The Halloween Handbook: 447 Costumes [Paperback]

Bridie Clark (Author), Ashley Dodd (Author), Janette Beckman (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2004

It's dress-up for grown-ups, and the liveliest, most imaginative collection of Halloween costume ideas--447 costume ideas to be exact--from two hip, inveterate lovers of all things Halloween . . . plus dozens of other ideas for enjoying the holiday.

Bridie Clark and Ashley Dodd are the dynamic duo, in or out of capes. For every level of interest, time--and irony--they offer suggestions. There's the ultra-quick: Pin several pair of underwear to a shirt, and voilà, A Chest of Drawers. With a bit more time, wrap yourself in aluminum foil and don a beret--mmm, French Kiss. There are Angels and Devils, all with variations (add roller skates to your Satan costume, and go as Hell on Wheels). Come Hither costumes--Lady Godiva, Chippendales Dancer, Stripper Emerging from a Cake. Celeb sightings, from the Dalai Lama to Madonna (six Madonnas, actually, from all of her phases). Costumes for couples--Sweethearts Caught on Lover's Lane, Fred and Wilma Flintstone--and costumes for whole groups of friends, including how to appear as the Sopranos or the hapless castaways on Gilligan's Island. And for the children, check out Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, and Other Costumes for the Young and Young at Heart.

Finally, for the friend who just can't bear the thought of dressing up but still wants to join the fun, suggest the Time Traveler from the Day Before Halloween.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Grade 3-6-A bright, eye-catching, oversized book filled with full-color photographs and useful information. A wide variety of masks, head gear, and costumes are presented, with explanations for making and combining accessories. The step-by-step instructions are presented in words and photographs. Ordinary household tools are used, and all the materials are easy to find, collect, or buy. The projects are arranged in three groups, according to the length of time required, and all models are children. The instructions are clear, giving basic ideas, and suggesting variations and accents. Middle-grade students and adults working with younger children will be able to follow them with ease. Only one template, or pattern, is provided, so costume makers are encouraged to use their artistic skills to customize each piece. Those with some craft experience may have an easier time than novices, although the simplest procedures are always given. (Only a few costumes require any sewing; glue, staples, and tape are preferred.)-Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
(School Library Journal )

Gr. 4-6. As usual with books from this publisher, much of the information is delivered through excellent full-color photos. Wilkes, who has several similarly designed craft books to her credit, has carefully tailored her instructions to work with the step-by-step photos. After a few concise words about costume-making materials and the symbols she uses in the text (for example, stars suggest time requirements for a project), she gives instructions for making a variety of costume parts--box masks, tunics, weaponry, hats, mustaches, beards, etc.--that can be combined in any number of ways. A list, with accompanying photos, of necessary tools and materials heads each set of directions, and photos of finished projects are provided. The designs are frivolous and fun, with plenty of child appeal, and they can usually be accomplished by handy kids with a minimum of adult mentoring. (Booklist -Stephanie Zvirin )

Book Description

It's dress-up for grown-ups, and the liveliest, most imaginative collection of Halloween costume ideas--447 costume ideas to be exact--from two hip, inveterate lovers of all things Halloween . . . plus dozens of other ideas for enjoying the holiday.

Bridie Clark and Ashley Dodd are the dynamic duo, in or out of capes. For every level of interest, time--and irony--they offer suggestions. There's the ultra-quick: Pin several pair of underwear to a shirt, and voilà, A Chest of Drawers. With a bit more time, wrap yourself in aluminum foil and don a beret--mmm, French Kiss. There are Angels and Devils, all with variations (add roller skates to your Satan costume, and go as Hell on Wheels). Come Hither costumes--Lady Godiva, Chippendales Dancer, Stripper Emerging from a Cake. Celeb sightings, from the Dalai Lama to Madonna (six Madonnas, actually, from all of her phases). Costumes for couples--Sweethearts Caught on Lover's Lane, Fred and Wilma Flintstone--and costumes for whole groups of friends, including how to appear as the Sopranos or the hapless castaways on Gilligan's Island. And for the children, check out Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, and Other Costumes for the Young and Young at Heart.

