Petticoats and Frock Coats

November 1, 2011

Gr 5 Up-These well-written and appealing books place clothing and fashion, from underwear to headgear, in the larger context of American history, emphasizing that for most of our past, clothing signified status and reinforced societal roles, especially for women. The series includes information about the clothing of many groups, notably Native Americans, African Americans, soldiers, and children. It also discusses regional and ethnic differences in dress and traces how clothing styles and forms reflected changes in society. Large, attractive period illustrations and color and archival photos and boxed quotes enhance the texts. This series is certain to draw both researchers and browsers.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
This series documents women's and men's clothing, hairstyles and accessories, designers, and inventions of the different periods. Well-researched texts provide clear explanations of the ways important historical events, people, and technology of the times influenced how clothes were designed, made, purchased, and worn. Numerous archival photos and entertaining sidebars contribute to a lively read. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)