Literary Halloween Costumes

With our Not-So-Scary Halloween Party coming up next week, I couldn't help thinking about Halloween costumes.  Of course, there are the standard witch, zombie, and ghost costumes, but are you looking for something different?  Maybe something along the lines of your favorite book?  What about one of your favorite literary characters?

Dressing up as a book character is nothing new, but it's gaining momentum.  I know I'm biased as a perch librarian, but going around as a literary character is a fun way to connect with your favorite stories.  Here are some ideas for literary Halloween costumes that are suitable for kids (and kids at heart):

• Alice from Alice in Wonderland
• The Cat in the Hat from The Cat in the Hat 
• An oompah loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series 
• Hermione Grainger from the Harry Potter series
• Junie B. Jones from the Junie B. Jones series
• A hobbit from The Lord of the Rings
• Madeline from the Madeline book series
• Waldo from the Where's Waldo series
• Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

If the above costumes don't fall into your style, check out the following websites for more literary costume ideas:

• 14 Amazing Bookish Halloween Costumes for Children
• 16 Literally Awesome Book-Inspired Halloween Costumes
• 21 Children's Book Characters Born to Be Halloween Costumes
• 100 Book Character Costumes
• Simple Book Week Costume Ideas

Whatever costume you choose to wear, hope you have a happy and safe Halloween!  And if you're wondering what costume yours truly will be wearing at the party, I will only tell you that I won't be late for a very important date!

Bookishly yours from the perch.

 

What's Your Library Story?

I'm sure all of us have a library story to share.  My story is that of a girl growing up in New York's Hudson River Valley.  My father was a school bus driver and my mother was a stay-at-home parent, so money was tight.  I didn't feel the strain of household finances, though, thanks to the library which always gave me somewhere to go and something to do.  It was a safe, welcoming place where I could lose myself in the different worlds the books offered.  When I was a teenager, I worked as a library page through my high school years, putting books away and helping people find things on the shelves.  Although I initially entered the teaching profession, I eventually found my way back to the library, going to library school and becoming a librarian.

One of the library vendors, Gale, is asking people for their library stories.  I think this is a great venture which shows the influence of libraries on people from all places and backgrounds.  When you stop and think about it, what really brings a community together nowadays?  I suppose you could argue the local mall, but does it make a lasting impact beside shopping?  I don't think so.  The library is the primary place that draws people and makes a difference.

Everyone's probably heard the expression that libraries change lives.  It may sound like a sweeping statement, but it really is true.  Read some of the stories at My Library Story and you'll see all the many ways libraries have affected people and their lives.  Kids needing a place to go after school and librarians introducing them to different books.  Adults self-educating themselves, working on their GEDs, and going through college.  People getting resources to deal with special needs children and aging parents.  The stories go on.

What story do you have about the library?  How has the library influenced or changed you?  What are your memories of the library?  If you have a moment, share your story at mystory.gale.com.  For each library story submitted through February 28, 2015, Gale will donate $1 to an advertising fund promoting libraries in the mainstream media during National Library Week 2015.  Please do your part and support the libraries that have supported you.

Just sharing my story and thoughts from the perch.