Pop’s Top 13: Halloween Edition

school for scoundrels

Happy Halloween everyone! October 31st is certainly about candy, yes. But here at the Cotsen Children’s Library, it’s also about COSTUMES. Over the years, we’ve had a number of costume connections to literary characters and events, and today we wanted to share our thirteen favorites on this oh-so-spooky holiday!


#1 EDGAR ALLAN POE

dr. dana as poeStarting the post off with the master of suspense himself, Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. This was a simple shoulder raven project, photographed in the gorgeous Scheide Library. Fun fact: Dr. Dana went to grad school at the University of Virginia, where Poe was enrolled in 1826!


#2 DOLORES UMBRIGDE, Et Al.

dolores-umbridge-costume

We challenged Princeton University student James Jared to put together as many literary characters as he could in 180 minutes…using only what he could find on the racks of a local thrift store! He did not disappoint! Check out all nine costumes here!


#3 GANDALF THE GREY

gandalf headache 2_4 2023 summer intern Daniel Dias not only got to test a LOTR escape room…he also learned that no one enters the orbit of Cotsen Outreach without eventually wearing a costume! His turn as the iconic wizard has officially earned him the now-and-future title of “Dandolf.”


#4 ROBOT

i heart robotOn the topic of being cajoled into costumes, we present Ian Dooley, Cotsen’s former Curatorial Assistant, who climbed into a robot costume to make a story time wish come true. Ian is now working on his Ph.D. at the University of London. There is a correlation in here somewhere.


#5 THE PIT CREW

team coverallWhile these costumes might not seem terribly exciting, Katie and I both wanted to include them on the list. Our pit crew coveralls served as well at a Cars and Trucks and Things that Go creative event. We have worn a LOT of event costumes over the years, but these took the trophy for comfort and practicality on a very busy day!


#6 EPIC VILLAINS

school for scoundrelsAn entire event full of literary villains? YES. A team of Princeton University students  gleefully taught children how to be nefarious, naughty, and nay-saying!


#7 FAIRY GODMOTHER

fairy godmotherSwitching over to the forces of good, we have Princeton University student Sylvia Jacobson, who gamely stepped up to be a Literal Fairy Godmother for our children’s literary society. Here we see her sporting an old wedding dress I spruced up with some rainbow fabric. Sylvia the Sparkly granted wishes very specifically. Definitely check out the post for a good chuckle!


#8 STORY TIME ROYALTY

royal pie

What could have been just an average story time seriously leveled up when Katie and I discovered these costumes at the Lewis Center for the Arts. Pizza was never so faaaaaancy!


#9 ELOISE & MYTHOLOGY

dana and katie 3

When our library re-opened after an extensive year-long renovation, we threw a big party and invited everyone to dress in literary costumes. Katie came as Eloise and I was the Dewey Decimal classification for Mythology. And yes, 291.13 was written on my arm!


#10 VICTORIAN LADIES

ladies of the manorOne of my favorite programs was a historic Victorian tea, complete with costumes, games, and a glorious tea time (blog readers might recognize our beloved Miss Marissa in the middle and Princeton University student Joani Etskovitz on the right). Some of the kids came dressed for tea too! I won’t divulge any more…definitely go check out the post!


#11 PIRATE & VIKING

IMG_3941

A story time featuring Jared Chapman’s hilarious book Pirate, Viking & Scientist got all the kids giggling. But when two staff members at Little, Brown decided to wear our project at the publishing house’s annual Halloween party? We were THRILLED!


#12 STEAM PUNK SPELUNKERS

Here we have three Victorian spelunkers at a massive Journey to the Centre of the Earth event we hosted in 2013. On the right is Princeton University student Kim Freid. As you can see, we were ready to tackle anything the day threw at us, thanks to all the ancient camping equipment I scored on ebay!


#13 DOOMED HEIRESSES

dracula actresses 3We started this post with Poe, and we’ll finish with the equally gothic Bram Stoker. Behold two kidnapped heiresses – myself and Special Collections Reference Professional Emma Sarconi. We’re preparing to scream and swoon our heart’s out in Katie’s masterful Dracula escape room. The jump scares were FABULOUS.

One Headache to Rule Them All

Going on an adventure? Might want to grab an extra bottle of Tylenol before you step off the Shire! We tested the “Lord of the Rings: Shadows Over Middle-earth” escape room by Exit the Game…and it didn’t quite work out for our merry gang!

