing workshops, mainly with KS2. One of the lovely things about ‘A Vampire is NOT a Pet’ is how neatly it ties into PSHE themes. Yasmin’s journey is all about learning responsibility, while Velma’s is about finding where she belongs, and both of those fit beautifully with the kinds of conversations schools are already having around looking after animals and caring for others, empathy, and friendship. This makes it a great class read. Here are some quick ideas that teachers could use in the classroom if they are reading ‘A Vampire is NOT a Pet”:
- Design a Pet Care Poster
Pupils create posters showing how to care for a real pet (food, exercise, love) — and then a silly version for Velma the vampire (coffin polish, cloak brushing, bedtime before sunrise). Great for comparing fact vs. fiction. - Pet Diaries
Write a diary entry as if they were looking after Velma for a week. What goes well? What disasters happen? - Pet Ownership Debate
Set up a class debate: Should vampires be allowed as pets? Half the class argues “yes” (because it would be fun/cool), half “no” (because it’s too much responsibility/ dangerous). - Create a Pet Owner’s Handbook
In small groups, pupils make a mini “handbook” with rules for pet care. One group does a serious version for cats/dogs/rabbits, another does a funny version for vampires, werewolves, or other imaginary pets.
Stepping into a new genre and writing for a younger group did make me a bit nervous, but I’ve really enjoyed it, and if the readers like it too (I really hope they do), there is definitely series potential, and quite possibly some werewolves as well next time. I’ve currently got a fairy detective book underway though, so Yasmin and Velma will have to wait until 2026 before I have time to take them on their next adventure.
Hope you enjoy the book, and let me know what you think. I’m always happy to chat – you can find me on Instagram or Facebook, or my website of course.
