Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.
Overview
The other night in the library, when many characters were out of their books enjoying a sojourn in the night air, a crime was committed, grim and grave, right in our own library. As a result his Majesty Henry VIII – that famous monarch from the English history books – has disappeared.
Gathered at this table are the characters who were present in the library at the time of the nasty deed. Fortunately Master Sherlock Holmes is here to investigate, so the perpetrator of this heinous crime will no doubt be revealed as the night proceeds.
The suspects
Alice
(from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) “Wonderland was not my imagination. It was a wonderful dream – a dream filled with strange creatures.” I saw a White Rabbit looking at its watch and I followed it down a rabbit hole. I fell down a deep well, but I fell slowly so I had plenty of time to look at the jars of “Orange Marmalade” and such. I came to a bottle saying “Drink Me”, but “the bottle was not marked poison”, so I drank it. I “shut up like a telescope” till I was only “ten inches high”. Then I found a cake marked “Eat Me” and I ate it and grew very tall. My feet were so far away. Dress suggestions: Dress as a little girl with pig tails in your hair and rosy cheeks.
Huck Finn
(from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain) I’m a good boy – honest. Me Pap – he kidnapped me, but I escaped. But before I left, I killed me a pig and made it look like I’d been murdered. Then I hid on Jackson Island, but I found out I wasn’t alone – Jim had run away. So we floated down the river on a raft at night and slept and fished all day. On the way I got mixed up with some con artists – “the Duke and the King” I called ’em cause they pretended to be royals so I’d wait on them. But King Henry was a worse King than the one in my book. “He used to marry a new wife every day, and chop off her head next morning. And he would do it just liken he was ordering eggs.” “Fetch up Nell Glynn”, he says. They fetch her up. Next morning, “Chop off her head!” And they chop it off. “Fetch up Jane..” and so on. King Henry, why he was a plain villain. He kept trying to latch on to me, said I could be his son, but I wouldn’t have a bar of it. Dress suggestions: A country bumpkin with bits of hay sticking out of your old clothes and a beaten up old hat.
Cinderella
(from Cinderella) I am a merchant’s daughter. Then my mother died and my father remarried a widow with two grown daughters. Alas, when I met them, they treated me as a slave rather than as a step-sister. My step-sisters saw me covered in cinders after cleaning the fireplace and, my name being Ella, they gave me the nickname of “Cinder-ella”. After working all day on my chores, I often wondered if I would ever be happy again. The ladies of my household were invited to the Duke’s ball. But my step-mother said I could not go unless my chores were done. Fortunately, my Fairy Godmother came to my aid and – well, you all know the rest of the story. King Henry was fascinated by my glass slippers. I think he thought that if I had no slippers, that the Duke’s son would not find me in my fairytale and then I would be free to marry him instead. Dress suggestions: Dress like a princess with tinsel/glitter or as a servant covered in cinders.
Pinocchio
(from Pinocchio by Carlo Lorenzini – penname Carlo Collodi retold by James Riordan) When I was a puppet I lied a lot, but the Good Fairy taught me not to and to be good. ‘How stupid I was as a puppet. And how glad I am to be a real live boy.’ When I lied my nose became so long I ‘could not move without banging it against the walls or door.’ Geppetto sold his coat to buy me a spelling book for school. I sold it to go to the puppet theatre. Then I saved a puppet from being burnt by the showman and the showman gave me coins for my father. A fox and a cat told me they could multiply my money in “The Field of Miracles”. A bird and the ghost of the cricket tried to warn me not to. The evil fox and cat hung me in a tree to die, but the Good Fairy saved me. But I still let them fool me into burying my money so it would grow. They stole it. Later I became a donkey and ended up rescuing Geppetto from the belly of a whale with the help of the Good Fairy. King Henry thought that I was a silly puppet and he tried to fool me into being his slave. But the Good Fairy warned me that he was an evil man. Dress suggestions: A red jacket with a white frill-necked shirt. Make a pencil nose out of cardboard.
Snow White
(from Snow White by The Brothers Grimm) My step-mother was jealous of my beauty and asked a huntsman to do away with me. He took pity on me and let me run away into the forest and I came to the house of the dwarfs. I ate their porridge. They found me later asleep and asked me to stay and take care of them. But I am not a porridge thief like you Goldilocks, I only took a little from each bowl as I was fainting from hunger. And since then I have kept house for them, so I have repaid my debt to them. My step-mother asked her looking-glass `Who is the fairest of us all?’ and it told her I was living in the glen. Then my stepmother, plotted to get rid of me. She dressed as an ‘old pedlar woman’ and sold me some lace for my waist. Then she laced me up so tight, I `lost … (my) breath, and fell down as dead.’ Fortunately, the seven dwarfs soon returned and cut the lace in two, so that I could draw breath. The Queen knew I wasn’t dead because her mirror told me so, so she came again with a poisoned apple. The dwarfs thought I was dead. A prince saw me and carried me away. Then the apple fell out of my mouth and I came back to life and we married. King Henry kept trying to get me to marry him, but I refused. Dress suggestions: Old-fashioned clothes such as a drawstring sash at the waist, puffy sleeves, flouncy skirt. Black hair, red lips, white skin.
Peter Pan
(from Peter and Wendy by Sir James Matthew Barry) I live on an island inhabited by pirates, mermaids, fairies and Indians. On the island there are lots of fairies like Tinkerbell. “When the first baby laughed for the very first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about and that was the beginning of the fairies.” I taught the three children of the Darling family to fly so they could return with me to the island. We were trying to stop the evil pirate Captain Hook from going about his wicked ways. Then Captain Hook plotted to do away with me and he captured Wendy Darling, but I was able to save her. There is also a crocodile that follows us about that has a clock inside his belly going tick, tick, tick. King Henry was impressed with my victory over Captain Hook. Dress suggestions: A green cap, a green outfit and a toy sword.
