This children’s article, On This Day in 1897: Dracula was published, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps children practise reading and comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and discover the spooky story behind one of the world’s most famous books. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
The book that gave us vampires
On 26 May 1897, a spooky book called Dracula was published in London. It was written by Bram Stoker, an Irish author who loved scary stories. This book introduced the world to Count Dracula, a mysterious vampire who drinks blood and lives in a dark castle.
Dracula became one of the most famous horror books of all time. It wasn’t very popular straight away, but slowly, after more people started reading it and getting scared by it, it became a must-read for adults and teenagers.
What happens in the story?
The story is told through letters, diaries, and newspaper articles. This makes it feel like you’re reading real messages from the characters. The hero, Jonathan Harker, travels to Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, a region in Eastern Europe. But he soon realises that Dracula is no ordinary man.
Dracula has strange powers, he can turn into many things, such as a wolf, a bat and even dust. He travels from Transylvania to London in order to hide in a big city and to find more victims. A group of brave people must work together to stop him. The book is a mix of mystery and adventure, with many scary moments throughout!
Where did Bram Stoker get the idea?
Stoker was inspired by old vampire legends from Eastern Europe. He may have also based Dracula on a real person from history, Vlad the Impaler, a Romanian prince known for being very cruel. Stoker never actually visited Transylvania; he learnt all about it from books and maps.
Why is Dracula still famous?
Even though it’s over 125 years old, Dracula is still popular today. It has inspired hundreds of films, TV shows, cartoons, and more. Without this book, we might not have all the vampire stories we enjoy now!
Article vocabulary list
- Published – when a book is printed and shared with the public
- Vampire – a make-believe creature that drinks blood to stay alive
- Spooky – a little bit scary
- Castle – a big, old building where kings or nobles used to live
- Diary – a book where someone writes their private thoughts or daily events
- Transylvania – a real place in Romania, known for vampire stories
- Legend – an old story that may not be true
- Inspired – when something gives you a great idea
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. When was Dracula published?
a) 1887
b) 1897
c) 1907
Answer: b) 1897
2. Who wrote Dracula?
a) Charles Dickens
b) Mary Shelley
c) Bram Stoker
Answer: c) Bram Stoker
3. What is Count Dracula?
a) A ghost
b) A vampire
c) A knight
Answer: b) A vampire
4. How is the story told?
a) In poems
b) In comic strips
c) Through letters and diaries
Answer: c) Through letters and diaries
5. What real place inspired part of the story?
a) Transylvania
b) Atlantis
c) The Sahara Desert
Answer: a) Transylvania
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
