The Costume Party (Hardcover)

by Victoria Chess (Author, Illustrator) "This is Madame Coco with her little family..." (more)
Key Phrases: Madame Coco

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–What does a family do when the rainy days go on and on? If your name is Madame Coco and your family consists of five chubby white dogs, the answer is to throw a costume party. Since the pups don't fit into any of the old costumes in the attic, they will make their own, and a prize will be awarded for the best one. The party is planned with food, decorations, games, and the contest. The contest results in a tie, and the prize is a kitty named Oscar who next year dresses up as (what else?) a white dog. The wonderfully detailed pictures are hilarious and expressive. This is a great activity-producing selection for a rainy day, or any day.–Beverly Combs, Webb Middle School, Garland, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. Chess often reminds readers of another writer and illustrator, Edward Gorey, in both her aloof tellings and her sly art. Those qualities work particularly well in this story of wide-eyed Madame Coco and her white pit bulls, Nico, Fanny, Claude, Daisy, and Rose. When we meet the dogs, they are bored. Rain has kept them inside, except for necessities (and there are some fine pictures of those, including one of a dog in midnecessity), so Madame Coca suggests a costume party. Thus begins a series of clever pictures showing the dogs making their costumes, reading menus, and decorating (balloons!). The interesting thing about this book is its matter-of-fact recitation. There are no real surprises--except for the kitten that the dogs receive as a party favor. But the art is so funny (a pit bull with pointy teeth dressed as a Red Cross nurse) and the telling so deadpan that the book has enormous appeal. Very young children may not get the subtleties, but primary-age kids and even older ones will chortle. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (August 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132875
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132874
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #436,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Costume Party by by Victoria Chess, October 1, 2005

By	Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

It's raining cats and dogs. When the rain continues for days and days, Madame Coco and her family of five dogs are bored and messy. Madame Coco announces a costume party to helo alleviate the boredom during the bad weather. After days of planning, everyone has a wonderful time and a group prize is enjoyed by all--a new member of the family!

Chess' text is succinct, but her detailed illustrations carry the book. Children who love animals will enjoy the book and perhaps be inspired to plan a costume party of their own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and original book, August 26, 2007

By	Joel E. Brown "Rosafaerie" (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My 2 year old son and I both love this book. We took it out at our local library and he loved it so much that I decided we should have our own copy. The story is not very complex but it is original and the illustrations are beautifully done and hilarious. I can't imagine why anyone would be offended by drawings of dogs with nipples or testicles - dogs do, after all, actually have nipples and/or testicles. There is a very funny page where the dogs are shown pooping and peeing outdoors. I suppose there are people out there who would be offended by that as well, but I think it is appropriate to the story and very funny. They are normal bodily functions and the story may provide you with an opening to discuss them as such with your young child. The simplicity of the story makes it perfect for the toddler and preschool set. Children older than that probably wouldn't be very interested, although the illustrations are entertaining for any age.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Costume Party, February 19, 2006

By	Rebecca Quigley "Towser and Lulu Rule!" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thought this was a swell book--charming in every regard. The illustrations are smashing! Ms Chess has captured the character and personality of the BULL TERRIER (these dogs are not, as a previous reviewer called them, pit bulls!!)as well as the somewhat eccentric nature of those of us who own them!