Little Red Riding Hood
(from Little Red Riding Hood by various authors) I was on the way to visit my Grandmother when I met the wolf. We chatted about how I was visiting my Grandmother and I told him where she lived. Then he left me and I went to my Grandmother’s cottage. When I came inside my Grandmother’s cottage, I found that she looked very different from her usual self. The Big Bad Wolf locked my Grandmother in the cupboard. So I said to the Wolf who was sitting in bed dressed in my Grandmother’s nightgown, ‘Why, Granny…what big eyes you have got.’ And the wolf said, ‘The better to see you with, my child,’ imitating her voice. I won’t bore you with the rest as you have probably all heard the story. Most versions of the story end happily with my being saved from the wolf’s clutches by my father and the woodcutters. King Henry and the Big Bad Wolf had a lot in common. They were both men that little girls should stay away from. Dress suggestions: A red hooded cape with a dress beneath (possibly also in red). Carry some little cakes or cookies to take to your grandmother.
Robin Hood
(from Robin Hood by various authors) I am a wealthy man who has been forced to become a thief. I steal from the rich and give to the poor. The poor of England were being asked for too many taxes. The taxes were required to fund various political battles overseas. I simply gave back to the poor the money that they had had unfairly taken away from them in the first place. Little John and I met on a plank across a river. But he would not let me pass. He was a large man. He did not see why he should make way for me and so we did battle. He used his staff, but I was victorious in our skirmish. Afterwards, he came to know me and to be one of my main supporters. Dress suggestions: Dress in period clothes, a cape and a mask.
Goldilocks
(from Goldilocks and the Three Bears by various authors) I ate porridge at the bears’ house. The bears hadn’t locked their front door, so that’s permission to eat their porridge, isn’t it? I didn’t get much porridge anyway. Great Big Bear’s porridge was too hot, Middle-sized Bear’s bowl was too cold. So I had to eat Tiny Little Bear’s and his bowl is so small. Then I tried to find a comfortable chair to sit on, but Great Big Bear’s chair was too hard, Middle-sized Bear’s chair was too soft and Tiny Little Bear’s chair collapsed on me. I was getting tired after all this, so I went upstairs to find a bed to rest on. Great Big Bear’s bed and Middle-sized Bear’s bed both weren’t right for me. But Baby Bear’s tiny bed was perfect, so I got in. I didn’t even take my shoes off. King Henry kept saying I was a spoiled little girl and that if I was his child, he would lock me in the tower. The King had a chair in the library that he liked to sit on. It was large and I suppose it reminded him of his throne. Whenever he found me sitting in it, he got very angry. Dress suggestions: Cute little-girl clothes. Tie a ribbon in your golden hair and don a blue dress, a frilly white apron, red shoes and yellow socks.
Aladdin
(from The Adventures of Aladdin by various authors) I met a ‘mysterious stranger who said he would pay me a silver penny if I went down a manhole for him’. I found myself in a ‘large chamber… (filled with) pots of gold.’ ‘Put out the flame and bring me the lamp!’ he said. When I hesitated, he left me in there, dropping his ring in the chamber as he did so. Terrified, I put the ring on my finger and ‘twisted it round and round’. ‘Suddenly the room was flooded with a rosy light and a great genie with clasped hands appeared on a cloud’, and said he was at my command. I told the genie I wanted ‘to go home’ and immediately I found myself there. I told my mother of my adventures. She was a little disappointed I had returned with only the old oil lamp. But she started to polish it and ‘out shot another genie’. He said that we had set him ‘free after centuries’ and that he would be our servant. Things went pretty well after that and I married a beautiful princess. King Henry was jealous of my having a genie and even though he was already wealthy, he ordered me to give me to him but I refused. Dress suggestions: Wear middle eastern clothes (eg baggy trousers). Add sequins and jewels.
The optional authorities
Master Sherlock Holmes (from Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) – I am a man with such superior detective skills that I have become world famous. I already know a lot about each of the suspects, just from looking at their appearance. For example, I can tell Alice is a little girl with a very fanciful imagination and Aladdin is from the Far East. But, I am not a great reader of fiction, I prefer to do chemical experiments and I also play the violin. This certainly does not seem like a normal case. It is more like the Mr Angel case. You may like to read about it in my diary, if you get time. Dress suggestions: Dress in old-fashioned clothes, carry a magnifying glass and a pipe.
Dr Watson (from Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) – I am a skilled doctor but I am also a bit of a cynic and a non-believer until something is proved true. I have great respect for Sherlock Holmes. Dress suggestions: Dress in old-fashioned clothes.
Mrs Bookworm (The librarian responsible for the cookie cupboard) – Although I try to be helpful, a lot of the children are afraid of me. I think it is because I am always telling them to be quiet in the library. Dress suggestion: Spectacles, a chain around your neck with a key attached but hidden inside your blouse. A dress or skirt and blouse, but make sure whatever you wear has large pockets stuffed full of things.
Miss Marple (from Agatha Christie novels) – I am just an ordinary woman with a penchant for finding out the truth. Nothing goes unnoticed by me. Things are not what they seem. Dress suggestions: Old-fashioned clothes – very prim and proper. Carry your knitting.
