Do Picture Books Really Need Vampires, Zombies, and Fantasy Creatures?

If you want to be published you look at Wishlists of publishers and agents. I think I have some really charming stories, but I am seeing multiple folks in the publishing industry looking for picture books that have vampires, zombies, or other fantastical creatures…maybe some badass multicultural princesses who know how to fight.

Horror in picture books is a bit of a reach for me. I remember my daughter was traumatized by seeing The Lion King at age three. Scar totally freaked her out because he acted so nice but was so evil. Now granted he didn’t look evil. It is less of a reach to realize zombies, werewolves, and vampires might be the bad guys. But who knows? Maybe the publishing world wants sweet vampires and friendly zombies?

I could be having a difficult time conceptualizing these characters being in a bedtime story, but it could be my perspective. I am a wuss. Even as an adult I can’t watch horror. I definitely did not read it except for the classics like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

I am not totally old school. I know that kids play video games, and all these creatures exist in those virtual worlds, so I get that the Publishing World wants to capitalize on this. I am assuming these stories would be marketable.

I still see them more for middle grade or young adult,but I wanted my own kids to stay kids. There is too much horror in the real world. I may never sell my books. Their messages are about kindness, caring for others, embracing diversity, and treating animals and other humans with love and respect.

It will probably be a long time before you see a book by Jeannine Vetrano Smith that has vampires and zombies. Unicorns, phoenixes ,and dragons? Maybe:)