▪	RELEASED BY:		STONE BRIDGE PRESS
		▪	AUTHOR / ARTIST:		GERRY POULOS / MARK SIMMONS
		▪	PAGES:		75
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		05//2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/16/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN

Cosplay has been a staple of the convention circuit for many years.  Whatever your fancy in science fiction television and movies, or fantasy and anime, there seems to be a group out there who will make your dreams and favorite characters come alive through dressing up in the costumes of personalities from those shows.  STAR TREK and STAR WARS have long been staples in the convention world.  With the recent popularity of anime in North America, visitors to conventions now have to get used to the sight of girls running around in cat costumes, school girl outfits, and much more- or less, depending on the role being played.

Cosplay has become a serious business among some groups on the convention circuit, and, occasionally annoying behavior notwithstanding, these dedicated fans add a lot of color to the scene.  Money appears to be the only restriction in this hobby, and for people on a budget wishing to get into the cosplay world, reference books like Stone Bridge Press’  THE ANIME COSTUMING HANDBOOK: COSPLAY CATGIRLS AND OTHER CRITTERS is a must have item to get started.  Affordably priced, it offers a history of cosplay to put this phenomenon into context.  It is also filled with detailed instructions on how to design and make cool looking catgirl outfits for the convention scene.  Illustrated not only with drawings but with photos from conventions, this 80 page book is packed with everything you need to get your catgirl life off the ground.

There are several sections to the book.  Beyond the history, there is a chapter each on such things as making ears, tails, paws, and completing accessories for your costume.  There is a list of anime productions where catgirls have appeared you can use for ideas or reference.  Finally, there is a detailed section on how to act at a convention, especially when competing in a cosplay competition.  What the usual expectations of the judges and the audience are is outlined in detail, and useful tips on how to deal with prop weapon restrictions and how to keep your tail from getting caught in the door are also provided.  These things are important to know.  Considering how skimpy some catgirl outfits are to start with, any wardrobe malfunction could have unfortunate and er, spectacular results.  As for weapons, many conventions have strict rules on them, and these regulations are enforced rigidly.  If you’ve ever been to a convention, you know how packed it can get, so these tidbits in the book are most useful.  The whole text is easy to follow, nicely spaced and the illustrations are handy references in the instructional sections.  The whole book deals respectfully with the subject, but does not wallow in fandom nonsense.  It’s just the facts, nyah!

EXTRA:
This book includes some useful reference material at the end on websites to consult for publishing information on manga and anime.  Also, information on cosplay forums and artwork reference sites are available for wannabe catgirls to consult, including The Catgirl Research Foundation in the U.K., among others.

IN SUMMARY:
THE ANIME COSTUMING HANDBOOK: COSPLAY- CATGIRLS AND OTHER CRITTERS is a great book to have for those who are looking to get into this popular form of fandom in the anime world.  Lots of great tips, easy to follow directions and great reference resources make this affordable book a bargain among guides in the popular world of cosplay.