The optional witnesses
Queen of Hearts (from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) Oh there is so much to tell – all about the tea cups and my shouting “Off with his head! or “Off with her head” and all the other people Alice met in Wonderland, but it would take too long. Alice comes into the library and looks at the children’s books. Dress suggestions: Wear white & stick big red cardboard hearts on your clothes.
White Rabbit (from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) `Silence in the court!’ I am a very busy rabbit. “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!” Dress suggestions: As a white rabbit. Wear a waistcoat and have a pocket-watch hanging out of it. Consult it often. Also wear spectacles. Add a white fluffy bottom and some rabbit ears.
Mad Hatter (from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) `If you knew Time as well as I do,’ `you wouldn’t talk about wasting IT. It’s HIM.’ `It’s always tea-time, and we’ve no time to wash the things between whiles.’ Dress suggestions: Wear a very large hat. Also carry a pocket watch in your waistcoat and a tea cup. Dunk the watch in the cup from time to time. Ask riddles you don’t know the answer to.
Tom Sawyer (from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain) I am Huck Finn’s friend and advisor. Dress suggestions: Dress as a country bumpkin with bits of hay sticking out of your clothes and a beaten up old hat.
Widow Douglas (from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain) I took Huck as my son and I attempted to civilize him. But Huck said he found it “rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal regular and decent” it was, so he ran away. Dress suggestions: Formal clothes (maybe black as you are a widow) and in a long old-fashioned skirt and with a bonnet. You are a Christian so you carry a small bible.
Miss Watson (from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain) I am the sister of the Widow Douglas and I have just come to live with her. I tried to get Huck to learn how to spell, but he just wouldn’t pay attention. Dress suggestions: Dress as a “tolerable slim old maid, with goggles on” and with an old-fashioned long skirt and a bonnet. Maybe carry a spelling book.
The Fairy Godmother (from Cinderella) After working all day on her chores, Cinderella often wondered if she would ever be happy again. The ladies of her household were invited to the Duke’s ball. But Cinderella’s step-mother said she could not go unless her chores were done. Fortunately, I came to Cinderella’s aid and – well, you all know the rest of the story. Dress suggestions: Dress like a fairy complete with wings and a wand with which to grant wishes.
Step-Mother (from Cinderella) I am a proud woman and I have two daughters and Cinderella is my step-daughter. We call her “Cinderwench” or “Cinderella” because she sits amongst the cinders after she does her work. Dress suggestions: Dress like a very wealthy lady (eg a long flowing dress with nice jewellery and long gloves).
The Queen (from Snow White by The Brothers Grimm) I dressed as an ‘old pedlar woman’ and sold Snow White some lace for her waist. Then I laced her up so tight, she `lost … (her) breath, and fell down as dead.’ Unfortunately, the seven dwarfs soon returned and cut the lace in two, so that she could draw breath. I knew she wasn’t dead because my mirror told me so, so I came again with a poisoned apple. The dwarfs thought Snow White was dead. A prince saw her and carried her away. Then the apple fell out of her mouth and she came back to life and they married. Dress suggestions: Dress as a queen with a crown and a long gown. Add a nasty face mask.
Bashful Dwarf (from Snow White by The Brothers Grimm) I live in a clearing in a cottage which Snow White found had a “tiny door, tiny windows and a tiny chimney pot. Everything about the cottage was much tinier than it ought to be.” I am not any tinier than the other dwarfs, but I am shy. Dress suggestions: Wear a little red cap and carry some tools to work with in the mine. But always hide in the corner or turn your back to everyone or pull your cap down over your face, because you are so painfully shy.
Happy Dwarf (from Snow White by The Brothers Grimm) When Snow White appeared she cooked for us and put “a bowl of hot steaming soup on the table, and (made) the whole house spick and span”. No wonder I am so happy having had someone like her caring for me. Dress suggestions: Wear a little red cap and carry some tools to work with in the mine. Always have a big smile upon your face. Maybe make your smile bigger by drawing some extra smile lines at the corners of your mouth.
Good Fairy (from Pinocchio by Carlo Lorenzini) I am the Lovely Maiden with Azure Hair (blue hair). But really I am none other than a very kind Fairy who had lived, for more than a thousand years, in the vicinity of the forest. Later Pinocchio becomes a donkey and ends up rescuing Geppetto from the belly of a whale with my help. Dress suggestions: Dress as a fairy with blue hair.
Geppetto (from Pinocchio by Carlo Lorenzini) A fox and a cat told Pinocchio he could multiply his money in “The Field of Miracles”. A bird and the ghost of the cricket tried to warn him not to. The evil fox and cat hung him in a tree to die, but the Good Fairy saved him. But Pinocchio still let them fool him into burying his money so it would grow. So they stole it. Dress suggestions: Old-fashioned clothes. Wear a workman’s apron with a few tools poking out of pockets. You may also smell fishy because of your time in the belly of a whale.
Tinkerbell (from Peter and Wendy by Sir James Matthew Barry) There is also a crocodile that follows us about that has a clock inside his belly going tick, tick, tick. I used my magic fairy dust to help Peter Pan and Wendy and the others to fly. On the island there are lots of fairies. “When the first baby laughed for the very first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about and that was the beginning of the fairies.” Dress suggestions: Dress as a golden fairy with a little bell you always ring as you move about.
Wendy (from Peter and Wendy by Sir James Matthew Barry) I am Wendy Darling. Peter started to visit us at night and then he took my brothers and I with him to Never Never Land. Dress suggestions: Dress in old-fashioned little-girl clothes. Have your hair tied in two pig-tails with pretty ribbon.
