World Book Day is a certainly a key date in the school year calendar, and looked forward to by parents and children alike. But just because the event is done and dusted for another year, doesn’t mean that the joy of reading has to end for you and your family.
Whether your child’s costume was handmade or shop-bought, the most popular World Book Day characters to dress up as are not only likely chosen because of how easy the costume is to make, but because of the wonderful books they came from. Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic stories that inspired the costumes of this year’s World Book Day.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Based on the wizarding world, and following Harry, Ron and Hermione as they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Harry Potter novel series was an obvious choice for dressing up on World Book Day. This is because all the costume requires is a white shirt and some grey trousers that resemble the Hogwarts’ school uniform. Add some accessories such as a stripy scarf and some rounded glasses, and your child is transformed into Harry, himself.
In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Kiddi Caru, 30% of parents thought that Harry Potter would be the most popular costume of choice for World Book Day this year, making it top of the list. Despite the initial book being released back in 1997, its popularity as a children’s book hasn’t faltered throughout the years.
A particular favourite among children aged nine and above, the novels by J. K. Rowling feature the adventures of Harry Potter as he embarks on a journey to becoming a wizard, facing struggles against the dark magic of Lord Voldemort along the way. The seven-book collection is iconic young adult literature, as they cover a range of exciting topics from fantasy, mystery and thriller, to coming of age and romance.
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
It may seem like an obscure story to read nowadays, but the tale of The Snow Queen has had a re-vamp thanks to Disney’s animated film, Frozen. And with 23% of parents thinking that Elsa, out of all the Disney princesses, would be the costume of choice for this year’s World Book Day, you may have seen plenty of blue dresses back on the 4th March.
The original frosty fairy tale of The Snow Queen was fittingly published in December 1844. Spanning over seven stories in total, the main premise involves the character of Gerda, as she tries to save Kai, who is trapped in the Snow Queen’s palace of ice and snow.
The traditional battle of good and evil is given a modern twist in the recent Disney’s Frozen, inspired by the Hans Christian Anderson’s story. Instead, the film focuses on the relationship between two sisters, where Princess Anna, alongside a magical snowman, a reindeer and a newly acquired friend Kristoff, set off to find her sister, Princess Elsa.
Like the Snow Queen, Elsa has all the magic of winter, creating for herself an icy palace. And again, just like the original, the main protagonist is saved from the frost by an act of love, but instead of between two friends, it is the bond between sisters that breaks the spell.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
A popular story amongst under 5s, and having huge success since the release of a televised version of the book, it was inevitable that The Gruffalo was thought to be amongst the most popular World Book Day costumes. 17% of parents in the aforementioned survey believed that this imaginative monster would be the most worn costume on the day.
With rhyme and rhythm, and fantastical characters, The Gruffalo is classed as a modern classic. Published in 1999, it’s just one of many Julia Donaldson’s books that follow the same style, and is a great book to get kids involved in reading at a young age. The beat that the book creates, and the rhyming couplets, are also features that can help children with musicality and mathematical skills.
Read this book together and experience the wonders of the deep, dark wood, as you join a mouse who encounters some not-so friendly creatures along the way. But will he or will he not meet the frightening monster he describes? You’re not silly enough to know that ‘there’s no such thing as the Gruffalo’.
