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Fun Costume Ideas for World Book Day
We’ve taken the hard work out of World Book Day with these failsafe characters, from dragons to butterflies, that go with an array of wonderful children’s books.
As World Book Day approaches, it’s time to start planning your child’s look. But which costume to go for? Popular outfits include Violet Beauregarde, Where’s Wally and The Gruffalo but you needn’t be restricted by specific characters from one book – here we’ve picked a selection of pieces from our magical fancy-dress collection that fit with a variety of themes that appear in both classic and modern novels. We’ve also included a round-up of some of the favourite books our staff are currently reading to their children.
Fairy
From J.M. Barrie’s Tinkerbell in Peter Pan to Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies, fairies have captured writers’ imaginations for centuries. Little ones still adore dressing up as these ethereal creatures and this season we have a beautiful new fairy outfit made from layered pink and ivory pleated organza with wings. Simply magic!
Dragon
Most children love the myth and legend surrounding dragons. No wonder they’ve inspired numerous stories dating back centuries. Some of our current favourites include The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd and The Night Dragon by Naomi Howarth and we can’t forget Zog, the modern classic by Julia Donaldson. Our striking emerald green dragon outfit is sure to turn heads at the school gates.
‘Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell was the first book that my sons and I both enjoyed reading. My kids loved referring back to the bestiary at the beginning when a mythical creature was mentioned. I’ve never seen my 4-year-old son so invested in a book.’
George Woodley, Web Manager
Owl
Owls have long captured our imaginations. Their quirky looks including their saucer-like eyes and round heads make them a favourite for drawing, painting and crafting too. There are numerous owl-related books for kids from The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson to Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. An owl costume is a good bet, especially for younger children, who will look adorable in it. Our costume features a sweet headdress and tiers of tassels which appear like feathers.
Wizard
It’s not just the Albus Dombledore of the Harry Potter series that have secured wizards as one of the favoured World Book Day outfit choices – there’s a plethora of wizard-themed books for children or all ages. Some of our favourites? The Wizard of Once by Cressida Cowell and the Dungeons and Dragons series by Ulises Farinas. Our plush velvet wizard cape and hat combo will conjure magic for years to come.
‘My seven-year-old daughter is a huge fan of the Isadora Moon series by Harriet Muncaster, which follows a girl who’s half vampire, half fairy and gets up to all sorts of magical adventures. It’s the perfect way to introduce young readers to chapter books.’
Anna Marshall, Acting Global Marketing Manager
Swan
Few creatures are as elegant or graceful as the swan. From E. B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Wild Swans, these stunning birds have captured imaginations and inspired near-mythical reverence. Swan Lake continues to be one of the most beloved ballet productions across the globe. Enter this charming swan outfit, featuring a layered white tulle winged cape and a glittering gold beak headpiece. It’s sure to dazzle!
Butterfly
The prettiest of insects has long been an inspiration for writers. From The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl to the The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison, there plenty of books to choose from to delight younger children. These appliqué wings and headband are an easy way to emerge as the prettiest butterfly around!
Flamingo
This exotic pink plumed bird will ensure your child stands out at the school gates. Flora the Flamingo by Molly Idle and Fabulous Frankie by Simon James Green are fun books based on these quirky pink birds. Our elegant flamingo outfit features a striking headpiece crafted from velvet, cotton, and glitter with sweet embroidered features and wings made from pink tulle and ruffles, plus glittery wristbands.
‘I’m currently enjoying The Breakfast Club Adventures series by footballer Marcus Rashford with my nearly nine-year old son, William. It’s about a bunch of kids who solve mysteries in and around their school. He’s so capitvated by the stories that this series has been the one to encourage him to read on his own!’
Maggie Westhead, Senior Content Editor