Crocodile (from Peter and Wendy by Sir James Matthew Barry) Peter flung Captain Hook’s arm towards me so I ate it. I have followed Captain Hook about “ever since, from sea to sea and from land to land, licking (my) lips for the rest of” him. I also swallowed a clock so they know when I am about because of my tick. Dress suggestions: Dress like a crocodile with a large mouth and lots of teeth. Also carry a hidden loud ticking clock.
Maid Marian (from Robin Hood) Although I am a lady, I am also able to fight like a man. I love Robin dearly. Dress suggestions: Although you are a lady when you want to be, you should don trousers, a frilly shirt and carry a bow and arrow or a sword.
Little John (from Robin Hood) I am a large man. I was an adversary of Robin Hood but I have since become his loyal supporter. I am not a little man or a weak man. I did not see why I should make way for Robin Hood and so we did battle. I used my staff and was victorious in our skirmish. Afterwards, however, I came to know Robin Hood and to be one of his main supporters. Dress suggestions: Wear old-world clothes. Add stuffing to make your belly round.
The Grandmother (from Little Red Riding Hood) The Big Bad Wolf locked me in the cupboard. So Little Red Riding Hood, said to the Wolf who was sitting in bed dressed in my nightgown, ‘Why, Granny…what big eyes you have got.’ And the wolf said, ‘The better to see you with, my child,’ imitating my voice. I won’t bore you with the rest as you have probably all heard the story. Most versions of the story end happily with Little Red Riding Hood being saved from the wolf’s clutches by her father and the woodcutters. Dress suggestions: A long nightgown with a bed-jacket and a bonnet on your head.
The Wolf (from Little Red Riding Hood) When Little Red Riding Hood saw me dressed in her Grandmother’s bonnet, she said “O, Granny, what great–big–teeth–you’ve–got!” And I said, “The better to eat you up!” Dress suggestions: Dress in a bed-jacket with a bonnet on your head but add some ears and large teeth so everyone knows you are a wolf.
Papa Bear (from Goldilocks and the Three Bears) Goldilocks tasted my porridge, sat in my chair and lay on my bed. But she found my porridge too hot and my chair and my bed too hard. Dress suggestions: Dress as a large-sized father bear but with normal clothes on top.
Mamma Bear (from Goldilocks and the Three Bears) Goldilocks tasted my porridge, sat in my chair and lay on my bed. But she found my porridge too cold and my chair and my bed too soft. Dress suggestions: Dress as a medium-sized mother bear but with normal clothes on top.
Baby Bear (from Goldilocks and the Three Bears) I am the innocent victim of Goldilocks. She ate my porridge, broke my chair and I found her asleep in my bed. Dress suggestions: A little bear but with normal clothes on top.
Princess Halima (from The Adventures of Aladdin) I am the Sultan’s daughter. Aladdin glimpsed me in my sedan chair when I was being carried through the streets. He decided he wanted to marry me. Dress suggestions: Wear middle eastern clothes. Add lots of pretty veils. Sequins and jewels are acceptable as you are dripping with wealth.
The Genie (from The Adventures of Aladdin) I helped Aladdin to become a prince. I live in Aladdin’s magic lamp. Dress suggestions: Wear middle eastern clothes (eg baggy trousers) and a turban. Carry the lamp in which you live.
Characters from other books
Mrs Elinor Ferrars (from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen) – I am a lady with such sense and sensibilities as to have proper regard for all who become my worthy acquaintance. Although the late King Henry was also from England, his manners in no way be cometh him to me. He was capable “of the utmost meanness of wanton ill-nature.” I found him detestable. Dress suggestions: Wear a long dress or a skirt and long blouse buttoned to the top. You may like to tie your hair tight in a bun. Dress very conservatively.
Oliver Twist (from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens) – At the workhouse, I lived on “the smallest portion of the weakest food possible.” Later I went to London. The people I lodged with turned out to be none other than a gang of thieves, but I did not realize it till later. King Henry was a bloodthirsty tyrant who always got what he wanted, but “thinking it might be dangerous to express (my) feelings more openly”, I said nothing. Dress suggestions: Dress as a pauper with lots of holes in your clothes and grime. A bit of soot on your face would not go astray.
Lady Macbeth (from Macbeth by William Shakespeare) – My late husband was briefly King of Scotland. But my husband’s nature was “too full o’ the milk of human kindness”. In the end the madness caused me to take my own life and my husband was slain by the sword of Macduff. So now I a widow be. Although of royal blood both King Henry and I be, he filled “me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood.” Dress suggestions: Wear a long dress with lots of petticoats. Dress wealthily.
Puss in Boots (a fairytale by various authors) I was given to the youngest son of a miller. He wasn’t very happy to get just a cat. So I convinced him to give me some boots and a bag and told him I could be pretty handy. Over a period of time I caught prey, which I gave to the King to gain favor for my master. The King happened to have a very beautiful daughter. She and my master fell in love so it was up to me to make him rich so he could marry her. I did this by tricking a rich ogre to turn into a mouse which I promptly ate leaving all the estates and castle to be taken over by my young master. After that I led a really restful life. Dress suggestions: A large hat with a large feather (like a peacock’s) in the band. As big a pair of boots as you can find. An old fashioned, three-quarter length coat.
Cleopatra (from Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare) – I am queen of that fair country Egypt. O! my oblivion is very Antony (Marc Antony), and I am all forgotten. He married Octavia, Caesar’s sister to please Caesar. My anger at hearing this, was such that it would “melt Egypt into Nile!” King Henry, swept away by my beauty, tried to catch me in his noose, but by his fetters I’ll not be bound. Dress suggestions: Wear loosely draped material to form a toga. Make your face white with powder. You may like to draw Egyptian symbols or pyramids and the like on your clothes.
