Most kids love it.
Our school was in a very working class area and nearly every child participated. Some swapped costumes they had at home, lots came up with ideas from things they had at home, charity shop nearby did a roaring trade and we spent the day doing activities. Staff dressed up too. We put a lot of work into it to get the kids excited about reading. Shared reading KS2 with the KS1 class. Teachers swopped classes and read to the other class. Photo competition of unusual places to read or unusual companions to read to( snakes, ladybirds, budgies, chickens, favourite doll or teddy) and the Governor chose a winner. They were put up so everyone could see them, some were hilarious.
Used Halloween costumes - Winnie the Witch, Pumpkin Soup etc
Others we had were Worzel Gumidge, Miss Punchbowl, Toy Story, Little Bear, Spy books, football stories or non fiction.
Sometimes we had a theme like Circus, Nursery Rhymes, Animals.
Sharing your favourite book, writing up a review and then I stuck them all onto book shapes and displayed them so pupils could read them and might like to chose that book next time.
Visits to the local library dressed up created a stir in town and then the librarian read several of her favourites and explained the library system and they could get a library card if they didn’t have one.
We also had a swap hour where you could leave a book and chose another any left over went into classrooms or the school library.
Why complain about the cost and then say you throw it away? Please don’t. Give it to someone else or a charity shop so someone else can have it.
You don’t need face paints for a cat you can use an eyeliner pencil for whiskers or let your child make a mask from a cereal box.
Please don’t moan about it to your child most of them love Book Day.