“Shadows Over Middle-earth” retails for around $20 on sites like Amazon. It’s manufactured by Kosmos, intended for ages 10+, takes 1-4 players, purports to be just above novice level, and takes an estimated 1-2 hours to complete.The box was promising, and included the oh-so-iconic Ring of Power.

Our game testers were Katie, an intrepid 11 year-old nephew of a colleague, and Daniel our summer intern (who sportingly posed in Gandalf gear for this post).

Daniel authored today’s game review, but I’ll preface it by saying – this escape room was much harder then the box suggested. From the adjoining room, I could hear groans, growls, and wizardly exclamations of frustration from the questers. Also, our game was missing a crucial peace at the very end, so it ended up as more a frustrating headache then triumphant quest. As demonstrated by Daniel/Gandalf…

Daniel’s review is below, but don’t miss his interview at the end of this post! Take it away Daniel!


The “Shadows Over Middle-earth” escape room takes the player on an arduous adventure through Middle-earth in hopes of finding and destroying the ring of power, an enchanted band of gold that gives its wielder an unlimited source of power. Gandalf the Grey has enlisted the help of any person brave enough to embark on this dangerous journey to help Frodo and his band of Hobbits find Sauron’s ring and destroy it once and for all.

While the minimum age listed on the box is ten, purchasers should be aware that the skill-level demanded by Gandalf aligns more with a minimum age of fifteen. In addition, this particular escape game is a level two on a scale from novice to expert. It should be noted that while the difficulty is marked as a level two, these brave adventurers felt that it was at least a level four as it expected a high knowledge of riddle and puzzle solving.

This adventure-packed activity includes multiple game pieces, riddle cards, a map, a decoder, and a riddle book. Some materials must be cut, so be sure to have those handy Hobbit shears on hand. Similarly, it is important to note that while these adventurers were brave enough to overcome any obstacle, a missing game piece proved to be a formidable challenge, so make sure to check the box for all listed items before beginning.

While traversing through the enchanted forests and hills of Middle-earth, some adventures may need a helping hand as some riddles can surely sway them off their quest. Fear not, Gandalf has given any brave soul a chance to ask for help! Simply enlist his assistance by picking up a help card and Gandalf will be sure to provide you with more information that will help you solve these crucial riddles. Overall, these courageous participants feel that from one to five stars, this enthralling game earned a solid three stars for its ingenuity and creativeness.

Now, fearless warrior, go out and embark on the journey of a lifetime! Take these tips to help you along the way, but beware, Sauron’s power grows stronger by the minute! Are you ready?


After the quest, we caught up with non-Gandalf Daniel to ask him a little about himself and his experience with us this summer. We have enjoyed having him SO much. His energy and enthusiasm are legendary, as are his scholarly skills. From curating an upcoming #ColorOurCollections, to rolling up his sleeves at story time, Daniel is absolutely brilliant and excels in everything he does. It was truly honor to work with him.

Hi! Tell us a little about yourself!

Hey everyone! My name is Daniel Dias, but you can call me Dan! I am a rising junior at Rutgers University, New Brunswick where I study history and minor in religion. I adore history and it has certainly become something of a passion of mine, whether it be local or world history, the past is something that deeply intrigues me! When I’m not thinking about lost civilizations or what George Washington ate for breakfast that one time in 1778, I enjoy traveling, riding my bike, hanging out with friends, and playing music. I am a Low Brass section leader in the Rutgers Marching Scarlet Knights which is such an incredible experience!

Outside of my hobbies and extra-curricular activities, I work as a Youth Suicide Prevention Associate for the New Jersey chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. I want to make a difference in the world wherever I can, and I have found that if you’re passionate about anything, you can always help people and leave your community and the world a much better place!

Growing up, what was your experience with libraries?

Growing up, I actually didn’t go to the library that often, if ever. It isn’t something that I would like to admit, but I honestly didn’t. I was extremely fortunate to have an array of books in my house, so I didn’t need to utilize my town’s resources that much. However, when I’d travel with my parents, visiting foreign libraries became sort of a hobby of ours and thus, my fascination with diverse approaches to library sciences began. Libraries are a place where every child should go to. They inspire, captivate, and open our minds to the world!

What are you most eager to experience in your internship this summer?

I’d first like to mention how incredibly grateful I am to have been granted access into a world only few really get to see. The knowledge that I have gained in such a short time here at Princeton has already begun to shape my perceptions and broaden my horizons into a field that intrigues me so much. What an honor it is to work in the same space that accomplished professionals work in and what a privilege it is to be able to study in the same library where some of the greatest minds on earth have.