Don Quixote (from Don Quixote of the Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes) – I am a knight-errant. I go throughout the land “offering… (myself) to occasions and dangers, which, being once happily achieved, might gain …(me) eternal renown”. I am also fulfilling my duty to mankind. I do it all for my “Dulcinea de Toboso”. King Henry failed to appreciate the velour of a knight such as I. He had the audacity to tell me to “get out of his way and go attack a windmill”. Dress suggestions: Dress as a knight with swords and armor and the like. Make it as over the top as you can.
Joan of Arc (from books on the history of France) – I was born a French peasant in Domremy, Champagne. When I was about 13, I began to hear the voices of the saints who told me that I had the mission of liberating France from England’s domination. When I was 18, after being tested by a group of theologians, Charles placed his troops under my command. During my rule, they were successful against the British. King Henry didn’t like me because I was a Catholic and he had ousted the Catholics from having any power over England. Dress suggestions: Dress as a soldier but also as a saint. You may like to wear a rosary or carry the stake on which you were burned.
Dracula (from Dracula by Bram Stoker) – Although appearing a true gentleman, I sometime takes the form of wolf, bat and, of course, blood-sucking vampire. I have “peculiarly sharp white teeth” which protrude over my ruddy lips. King Henry realized that being dead himself, he had a lot to fear from me, an Un-Dead. He thought it was beneath his royal dignity to suck people’s blood. Such false pride hath he. Dress suggestions: Dress in the clothes of a gentleman but you may like to add fake blood, red lipstick, white powder on your face and, of course, very long canine teeth.
Dr Frankenstein (Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley) – Many know how I gathered various body parts from graveyards and the like. It is true that I was foolish in my quest to create a living being. I remember the night when my creature came to life: “I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs”. Dress suggestions: Old-fashioned period clothes. Don a laboratory coat and some strange tools.
The Monster (Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley) – But even though Frankenstein had spent so much time and effort creating me, he found me so horrible, he ran in revolt. I reeked of the dead that had been used to create me. I met King Henry in the library. I found him more horrible than people found me as a monster. Dress suggestions: Wear clothes that look stitched together and draw some stitches on your brow.
Wizard of Oz (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum) To get to my place you follow the yellow brick road. People think that I can accomplish anything. Dorothy and her friends came to see me. The Scarecrow was in search of a brain. They all expected me to wave a magic wand and to solve their problems for them, but I didn’t. Dress suggestions: A wizard’s outfit with stars and the moon on it and with a long pointy hat.
Scarecrow (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum) I was very upset because I didn’t think I had the intelligence to be able to capture the Wicked Witch. But we did succeed and so we returned to see the Wizard, only to find he wasn’t really able to do anything. But he did point out to us that we already possessed what we sought. I already had a brain. I just had to start using it. Dress suggestions: Dress as a scarecrow with bits of straw coming out of your torn and tattered clothes (eg check flannel shirt and blue overalls).
Dorothy (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum) After I was captured by the flying monkeys and I defeated the Wicked Witch of the West – I came back to the Wizard – only to find out he had no powers at all. He offered to take me back to Kansas in his balloon, but then took off without me. Fortunately, someone told me to use my magic slippers. Dress suggestions: A blue dress with a white blouse underneath. Add white socks and magic red shoes. If you can, add long black hair tied in two bows.
Hansel (from Hansel and Gretel recorded by the Brothers Grimm) Dad was a woodcutter by trade but didn’t earn much. Our step-mother was always trying to get rid of me and my sister Gretel because there wasn’t enough to eat. The first time she tried to get us lost in the woods I laid a trail of white pebbles from the house so we could find our way home. The second time I crumbled up the bread we’d been given for lunch. But the birds ate up the bread trail and we were lost for three nights. Then we came upon the bread and cake house and the old hag who wanted to eat us. That’s when Gretel proved her metal. Dress suggestions: Wear tattered clothes like cut off jeans, old shirt with a vest over it. Go bare footed or wear old sandals.
Gretel (from Hansel and Gretel recorded by the Brothers Grimm) The old hag we met in the woods tricked us into thinking she was nice. She was actually planning to eat us. She locked poor Hansel up in the stable and tried to fatten him up. When she lit the fire for the stove and asked me to climb inside to test the heat I played dumb. I asked her to show me how. When she had her head and shoulders in the oven I shoved as hard as I could and in she went. Boy was Hansel pleased when I let him out of the stable. When we got home our stepmother had died and father was very happy to see us. Dress suggestions: Wear a pinafore over a plain blouse and skirt. Go bare footed or wear old sandals.
Old Hag (from Hansel and Gretel recorded by the Brothers Grimm) I had a gingerbread house. When a little boy and a little girl came by my house and started to eat it, I made them a feast, in order to feed them and then eat them. However, Gretel tricked me into getting into the oven, and Hansel and Gretel escaped. Dress suggestions: Carry a cane, die your hair black or wear a wig, and wear dark eye shadow. Wear raggedy clothes.
Soldier (from the Twelve Dancing Princesses recorded by the Brothers Grimm) I am a soldier who just returned from war. I heard the King was offering his eldest daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who figured out how his 12 daughters wore out their shoes every night despite being locked in their bedroom. An old woman in the woods gave me an invisibility cloak and told me not to eat or drink anything the princesses gave me after putting it on. I discovered the princesses were leaving through a trap-door in the floor and going to a secret kingdom to dance all night. Dress suggestions: Carry a cane and wear some medals or some patches to show you are a soldier. Wear khaki pants, shirt and sneakers. Carry a twig painted silver and a golden cup.
