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Here Comes the Bride

Here Comes the Bride
By Beatrice Marini
Illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone
Tundra Books, 2010. 28 pages. Picture book.

Filomena is the town's most famous wedding dress maker. She dresses very plainly, but makes the most beautiful, elaborate bridal gowns. Filomena dreams of the day when she will have her own wedding. She is ecstatic when the mechanic next door, Rusty, finally asks for her hand in marriage. She makes her gown with every gaudy bow, frill, and flower that her heart desires. When she shows up at the church on their wedding day, Filomena's frightful dress makes Rusty run for the hills. As Filomena runs after him, bits and pieces start coming off of her dress, leaving her with just a simple sheath. Of course, Rusty thinks she looks like the most beautiful woman in the world without all the frills. They get married, and all is well.

The artwork of Anna Laura Cantone is quirky- both beautiful and strange at once. Along with her lively and detailed paintings, she also mixes in scraps of newspaper with both Italian and English phrases. This book is odd but totally endearing!

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