The Custom of Costumes Tricks and...

The eyes have it, and just in time for Halloween too.

“Dr. Paul’s Amazing Eyewear” is a interactive adventure for boys and girls of all ages. The package contains 10 colorful collages, each with a theme and, yes, built-in eye wear ready to perforate and enjoy. The durable paper legs hook over ears, just like real glasses, so they stay on during play--and even adults seem to loosen up when they’re behind a mask. Choose from king, queen, clown, cat, alien, artist, ballerina, astronaut, weightlifter and musician. Each character has a little poem to inspire the first of what is likely to be many imaginative hours. The package serves as a reusable portfolio for storing disguises when not in use.

The truly ambitious or simply voyeuristic can feast their eyes on a spectacular array of costumes in “The Costumemaker’s Art,” a richly illustrated paperback book with more than 250 color plates (plus black-and-white photos and drawings) of creations by more than 100 artists with their remarks about their craft. A preface and two additional essays further expound on the contemporary art of ancient origin; the works are presented in three broad categories: historical, fantasy and future fashion.

Every day we wear a kind of costume, expressing our mood, personality, culture, heritage and desires through the clothes we wear; this books promises to “inspire you to explore the possibilities.”