King (from the Twelve Dancing Princesses recorded by the Brothers Grimm) I have twelve daughters that mysteriously wear out their shoes every night. Since I lock their door at night, I cannot figure out how this happens. I have promised my eldest daughter and my kingdom to any man that figures out how my daughter’s shoes get worn out. Dress suggestions: Wear a crown and a colorful stretchy silk shirt. Wear some colorful pins and jewelry.
Eldest Daughter (from the Twelve Dancing Princesses recorded by the Brothers Grimm) The King gave me – his eldest daughter – to the old soldier in marriage because he discovered that we were wearing out shoes out because we were sneaking out to go dancing every night. Dress suggestions: Wear a crown and a colorful beautiful dress. Wear some colorful jewelry.
Fish (from the Tale of the Fisherman and The Fish by the Alexander Pushkin) I am a golden fish who was caught from the sea by a fisherman. I did not want to turn into his dinner, so I promised him to make his wish come true if he let me go. I did this several times for him, but despite fulfilling his wishes, he did not seem happier. Dress suggestions: Wear all yellow/gold colored clothes. Make “fins” for your arms out of cloth or cardboard as well as a tale fin.
Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk as told by Joseph Jacobs) Mother and I were so poor that I had to sell our only cow. I was supposed to go to market but I met a man who swapped some beans for the cow. Mother was so cross she threw the beans out the window. In the morning the beans had sprouted and grown up through the clouds. Naturally I had to climb it. It led to another country and that’s where I met Mr and Mrs Giant. Boy – were they loud! Dress suggestions: Green knickerbockers with long white socks, a vest over a shirt. Stick some leaves in your pockets and socks. Carry a few beans.
Mr Giant (from Jack and the Beanstalk as told by Joseph Jacobs) That pesky Jack stole all my money and the hen that laid golden eggs, and my singing harp. Then he killed me by cutting down the beanstalk with me on it. I only threatened to grind his bones into flour for my bread. He’s not a nice boy. He even tricked my wife into thinking he was going to help her with the housework. Dress suggestions: Wear padding under loose fitting clothes. If you can, use stilts. Talk very loudly and say “FEE-FI-FO-FUM” a lot.
Mrs Giant (from Jack and the Beanstalk as told by Joseph Jacobs) My husband is very loud and not very considerate. He doesn’t realize how much work is involved with keeping such a large house and preparing such large meals. It’s not easy providing him with a whole pig and a dozen pies at one meal. That’s why I let young Jack in to give me a hand with the chores. Dress suggestions: Plain clothes with a large apron. Wear clogs if you have them. Talk loudly.
Thumbelina (from Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen) I was born to be very, very tiny, no bigger than a lady’s thumb and I slept in a lacquered walnut shell with a rose petal coverlet. One night I was stolen by an ugly toad who wanted me to marry her son. Yuk!! Some fish and a butterfly helped me escape and I had many adventures. I ended up spending the winter with a kind field mouse, but she wanted me to marry the neighboring boring old mole. After befriending a poor injured swallow because we were both great singers, he flew me off to his home. Poor Swallow had fallen in love with me, but when he put me on a beautiful white flower there was the Prince of the spirits of the flowers already there. Naturally we fell in love and lived happily ever after. Dress suggestions: Old fashioned, delicate long dress. Braid you hair and wear flowers in it. Speak with a tiny voice.
Toad (from Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen) I carried off a tiny girl that emerged from a flower. I wanted her to marry my son, but she ran away. Dress suggestions: Dress all in green. Croak from time to time.
Beetle (from Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen) I befriended a tiny girl who had emerged from a seed, but after my friends rejected her, I stopped and discarded her. Dress suggestions: Dress in black or black with white stripes.
Mole (from Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen) I am the neighbor of a field mouse who took in a very small girl the size of a human thumb. My neighbor suggested to Thumbelina that she marry me, a prospect I found quite exciting. However, Thumbelina thought I was too ugly to marry. Dress suggestions: Put on cream colored mittens or gloves. Wear black or brown pants and shirt. Cut a large red spot out of colored paper and attach it to your clothes.
Prince of the Flowers (from Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen) I am a tiny prince. I am the spirit of the flowers. I met Thumbelina in a field of flowers. We fell in love immediately. We wed. Then she gained some wings and now we travel from flower to flower together. Dress suggestions: Put on a crown and wear colorful royal clothes and also wear some flowers.
Velveteen Rabbit (from the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams) I am a stuffed toy rabbit that was given to a boy for a Christmas present. The boy wanted me to become real. He was told by a Skin Horse that only if I was loved enough could I become real. So, he set out to love me as much as possible. I quickly became the boy’s constant companion, and became very shabby as well. However, when the boy became ill, he was forced to give me up. I was supposed to be burned in a bonfire; however, a tear slipped from my eye when waiting for the bonfire, and the Nurse Magic Fairy appeared to make me become real. Dress suggestions: Wear rabbit ears and make a tail out of cotton. Make the ears and tail “shabby” or “dirty” by rubbing them with dirt, brown paint, or tearing them. Wear brown with white spots.
Skin Horse (from the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams) I am a friend of a boy who received a Velveteen Rabbit for Christmas one year. As I am an animal with a lot of wisdom, I told the boy if he truly loves a toy, it will become real. Dress suggestions: Dress all in brown. Wear long blond wig.
