To think this is ridiculous for world book day??

[Applescruffle]

Not the day but some of the ridiculous costumes. It's supposed to be a celebration of books and authors but aalli keep seeing every year is kids in superhero costumes or a character from their favourite film.
There's so many characters to choose from, why can't they choose an actual book? Something written as a book that the child has read and enjoyed.
I've just seen a costume that really takes the biscuit. A young, primary aged child dressed as.... Del boy. Yep, Del boy from only fools and horses.
Come on!!
I'm sure it's very funny and clever but it's not only a sitcom and very much not a book, it's an adult sitcom and very much not for kids.

As a book lover and children's author, I just find it a bit sad.

The world book day my daughter remembers best from primary school was the year they decided to do a school wide theme.

They chose 101 Dalmatians. Had teachers with face paint for any kids who just wanted spots or dog noses painted on. Told them to wear spotty clothes.

The teachers all came as either dog stealers or dog walkers (lots of stuffed dogs on leads)

The highlight was when their headteacher, a tall, bald, fairly rotund gentleman, arrived dressed as Cruella Deville.

No real effort required, no one left out and they read the book throughout the day in bits.

That's just lovely!

Why on earth would you want it to be seen? It doesn’t exact portray you in great light.

Misery guts.

I'm organising a massive book swap and second hand book sale in my school. Don't know if we're dressing up. The dress up drives me up the wall. Particularly if I'm expected to dress up myself!!!!!!!

School-wide themes are lovely ONLY if announced before half-term, when you actually have the children on hand for a week to be involved in the choosing/making/trying on their Frozen dress to check it actually still fits etc.

I think we may still have the inflatable ring doughnut purchased as part of a "Norman the Snail with a silly shell" costume made together over half-term only to discover that just after getting back we had just over 24hrs notice that the theme was actually going to be "pirates" - barely allowing time even to Amazon Prime some eyepatch elastic.

Lol at the Del Boy thing...Is there a book about it? I guess there must be. I wouldn't say OFAH is unsuitable for kids. It has some stuff that would go over their heads but it was shown at 7pm so aimed at family audiences. I watched it as a child anyway. They say plonker and stuff, not C/F words etc.

That’s a bit different though, isn’t it?

I don’t really understand how you can “interoperate” world BOOK day as “anything random whatever it’s not from a book”

Find a book with a normal kid in it, wearing the kind of clothes your kid normally wears. Job done.

Book lover and children's author but completely dismissive of comics?

God, I don't miss that pain-in-the-arse day.

We read plenty of books, trust me. If our school did WBD we'd probably just grab one of our generic costumes from inside the cupboard where we keep stuff like that. I am not going to go out and buy a new costume and I have a LOT on my place so it isn't always possible to go all creative and create a costume at home.

As other posters have said, this kind of busywork always falls on women and creates stress for working parents.

Scrap the costumes, have a day when the kids actually bring in and read books instead!

… you’re a teacher and I’m a little surprised by your opinion. I can understand thinking costumes are a faff or that World Book Day has become pointless, but the semi-rant about “proper” books is a bit rough.

First of all, The Works is what some people can afford. And it’s what some children want. As you said, your daughter loves Disney princess books. As long as they’re not teaching children incorrect spelling or grammar, then… let kids read what they want. The goal is to get them started reading. Then their reading can be broadened. Yes, I agree it’d be nice if every parent had £6–8 for each Katie Morag book, but some have to settle for £2 books at The Works, and it’s a good thing The Works is at least an option.

Secondly, the idea about what is and isn’t a proper book is why comic books and graphic novels were not considered “proper” reading for a long time, but they’ve now discovered that they’re a useful tool for some reluctant readers. That’s why all the Disney princess, and Spiderman, and Lego Ninjago books exist as well - because psychologists figured out that a useful way to encourage children to start reading was to meet them where they already are. You wouldn’t expect an adult to read something they weren’t interested in.

I appreciate that you’re a teacher and it’s a VERY difficult job. And I do agree with you about World Book Day - I think it needs a revamp, without costumes for sure. I just feel your opinions about books seem a little antiquated. BUT, I also admit, maybe you’re seeing a negative effect on children from lower quality books. However, that fault ultimately lies with the government - when people have money to spend on their children, they will. And when they can’t, they can’t.

My son would jump at this lol 🤣 he's asking to dress up as Jesus for next Halloween 😁 he's got very interested in Jesus lately (think it's religion in school & grandad goes to mass & brings him )

Exactly so they just won't come to school for world book day. Is that what school want.

That’s a great idea - thanks.

agree on this, it’s nearly always the mothers who sort out costumes. I already had Viking day this year and now need another costume for world book day. My DD reads lot, this day doesn’t encourage reading at all just puts more pressure on mums (parents).

@SarahAndGoose I was confused by your comment about The Works too. When was the last time you went there?
Last summer we bought a whole load of classic novels (Oliver Twist etc) from their 3 for £6 offer. Lovely editions published by Vintage.
Look at this box set they currently have 😂

I actually had a chat with a friend about his last week and she said she always does superhero as her son has the costumes to hand and she doesn't need or want the expense.

Our school are great and ask children to come in comfortable clothes that they would wear to snuggle up and read. So much less pressure and expense for parents than dressing up.

I say this as a book lover and kids that enjoy reading!

I sent DS as Facebook one year.

I was absolutely skint and hadn't realised until last thing the night before. We drew the facebook logo onto a school polo shirt and stuck pictures of all the wee "like" and "laughing" reacts.

I was really stuck and just hoped the teachers appreciated the pun. DS thought it was funny.

DS has a costume day, a story telling day and a day where they have to take in home made dioramas of a book in a jar. He's 5, it's too much.

All it highlights is children who have parental involvement and support and those who don't. His school is 35% fsm and part of the catchment area is quite a deprived estate.
FWIW our house is full of books, he's reading ahead of his age and we read together every day.

I love books and don’t mind the idea of a special day for them - but I absolutely hate the bloody costume bit of it! It’s usually pissing with rain or cold so that limits what you can send them in anyway; I don’t have time to make a costume; and the shop-bought ones are crap and over-priced.

I also feel very sorry for the children who come in no costume or just an accessory. They feel embarrassed beside the children whose parents have splashed out loads on elaborate costumes.

We have school uniform so that all children are equal and not humiliated by their lack of branded clothes and shoes - and then we have this costume competition where children are upset or embarrassed to see others dressed up to the nines in pricey outfits. Absolutely stupid - and nothing to do with books.

I'm a primary school teacher, and this pisses me off every year! So many girls dressed as Elsa and boys dressed as Spiderman!

I am an English teacher. My children have reading ages 4+ years above their actual age. We love reading and read widely. I fucking hate primary school World Book Day because schools just focus on the fancy dress element which I hate - I hate dressing up, I hate making stuff and I refuse to buy a costume that will end up on landfill.

Our PTA collects donated, outgrown costumes then re-sells them for £1. They give costumes to the families they know will struggle with it.

I quite like WBD, my kids get really into it. I've got the runaway pea and Hermione Granger this year.

@2mummies1baby as a teacher why don't you read the class a traditional version of The Snow Queen as story time (the origin of Frozen) and get a few Spiderman comics in and tell the children a bit about the history of comics?