A Spooky, Sparkly Halloween

July 27, 2015
Gerry is having “a hard time choosing a costume that works with my wings and crown,” and she’s quick to set her father straight when he suggests that she simply dress up as a fairy princess. “That not a costume,” she says. “That’s what I am!” Rather than make Gerry’s costume conundrum the heart of the story, Andrews and Hamilton focus on her ingenuity, first in coming up with a perfect wings-friendly costume (an angel) and then by coming to the rescue of a classmate whose dentist costume gets doused with ketchup at lunch, a stain that “sends totally the wrong message about dentists!” A few costume adjustments for both girls result in a winning Halloween parade, captured in loving detail in Davenier’s characteristically loose and lively illustrations. No tricks here, just treats—sparkly ones, of course. Ages 3–6.

August 1, 2015
Gerry shines again in the latest entry in the Very Fairy Princess series. Halloween is near, and the perennial dilemma of what to wear is especially tricky for Gerry. She must find a costume that works with her wings and crown, after all. Even though she has "a THOUSAND ideas... / ...nothing seems quite right." Daddy suggests the obvious, Mommy offers encouragement, while brother Stewart cracks a joke. But "fairy princesses always come through in a pinch," and Gerry decides to be an angel. Excited to get to school, Gerry meets up with her best friend, Delilah, who has come as a dentist because that is "what she wants to be when she grows up." All goes well until rambunctious Connor has a ketchup mishap at lunch. Suddenly Delilah's costume is ruined, and furthermore, the apparent spatter of blood "sends TOTALLY the wrong message about dentists!" Gerry applies fairy magic and comes up with a creative solution just in time for the Halloween parade. She makes a sacrifice for her friend and in turn inspires Delilah to be innovative. It's hard not to warm to the irrepressible Gerry, even in her seventh picture-book outing. Teamwork and being true to oneself are always celebrated, but Andrews, Hamilton, and Davenier combine talents to produce a charming tale full of girl power that readers can applaud. (Picture book. 4-8)

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September 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-An all-new story about Gerry, the "Very Fairy Princess." This time, she is getting ready for Halloween by preparing an angel costume to wear (because, as she insists, her routine fairy princess attire is "not a costume"). But on the day of Halloween, when food accidentally splatters onto her friend Delilah's dentist coat, Gerry offers to give up her angel ensemble so she can transform it into a tooth costume for Delilah. With Delilah's help, Gerry then cleverly tweaks her usual fairy princess attire to make herself into a tooth fairy so the pals can complement one another during the Halloween parade. The pair of costumes is a rousing success, and the girls receive a prize for their "creative teamwork." Sweet and quaint, this latest installment in the series can be enjoyed by ardent fans and new readers alike. Gerry's quick thinking and selflessness to help fix Delilah's costume is admirable, elevating the book from a typical Halloween tale to a story about what it means to be a good friend. Davenier's familiar ink and colored pencil illustrations are warm and engaging, matching the genial tone of the text. VERDICT A good selection for children who like fairies and princesses or those who are looking for a Halloween book or a story about friendship.-Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

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