The Night of the Paper Bag Monsters

Susie and Alfred are two little pigs - although there seems no reason why they should be; their behaviour, homes and conversation could just as well belong to hamsters, elephants or, indeed, ordinary children. The story suffers a little from this lack of character identity. I think, but it does have some moments. The plot concerns Susie and Alfred's attempts to make monster costumes for the Hallowe'en party. They quarrel, in a rather refined way ('"Oh, you beast!" cried Susie'), and each goes home to work independently, finally producing wonderful costumes and making up the quarrel at the party. The pictures are lively and detailed and there is a nice joke about 'the little person who came third' in the fancy dress. He is patently a real monster!