BOOKS

Birdie's Happiest Halloween

by Sujean RIM
illus. by Sujean Rim. 40p. Little, Brown. Jul. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780316407465.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—Birdie loves the fall. She loves apple picking, cool weather, and playing football with her friends, but most of all Birdie loves Halloween. She loves to dress up, go trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins. Most times, she has no problem deciding what to be, but this year is different. She knows she can be anything she wants, but what does she want to be? During a trip to the museum, Birdie is introduced to an array of historical figures, but she doesn't want to be Sandra Day O'Connor, Neil Armstrong, or Eleanor Roosevelt. If Birdie can really be anything she wants, then she is going to be the president of the United States. This timely holiday story is charming, and the message is clear. The magic of dressing up at Halloween is that we can let our imaginations run wild. In the end, Birdie dreams big and celebrates her best Halloween ever.
VERDICT This lighthearted offering is a good addition to any library's holiday collection, especially with this being an election year with the possibility of a female president.
Reviewed by Betsy Davison, Cortland Free Library, NY
Birdie, who has a knack for dressing up (Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes; Birdie's Big-Girl Dress), is jazzed that it's fall. She loves apple picking, "wearing big fuzzy sweaters," and, most of all, "HALLOWEEN!" The problem: she doesn't have a costume idea yet. Birdie and Mommy hit the museum for inspiration, but which historical figure inspires her most? Albert Einstein? Sandra Day O'Connor? Eleanor Roosevelt? The spunky story maintains tension, holding out on Birdie's choice of (gloriously girl-powered) Halloween costume until just the right moment: Birdie isn't dressed as a First Lady, she's the president. Rim's bright mixed-media art sparkles with style, much like our heroine. katrina hedeen
Birdie has a knack for dressing up (Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes; Birdie's Big-Girl Dress), and she loves "HALLOWEEN!" The problem: she doesn't have a costume idea yet; Birdie and Mommy visit the museum for inspiration. The spunky story maintains tension, holding out on Birdie's (gloriously girl-powered) choice until the end: Birdie isn't First Lady, she's the president. Like Birdie, Rim's bright mixed-media art sparkles with style.
 , Sep 01, 2016

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