5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sibling Rivalry with a Halloween Twist, October 10, 2007
This review is from: The Costume Copycat (Hardcover)
Angela's big sister Bernadette always one-ups her on Halloween. One year, for example, Bernadette dresses as a bunny and Angela as a fairy. However, when the weather turns windy, Angela's fairy is all but covered up by her jacket, but Bernadette's bunny is unmistakeable. Mrs. Walker, the next door neighbor exclaims, "Oh, look at that cute little bunny," and takes two pictures of Bernadette. Angela only gets one picture.
So what's a little sister to do? Under a sort of "imitation is the best insurance against costume-wise sisters" theory, Angela goes the next year as a bunny. Smart! But the next year is muddy, and the white bunny suit soon resembles (according to Mrs. Walker) a rat. Bernadette's black witch's costume is only enhanced by mud. And so it goes, year after year, until Angela is 7. At that point, she gets tired of her copycat ways backfiring, and goes for an original design. Furthermore, Bernadette can best her because Bernadette has the measles, "So Angela went trick or treating with Gerard Schwartz."
Finally, Angela gets the attention that always went to her sister, even the gauche Mrs. Walker delights in her costume and gives her TWO cany apples. What's even more impressive, however, is that Angela's costume skills are matched by a new maturity: She gives the second apple to her measled sister!
Ms. McDonald explores several aspects of sibling rivalry, neither over-dramatizing nor shirking away from Angela's hurt feelings and anger. The year-over-year narrative feels surprisingly clear and natural, and the ancillary characters (Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Walker cat, the parents, young Gerard dressed as a TV) add to the depth. In playful, energetic watercolor and ink pictures, illustrator Anne Wilsdorf captures the collective energy and excitement of kids meeting on the street, as well as conveying Angela's emotions. It's an excellent mixture of outer and inner moments. Whether you have a sib rivalry problem or not, this is a fun, absorbing, humorous, and colorful book (I loved the pictures of the costumes). You'll want to read about Angela and Bernadette even when Halloween is not looming.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Halloween mischief, August 26, 2006
This review is from: The Costume Copycat (Hardcover)
Maryann MacDonald's story of sibling rivalry, revolving around a Halloween costume, is quietly funny and uplifting. Every child who loves Halloween and wants to have the best costume will relate to this gem of a story. Parents, too, will find the text and illustrations endearing and enduring.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She got it right!, August 22, 2006
This review is from: The Costume Copycat (Hardcover)
I am a little sister - now grown with children of my own. But WHO can forget that ole' big sister/little sister thing? Maryann MacDonald got it right! This book has the added bonus of the Halloween setting which makes it very special for little ones in the fall. Quite simply, a joy to read and a book that will be asked for over and over.
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