Dress-Up Mess-Up

July 1, 2013
Chloe finds herself once again with a cliffhanger of a problem (Crafty Chloe, 2012). And it involves her two best friends. Can her creative powers get her out of this pickle? DiPucchio's story is filled with entertaining drama and deadpan hilarity. The Parade of Books is a costumed event at school, and Chloe is torn between the ideas of two very best but very different friends. Leo and Chloe are planning to go as Frankenstein and Dracula. But Emma, at their weekly spa day, says they should be Fairy Club fairies and is horrified at Chloe's plan. " 'You're going to be a MONSTER?' Emma's oatmeal mask cracked." Chloe begins the herculean task of finding a solution to this predicament. The text provides painful insight into the creative process, and Ross' digitally colored pencil drawings capture this charismatic spirit. Chloe's frustration is palpable as she dons her winter coat and hat on a beautiful sunny day, hoping a snow day might cancel the impending festivities. With pacing that mimics the first installment, the book gives Chloe a down-to-the-wire moment of inspiration; she begins fussing and fixing through the night. The last page shows Chloe's creative genius, reflecting it in the adoration of her best friends' eyes. Share this lively tale of bighearted friendship and originality with young readers needing a little zest for life. A corresponding website provides crafting ideas and instructions. (Picture book. 4-8)

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July 1, 2013

K-Gr 3-Crafty Chloe returns with her tape measure, scissors, fabric, and pom-poms for her second adventure. This time, she faces a costume dilemma. The Parade of Books, one of her favorite days, is next week. Chloe had planned to dress up as Frankenstein to match her buddy Leo's Dracula outfit. But her other friend, Emma, wants them both to dress up as Fairy Club fairies. After several failed attempts at designing the perfect getup, Chloe finally creates the ideal ensemble to please both of her pals-a roller-skating Frankenfairy mash-up, complete with pink cotton Bride-of-Frankenstein hair, fairy wings, and tutu. Readers can't help but be charmed by this spunky heroine's enthusiasm and her desire to please two friends with opposite tastes. Ross's spirited drawings, rendered in pencil and colored digitally, keep the action bouncing along. The use of varying perspectives and drawings of different sizes fits Chloe's creative nature. The last page includes a website for instructions on some of the costumes shown in the book (although most of them will need adult help).-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

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