Beast (from the Beauty and the Beast as retold by Madame Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont) I am a prince who was turned into an ugly beast by fairy that I didn’t let in from the rain. I made a beautiful woman named Belle live with me in my luxurious castle after her father tried to take a rose from my garden. After Belle finds me dying from heartbreak because she left me, her tears awaken me back to my original “prince” state. Dress suggestions: Dress as an ugly beast but in luxurious regal clothes.
Belle (from the Beauty and the Beast as retold by Madame Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont) My father gave me to the Beast to live in his castle. I thought I didn’t like him, but when I saw him dying in the mirror he had given me after I left him; I realized how good he had been to me. When I rushed back to him and found him dead, I cried tears of love and at that moment he returned to his original form as a handsome prince. Dress suggestions: Dress in a beautiful dress. Carry a mirror.
Mermaid (from The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen) I wanted to become human so I might marry the prince I had saved from drowning. The Sea Witch gave me a potion that would allow me to do so, but if the prince did not decide to marry me, I would die. I agreed to this, but the prince decided to marry a princess that his father wanted him to marry. I could have regained my long life by slaying him, but I could not do it. Dress suggestions: Wear a long green skirt with green shoes or sandals, if you can find them. Wear a purple blouse and put ribbons in your hair.
Prince (from The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen) I am a prince of a fabulous shore-side kingdom. I once met a beautiful mermaid who had temporarily taken human form after being given a potion to drink. She would have stayed human had I chosen to marry her, but my father ordered me to marry a princess. I agreed because I discovered that it was she that I really loved anyway. Dress suggestions: Wear a dress white shirt and a pair of dress slacks. Perhaps wear a cap and put a sash over your shirt.
Sea Witch (from The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen) I gave the Little Mermaid a potion to take that would allow her to take human form, although I told her it would shorten her lifespan. As a sea witch, I can control many aspects of nature relating to water. I can also control the wind, and sometimes give ropes with three knots in them to sailors for good luck. Dress suggestions: Paint your skin purple or just dress in purple. Wear a long white-haired wig. Carry a rope with three knots in it.
Pecos Bill (from the Saga of Pecos Bill as told by Edward O’Reilly) I am the roughest, toughest cowboy anywhere. I fight the bad guys and always win. I can ride any horse, or any other critter for that matter. Once I rode a tornado ‘til it gave up and turned to rain. Sometimes I use a rattlesnake as a lasso. My horse’s name is Widow Maker. Dress suggestions: Dress as a tough cowboy. Carry a plastic rattlesnake.
Mary Mary Quite Contrary (from the famous nursery rhyme) I have a garden which has plants I call “pretty maids” which are all in row. I decorate the garden with silver bells, cockle shells. Dress suggestions: Wear old fashioned clothes and a bonnet and carry gardening tools and silver bells and cockle shells.
Jack (from the famous nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill”) I ran up the hill with my girlfriend Jill to get a pail of water. Unfortunately, I fell down the hill and ended up breaking the top of my head. Thus, I hurried home and put vinegar and paper around the top of my head in an attempt to soothe it. Dress suggestions: Carry a bucket with water. Fasten brown paper dipped in vinegar around your head.
Jill (from the famous nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill”) I went up the hill with my boyfriend Jack to get a pail of water. Jack fell down, breaking the top of his head. And I tumbled down the hill after him. Jack ran home and wrapped his head in paper dipped in vinegar. I followed him, and laughed when I saw his head. Then, I suggested we play at the see-saw across the gate. Dress suggestions: Dress in a skirt and blouse. Wear pig-tails. Carry a pail of water.
Jack Sprat (from the famous nursery rhyme “Jack Sprat” as told by John Clarke) I eat no fat, and my wife eats no lean foods. Between the two of us, we lick the platter clean. Dress suggestions: Dress in vertical stripes to make yourself look skinny. Carry fat-free foods or pictures of them.
Mrs Jack Sprat (from the famous nursery rhyme “Jack Sprat” as told by John Clarke) My husband Jack can eat no fat, and I can eat no lean. Between the two of us, we lick the platter clean. Dress suggestions: Wear a lot of padding to make yourself look as obese as possible. Carry fattening foods or pictures of them.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin (the legend as told by the Brothers Grimm) When the town of Hamelin was suffering a rat-infestation in the year 1284, I promised to remove the rats for pay. The townspeople eagerly agreed to my offer, and with my musical pipe, I was able to lure the rats away. However, the townspeople never did pay me. To get revenge for this, I then lured some of the towns-children into the river with my musical pipe. Dress suggestions: Wear a joker’s hat. Dress in colorful stripes. Carry a recorder or flute.
Little Polly Flinders (from the nursery rhyme) I sat by the cinders warming my toes. When my mother came and caught me, she scolded me for burning my new clothes. Dress suggestions: Wear sandals, and paint your toes bright red. Wear old fashioned clothes and a bonnet. Add some soot to your clothes.
Jack Be Nimble (from the famous nursery rhyme as told by James Orchard Halliwell) I was told to be nimble and quick in order to jump over a candle stick. Jumping over candlesticks was a sport, and if one cleared the flame without extinguishing it, it was supposed to be a symbol of good luck. Dress suggestions: Wear a night cap and pajamas. Carry a candle.
Old Mother Hubbard (from the famous nursery rhyme) I went to the cupboard to give my dog a bone. However, there was nothing in there to give him. I then went to the baker’s to buy some bread for the dog, but when I arrived back home, my dog had died! I then went to the undertaker’s to buy a coffin for my dog, but when I came back, the dog was laughing. My dog continued to play tricks on me. What a strange dog I do have! Dress suggestions: Wear a bonnet, glasses & long dress. Carry a toy dog.