With that being said, I am very eager to experience connections with professionals who, in large part, are the best in their field. I want to learn from them and their experiences in hopes of truly understanding the importance of the work they do on a daily basis and how that fits into the larger picture of scholarly research. Accessioning, cataloging, preserving, conserving…these are all words that are associated with archives and special collections, but I want to get to know the faces behind that. I am eager to challenge myself and hopefully think and act as critically as they do.

What’s next for you?

After this incredible experience comes to an end, I will be enduring the heat during band camp, where the Marching Scarlet Knights will be preparing for an incredible season which will culminate with us marching in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! I will also be continuing my studies in history and am fortunate to say that I will be conducting research again with the Scarlet & Black Research Center at Rutgers. In addition, I will be continuing my work on the mental health front as well as my volunteering at the Woodbridge Public Library, an institution that I owe my gratitude and success to as they have truly enabled me to pursue my passion for historical research and archival sciences. Other than that, I’ll just be running around like usual, eager to get to work!

What are Dr. Dana and Katie REALLY like?

I can honestly say that I have never had the privilege of working with a more dynamic and creative team as Dr. Dana and Katie. In my short time with them, I have seen their ingenuity, wittiness, and craziness create truly spectacular projects for their young patrons. To say that they have such big hearts full of love for every child who comes into the Cotsen Gallery would be a massive understatement. They truly put the time and effort into creating an unforgettable experience for each child! Just be careful, don’t let Katie’s Lego sets or Dr. Dana’s Taylor Swift poncho fool you, they can talk anybody into dressing up like any character, especially me as Gandalf! You should have heard my conversation with my parents after they asked me how my day was! So, if you’re ever visiting Princeton and happen to hear loud noises or laughter coming from the library, don’t be scared for it is only the two coolest people at work!


Awwwwww! Come back to the library anytime Daniel…you’re family now!

Blog update! Everyone is now referring to Daniel as “Dandolf.” AWESOME.

Get a Clue

Always searching for more escape room inspiration, Katie was delighted when her mom sent her a dandy little escape challenge that fit right in the palm of her hand. Though it was small, but packed a mighty punch! Take it away, Katie!


The Cluebox “Escape Room in a Box” is produced by iDventure Machine Factory and retails for around $40 on Amazon. There are three different Clueboxes available for purchase: Captain Nemo’s Nautilus, Davy Jones Locker and Schrödinger’s Cat. The suggested age range is 14+ and the estimated playtime is 60 minutes.

I tackled Schrödinger’s Cat. The wood puzzle box is packaged in a sturdy cardboard box that is covered with images with a funky steampunk motif, including a very cool cat. Inside the packaging is an informational note (in multiple languages) briefly describing the quantum mechanics experiments conducted by Erwin Schrödinger in the 1930s. You are tasked with figuring out how to rescue his cat from inside the wood puzzle box.

The escape room itself is a robust wood box with various gears, interesting sliding tabs, and is covered in hieroglyphics that one would rightly assume will be used to solve the mystery. I took some time to carefully examine the box, looking at all the parts and pieces. It didn’t take long before I found a note on one of the tabs that read “Start,” and it had me follow a series of arrows around the sides of the box to the bottom. There, the arrows stopped near tabs that signaled the start of the room.

The informational note also clearly states that all elements of the box should open smoothly, so you don’t need to force anything and no guessing is required. There is a website link that offers hints if you get stuck and are unable to move on. I always try to solve escape rooms without hints, but I did have to get a bit of assistance with one part (more on that later).

No spoilers, I promise! I methodically worked my way through the puzzles. After about 30 minutes, I got stuck on a brainteaser that I believed involved the strange eye staring from one side of the box. I twisted, tapped, and moved everything around and could not figure out what was going on with the eye. After about 20 minutes without making any progress, I reluctantly visited the hint website to get a tiny bit of help. Turns out I was right about the eye, and after working through the final riddle, I was able to successfully release Schrödinger’s cat. My total time to solve: 72 minutes.

The iDventure’s Clueboxes are a fun addition to the realm of escape rooms. The wood box is beautifully manufactured and the puzzles are a mix of relatively easy to quite difficult. I agree with the suggested age range and feel an adult would need to assist younger children. It is definitely designed for single players, though it could be a fun party game. One aspect I really like is the box can be reset to its initial state after a person finishes the escape room, which allows for others to participate in a future challenge. The solution compartment is also big enough to hold a gift certificate or little note, so you can hide a small present inside as an added bonus for escaping the room.

Cluebox is perfect for an hour or two of individual challenging fun, and it gets my seal of escape room approval!