The Big Night Out

Lisa Arsenault is a high-school English teacher who is involved in
several ministry campaigns to increase literacy.

Fashionista and media star Jeanne Beker has created a practical and
enjoyable manual for young teenage girls needing fashion advice on how
to dress for a “big night out,” such as a prom or first dance.

Beker sets the tone by recounting her own experiences growing up, and
stresses the importance of developing an original, rather than trendy,
personal style. She acknowledges being influenced by the style sense of
her own teenage daughters, and because of their input is in tune with
the fashion concerns of the young.

Practical advice ranges from the more esoteric development of
individual style (sparking one’s own innate creativity and dealing
with copycats) to the more down-to-earth tips on budget shopping and who
would be the best person(s) to shop with. Accessories from shoes to
handbags to tiaras are explored, and hair and makeup tips are given in a
section devoted to good grooming.

The book addresses the joy of preparation: the excitement of actually
getting ready on the big day, possibly with a bevy of friends, and
perhaps preceded by a dry run to get the kinks out—anticipation being
half the fun. A final checklist ensures that all details have been taken
care of.

Young teens will love this book, which celebrates a hedonistic
milestone in their lives. The breezy, idiosyncratic style of writing,
replete with colloquialisms, reinforces the youthful ethos. The advice
can be sentimental (wear a treasured personal piece of jewellery) and
eminently practical (have a good breakfast before going shopping, and
wear sensible shoes). Sidebars, graphs, recipes, whimsical
illustrations, and tips from the stars are presented in a multitude of
fonts and punchy colours that add to the youthful, effervescent, and
exuberant feel of the book. Highly recommended.