Customer Reviews

The Costume Copycat

5 star:		(9)
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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.

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.

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.

Here's a Halloween book you can read to your kids all year round. Children who love costumes (and who doesn't?) will enjoy The Costume Copycat full of dress-up fun and sibling rivalry. Put this charming book next to your costume box for a daily read with your little monsters.

A great story with a nice ending. A favorite of my 3 girls. It will offend no one and is easily read and understood.

The Costume Copycat
My 4 year old granddaughter loves this book. We checked it out at the local library several times because she kept asking for it. She is very proud to own her own copy of the book now.

This is such a wonderful book, I enjoy reading this to my children all year round. I enjoy it myself because I can really look back on my childhood and remember this little worries we had as kids, finding the best costume, trying to get the best sweets, competing with my sister.

I definitely think this book is worth buying. The story and illustrations are really wonderful.

This Halloween story explores sibling rivalry using the example of Halloween costumes. The younger sister, Angela, gets hand-me-downs and never really shines. Situations such as trick-or-treating in the rain will be very familiar to Oregon coast children, and will make them laugh. Angela finally gets her "moment in the sun" when her older sister comes down with chicken pox on Halloween (this won't be familiar to young readers of today, since immunizations, but will give an opportunity for an adult to explain). The conclusion is satisfying--Angela not only gets recognized but she learns to be compassionate towards her older sister. The simple, colorful illustrations are engaging and amusing. The classic typeface will be easy for a younger child to read. This will make a good read-aloud for primary grades, leading to a discussion of "what are you wearing for Halloween?"

Bernadette always has the best costume on Halloween, so how can her little sister Angela compete? Perhaps by wearing Bernadette's costume from last year? But once again Bernadette seems to preside in popularity with her fabulous new costume leaving Angela's in the dust: can she make changes which will make her the star? Any sibling who's faced Halloween will find the idea familiar in this fine story.