Finally, for the friend who just can't bear the thought of dressing up but still wants to join the fun, suggest the Time Traveler from the Day Before Halloween.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (August 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761129871
• ISBN-13: 978-0761129875
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.7 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,812,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars cover is misleading. October 12, 2008

By B. Marine Inc.

Format:Paperback

This book is awful. Black and white pictures of celebrities like Judge Judy, Mick Jagger, Evel Knievel and Monika Lewinsky with the implication that you can too can look like them. The cover shows lovely color costumes and the inside is black and white photos, most of which aren't costumes. The cover also says that there are 447 costumes. I don't consider pictures of celebrities a "costume" . There is practically no instruction what so ever. Don't be tricked into buying this book. The cover is designed to mislead and hook amazon customers who can't see the inside.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Cover is Deceiving October 11, 2007

By Annie's Point

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The cover is the best thing about this book. I felt deceived when I opened up the book. I thought I would find real how-to-do costumes, instead it is filled with a lot of movie clips. Not very practical. A few good ideas but they are hard to find.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars 447 (Quick and Dirty) Costume Ideas September 16, 2006

By G. FISHER

Format:Paperback

This should only be considered as an idea or concept book for quick or last minute costumes. All are quick and simple so as not to need instructions. If you want an elaborate or detailed costume collection, look elsewhere.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcases 447 do-it-yourself costume concepts October 12, 2004

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

The collaborative effort of Halloween costume experts and enthusiasts Bridie Clark and Ashley Dodd, The Halloween Handbook: Dress-Up For Grown-Ups showcases 447 imaginative, easy-to-make, do-it-yourself costume concepts. From traditional favorites such as Wonder Woman or Peter Pan, to more eyebrow-raising unique costumes like the One-Night Stand (the costumegoer appears as an actual stand with lampshade over the head, bra and pantyhouse dangling on the tablecloth) or the Green Card (wearing a large green sandwich board humorously displaying a parody what a real green card looks like). Black-and-white photographs illustrate fun, zany, sometimes edgy ideas with practical suggestions to efficiently and frugally make a Halloween guise to remember. Especially recommended not only for Halloween, but as a source of ideas for costume parties year round or even school and community theater apparel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars the book is okay July 6, 2007

By Jennifer M. Fitzpatrick

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was searching for costume ideas and there are undoubtedly a lot of costumes in the book. I think I was looking for costumes that were home-made that looked more store-made. I read the book last Halloween when I purchased it and will most likely pull it out again this Halloween to see if it sparks any ideas.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Ideas September 8, 2010

By Beccanoel

Format:Paperback

I actually really like this book & thought it was really helpful. All the images are black & white, but there are several pages of color images at the beginning of the book. It has a picture of almost every idea (be it the person itself or the costume). The pictures of the celebs are for reference so that you actually know what you're trying to dress up like.
Very helpful. TONS of ideas.

4.0 out of 5 stars Halloween okay February 1, 2009

By bEV

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a huge proponent of making ones own Halloween costume. I mean, how often, as adults in particular, do we get to be creative? So I bought this book to further inspire my creativity, but after reading it, I'm on the fence about it. On the one hand there are some fairly good ideas inside, but then there are a lot of those that are for people with absolutely no imagination whatsoever combined with those so often seen Halloween cliches (the nightstand...boring!) I'd say if you are a costume making newbie, or a mom scrambling to make that homemade costume for your kids play, then by all means buy this book and get started, but if are a homemade costume veteran, look elsewhere.

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, easy, fun but some good ideas May 22, 2007

By April S. Stansberry

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Some of the costumes in this book are corny, cheesy, and just plain boring BUT there are some fun, creative ideas. There are no real big instruction lists but they are good ideas. I loved this book so much when I checked it out at the library that I had to buy a copy!