Book Week is here! This year will be Pebble’s first official Book Week parade. She’ll be visiting her local primary school along with her kindergarten and joining in the Book Week fun. I’m very much a last minute person, and I struggle to sew a button on to a shirt, so making an elaborate costume is off the cards. Pebble is quite determined to be a “Super Hero Fairy” at the moment, which means that she’ll likely end up wearing her cape and wings from our dress ups box. Easy peasy! I’m sure there’s a super hero fairy in a book somewhere.
Perhaps, like me, you’re doing a last minute panic over Book Week costumes. I’ve seen some fab ones over the years as I’ve celebrated Book Week with the children in my class. I think on of my favourites (not that teachers have favourites, of course) was Mr Strong. It looked so cool! And it’s not too tricky to make at all. You will need to get organised a little bit, to get find a box large enough and paint it, but otherwise it’s very easy to do.
Here are a few other ideas that you can throw together without staying up for hours the night before the parade:
Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
If you happen to have a red dress in the cupboard then this one is super easy.
Peter Pan and Mr Smee from Peter and Wendy by JM Barrie
Mr Smee is especially easy, I’d love to see a cubby little tummy sticking out too.
Max and the Wild Thing from Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Check out the tutorials for these paper costumes over at Red Ted Art
Sam I Am from Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss
If this was my kid I’d take it even simpler (cos I can’t sew!). I’d grab a yellow t-shirt and hat from the cupboard, or cheapies from the shops, and make paper eggs and ham. If you search Google Images for ‘green eggs and ham’ I’m sure you’d find plenty of examples to print.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss
Take a look at the video tutorial for this simple costume over at Kidspot.
The Lorax from The Lorax by Dr Seuss
Gotta love a printable costume!
Fern from Charlotte’s Web by EB White
We have everything in the cupboard or Pebble to wear this costume.
I might even try and convince her that it’s a good idea. Mwahahahaha.
Arthur from the Arthur series by Marc Brown
Super cute, super easy.
Gum Nut Baby from Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs
Kat from The Organised Housewife made this cute gum nut baby outfit for her daughter. Don’t fret! The skirt can be no sew!
Angelina Ballerina from the Angelina series by Katharine Holabird
We already have the ballet gear, all I’d need for this one is some foam and ribbon from the craft shop to make the Angelina face. I’d probably cheat and make some little cardboard ears and stick them on a headband, like the Arthur costume.
Some great ideas! Popette has her first book week parade next week, so we have been thinking of who she can go as. At the moment its either Tinkerbell or Rapunzel, which is easy peasy since she has the costumes. :) x
This year my girls have chosen to go as Little Red Riding Hood, Matilda and The Green Sheep. A friend had the entire red riding hood costume so that was great. For Matilda (quite non-descript), Ellie HAD to have a blue dress (but she was very particular) and a red ribbon in her hair. fortunately i found a few dresses at myer and she was happy with one of them. YAY for me. For Milla, I’m making a green sheep costume. I’ve taken a long sleeve top and glued a HEAP of cotton balls on and then i’ve spray painted it green. I’ve also glued together two puffy balls on a head band for ears and I’ve googled how to do sheep make up. so i’m all set for this Thursday’s dress up day!
My son has book week next week and wants to be the green sheep. I’d love to see a photo of your final product if you’re happy to share?
Hello Gabbi, so sorry, Mel can’t find a photo to share. Good luck with your costume!
No worries, I think I’m sorted now anyhow. Thanks for responding
Found you on Pinterest in a panicked search for ideas. I think I’ll go with Red Riding Hood as my daughter likes me to read that to her but I really like the Angelina Ballerina idea too.
Hi there, my husband and i own a childrens playground and cafe in Brisbane and i was looking for ideas for book week to post on our social media and found your post about last minute book week ideas (august, 2014).
I wasnt sure if these photos were on public domain so i wanted to ask, do you mind if we share them? We would link back to your website as well.