Georgie Porgie (from the famous nursery rhyme as told by George Bernard Shaw) I kissed the girls and made them cry. When the boys came out to play, I ran away. In the original song about me, they called me “Rowley Powley”. Dress suggestions: Dress as a child from the 19th century. Wear a curly blond/white wig and a shirt with a high collar. Carry a pudding and/or a pie. Put cushions under your clothes to make yourself look plump.
Little Bo Peep (from the famous nursery rhyme) I’m a shepherdess, but I’m in trouble because I’ve lost my sheep. I fell asleep and they wandered away. Now I have to take my crook and search the hills and meadows for my bleating sheep. Dress suggestions: Wear a flared dress with pantaloons (tights) underneath and a straw bonnet with a ribbon tied under your chin. Carry a crook – you can make one from an old umbrella handle and cover it with silver foil. Tie a satin bow around it.
Little Jack Horner (from the famous nursery rhyme) I sat in the corner eating my Christmas pie. I put my thumb in the pie and pulled out a plumb and said, “What a good boy I am!” Dress suggestions: Carry a small pie and/or just a plumb. Wear Christmas clothes, perhaps donning red and green.
The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe (from the famous nursery rhyme) I lived in a shoe. I had so many children; I found it hard to feed them all and to control them. So I gave them broth without any bread and I whipped them all soundly and put them to bed. Dress suggestions: Wear worn out clothes and carry a big shoe and some broth.
Humpty Dumpty (from the famous nursery rhyme) I sat on a wall and had a great fall. Even all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, could not put me back together again! My fall was originally part of a riddle because in olden times a short and clumsy person was called a “humpty dumpty”, but the riddle became so famous that now everyone knows I am an egg. Dress suggestions: Wear blue pants, a white shirt, and a bow-tie. Make a white egg-shaped cardboard mask & wear it or hold it up in front of your face on a stick.
Ugly Duckling (from The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen) As a small duckling, I was made fun of for my bad looks. I ended up leaving my flock, and I lived with an old woman and her cat. However, they ended up not wanting me either. I then tried to join a flock of swans, but because I was so ugly, they refused to let me be one of them. I spent my winter alone, cold and miserable in the outdoors. However, when I woke up the next spring, I had transformed into beautiful swan. Dress suggestions: Wear a dirty white shirt and pants. Smear brown and black face paint on your face.
Little Boy Blue (from the famous nursery rhyme) I am a boy who was supposed to blow his horn. It was my job to look after the sheep, but I fell asleep under a haystack. Dress suggestions: Wear a three-quarters hat and dress in blue. You may like to carry a trumpet.
Little Miss Muffet (from the famous nursery rhyme) I sat on a tuffet (a low seat) eating curds and whey. When a spider came along, I was frightened away. Dress suggestions: Dress as a young girl, wearing pig-tails, if possible, and a sundress. Carry a fake spider, as well as some cottage cheese.
Old King Cole (from the famous nursery rhyme) I called for my pipe and called for my bowl and called for my fiddler’s three. My “pipe” was what I called my recorder. I am a merry old soul. Dress suggestions: Wear a crown and robe as well as lots of jewels and/or pins. Carry a flute or recorder. Laugh a lot.
Old Mother Goose (from the famous nursery rhyme) Whenever I wanted to wander, I would ride through the air on a very fine gander. That same goose sometimes flew up to the moon. Dress suggestions: Dress as old woman with a long dress and bonnet. Carry a picture of a goose.
David Copperfield (from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens) I’m an optimistic, hard-working boy. Of all of Dicken’s books, I am the character most closely based on Dicken’s actual life. After being brought up by the violent, cruel family of the man my mother married before she died, I was sent away to boarding school and later to a factory. But I ran away from it. Dress suggestions: Wear a white-collared shirt and a vest. Wear tie pants and boots.
Little Girl With A Curl (from the nursery rhyme) I have a curl in the middle of my forehead. When I am good, I’m very, very good, and when I’m bad, I’m, well, horrid. Dress suggestions: Use a curling iron to put at least one curl in the center of your forehead. Paint a pout on your face with lipstick or face paint. Dress as a young girl, perhaps wearing a school uniform.
Tortoise (from The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop) I was challenged by a hare to a race. The hare was mocking me because I was so slow. However, while we were racing the hare got so far ahead that he decided to take a nap under a tree. I ended up winning the race, because of the hare’s over-confidence in his abilities. Dress suggestions: Wear a green shirt and brown pants. If you have a green or brown hat, wear that, too.
Hare (from The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop) I challenged a tortoise to a race because I thought it would be funny to beat him. Indeed, he was so slow when racing that I decided to take a nap for awhile. But, when I woke up the tortoise was so far ahead of me that I was unable to overtake him, and he won. Dress suggestions: Wear soft clothes, preferably white. Use cotton to make a tail for yourself. Get rabbit ears and put them on a headband.
Miss Mary Mack (from the famous clapping game) I asked my mother for fifty cents to see the elephants jump over the fence. They jumped so high they reached the sky, and they didn’t come back until the 4th of July! Dress suggestions: Dress all in black with silver buttons down your back. Perhaps you could wear a buttoned blouse or dress backwards.
Mary Poppins (from Mary Poppins by the Australian author Helen Lyndon Goff known as her penname Pamela Lyndon Travers or P.L. Travers to disguise the fact she was female) I am a nanny who, although stern, can do all sorts of fun things with children, such as take them to a circus in the sky and throw an upside-down tea party. Dress suggestions: Wear a sunhat and a long dress with a red sash around the middle. Carry an umbrella. If you can, carry a carpetbag.
