To despise what world book day has become

Yes, I'm aware - I'm one of those parents you describe. I don't want things banned because of my circumstances.

World Book Day can be as elaborate or as expensive as you have the time, money and energy for, no need to spoil it for other kids by 'banning' it. IME the people that bang on about getting rid of it are the ones that can't be arsed but feel guilty about it.

DD's school do this. Fortunately she is as on board (or possibly cynical) as me, and having won for her number day costume (which she did deserve as she spent hours making it herself) realises she's unlikely to be picked again, and has chosen a character who wears normal clothes. They do at least try and pick winners where the kids have had some involvement in making their costume, as opposed to the very impressive one's clearly made entirely by parents.

Not sure when it was invented but it's been around since mine were at primary in the early 2000s. They hated dressing up. So I didn't make them, they went to school in their uniform. It didn't impact their education, both avid readers and they weren't the only ones in plain clothes.

I hate world dressing up day with every fibre of my being. It's not about books, its about who can buy the most elaborate and expensive costume that'll only ever get worn once.

Thankfully my youngest also shares my hatred of dressing up. World book day- nope. Theme days- forget about it. Mufti days- not a chance. As far as they are concerned you wear uniform to school and that's final.

The schools don't help if they make it a competition. Mine has annoyed me by doing this this year - it's our third year here and they have suddenly announced 2 prizes per class for best-dressed. It's actually really out of character for what is a very inclusive school in the main.

It's a Harry Potter character...! Did you think it was a p-rn star or something.

I recommend the books, they are some of the most popular children's books in the world. Your kids might like them

Luna lovegood??? What kind of kids character book is that?!!!!!

I just treat my kids to a themed t shirt or jumper eg a Mr Men one for the dc in nursery, or Paddington etc. This year I got a Gruffalo one on vinted but you can get them at sainsburys too.

They'll wear them loads because they like those characters anyway. Job done.

Not if the child is insistent on an expensive outfit to fit in with their peers. Not a spoilt/ungrateful child either. Their wieshes/tears are rooted in wanting to fit in with their friends.

So whilst a great idea in theory, not realistic for everyone. We are not purchasing said outfit, but have a very unhappy child as a result.

I dressed up at primary school for WBD not long after it started, so its not new. What is new is social media parents who spend loads to get the perfect picture to post on insta. There are plenty of book characters who wear 'normal' clothes, just choose one of them.

My older kids school eventually stopped it as the competitivenss got out of hand. There was one couple who would start planning, constructing and sewing over Christmas. Their kids had to win best costume each year. They switched to literary activities which is far better imo. Busy working parents haven't got time for this nonsense, so I just drop a tenner on a costume off amazon (after recently having to do the same for victorian day) which is wasteful and against the spirit but the children get swept up in having to dress up so you have to do it. They should convert it into bring your favourite book in and do literary themes at school across the board imo.

Our school allows children to either come dressed up or wear pyjamas (and bring in their face bed time story) which I think is a great alternative!

Totally agree. And to those parents saying dress them in something mufti/no expensive outfits, that's all very well in theory but not if you have a child wanting to fit in with their peers who WILL be wearing expensive costumes - which have nothing to do with books either. Currently making an outfit for younger child who is still happy to DIY. Refuse to purchase a £30+ outfit for the eldest, and there has been a lot of tears, lots of feasible alternatives but no joy.

Definitely open to raising with the school, but also mindful of those children who do enjoy it, and wary of ruining others fun.

It really depends on your school I guess.
My daughter's school have said to dress in comfy clothes, PJ's or uniform and bring their favourite book in. The older children are going round the younger classes and buddying up to read books to each other and they're having cupcakes I think.

How about this?

Our school has a theme every year, last year was bedtime stories so all the children wore pyjamas. This year it’s cosy stories by the fire so they just need to wear comfy clothes. And bring their favourite book. It takes the needless pressure off of searching for costumes and makes it about the book rather than the costume. They adopted this approach a few years ago after feedback from parents

Our school tried to charge the kids to wear their costumes for it.

That did not go down well.

Totally agree and I have the same rant to anyone who will listen every year!

Thank fuck DC2 is in year 6, so I am done with it for 2 kids (just the 3rd one to go)

The aforementioned DC announced yesterday that they want to go as Gru and a few friends will be minions. Urm - Despicable Me isn't a book and I can't magic up a Gru outfit out of my arse so they'll go in non uniform as planned.

Mine knew they had to choose book characters that wore clothes etc we had available. Not good for the environment or bank balances to buy outfits especially
-Greg Heffley (diary of a wimpy kid- jeans and jumper)

• Angelina ballerina (ballet uniform)
• fancy Nancy (party dress and lots of plastic jewellery/hair bows)
• Alex Rider (jeans and jumper)

It's been like this for years. I don't see why there should be any dressing up involved at all - it should be about books.

Mind you, the BBC had a "favourite books" programme some time ago and really it was all about films! The top "books" were all film adaptations, and the clips were of course all from those films. The text of the books didn't feature at all.

Wow there is really no need for that, 'can't be ar*sed'??

You have no idea what other parents may go through every day. They may be on their own and getting children to school as well as working FT with no help, can be difficult enough without added stresses.

My son won one year as Roderick from diary of a wimpy kid. Black T-shirt with loaded diper in white paint, jeans and I painted his nails black and he wore eye liner. It was simple and last minute.

God forbid that schools should try and get kids to engage in a fun way - we didn't have that in my day!

What a load of fun sponges. For those who dont enjoy dressing up, there are plenty of contemporary characters in jeans in and T shirts (or equivalent) and it can be as expensive and time consuming as you want it to be - no stress required.

Why should something that many kids enjoy be cancelled for a few parents that can't be arsed and obviously feel bad about it deep down (otherwise they wouldn't be making a fuss and tying to stop other kids from having fun)?

Kids are now young adults and I hated book day years ago. Kids hated dressing up too… we gave it an ignoring. Ones an avid reader and one isn’t…

I used to really try and make costumes but I have done 11 years of primary now/ Last year! This year Yr6 kid is going as Lottie Brooks - just normal girls' clothes. She wanted to go as Bella from Twilight as she read her big sister's copies! She hates dressing up. About 10% of kids/parents seem to really like it, and for the rest it is a nightmare along with all other dressing-up days.