Jane and Terry may be in the same history class, but they come from different worlds. When they have to pair up to work on a school project, their trip to the museum doesn’t quite go as planned…Join them in a historical fashion adventure as they discover the deadliest dresses to date and meet some spooky friends along the way!

Luciola Pires, a Brazilian fashion designer turned illustrator, embarked on her first children’s book journey alongside her daughter, Olivia Pires Zamprogna, a gifted young individual who contributed her imaginative flair to the story, aiding in its structuring and editing. Luciola’s fascination with historical dresses, nurtured by her years of teaching and later her Master’s in Illustration, led her on museum explorations across Europe. It was during these adventures that the idea for their book was born. Luciola’s passion for history and her dedication to nurturing children’s curiosity shine through in her storytelling, aiming to empower and enchant young readers with the wonders of the past.

Customer Reviews

5.0

1 reviews

penelope pitstop

Classmates Terry and Jane reluctantly set off to a museum on a search for information for a school task. Not the best of friends, with different interests they are and thrown together to collaborate on their feminism & fashion themed homework, during which they experience unexpected adventures. The description of an illustrator given by the character in a museum ‘sometimes observing things is better than reading about them and illustration can help with that’ quickly engages the reader as well as giving insight into the value of observation over note taking or reading. Pires’ illustrations provide context for imagination as well as enough detail to see excitement, expressions and the differing personalities and interests of the characters though their choice of clothing. Compelled to complete their task their exploits take them on a learning journey through storage trunks and hidden spaces as if entering another world. The authors use of language is modern as the girls exchange differences in their views and once thrown into the world of dresses that can talk this becomes a historical lesson in how fashion had an impact on women’s health, causing ailments and even death! The story handles the complexity of the impact of fashionable clothing on society in its time, elements of which we can see echoed in society today. An important message for equality and women’s rights underlies the story telling, beautifully illustrating the key scenes to inspire imagination and also encourages the positive outcomes of talking through problems and how women were often seen to look attractive for the pleasure of others and at the expense of their health. The illustrations show how beautiful the fashions and trends were and how they have influenced society in the past but also how this information sits in history today. As a mother of a daughter studying fashion at university today this would have been a favourite on her bookshelf then and would I am sure will still be enjoyed today because of the significance of the message to girls and women on how far they have come in a society and how relevant this is today. As a teacher I can see all genders enjoying this book as it provides narratives for a bigger audience as well as through education and the important message to young women and girls today. A must for any young person and parent or teacher alike. This presents itself as a historical fictional story book but also so much more… 10/10.