LITTLE DRACULA GOES TO SCHOOL

On his first day at the Academy for Boys and Ghouls, Little Dracula's initial hesitancy dissolves after he meets the horrible creatures in his class, takes simple lessons in geography (``New Vampshire''), nature study (the difference between garlic and peasants is that garlic is ``bad to bite''), and plays a game of hearts (not with cards) at Playtime. After a peaceful nap, Igor arrives to take him home in the slave-powered family carriage. Wright's busy cartoon illustrations will have younger readers— and their parents—howling (with glee) as they watch the green- skinned ``ghoulboy'' counting werewolves to get to sleep, looking anxiously at his rather animated lunch, and being put to bed the next morning by his doting parents. A First-Day-of-School with a difference. Also available: Little Dracula at the Seashore; both were originally published in Britain in 1987. (Picture book. 5-7)