South Australia embraces the magic of Book Week 2024

From a dog dressed as Paddington to an 11-year-old dressed as a Zinger Box, this year’s Book Week costumes did not disappoint.

The busiest week of the school year is finishing up today with final Book Week parades and festivities taking place at schools around the nation.

Students and teachers are not the only ones getting in on the fun with parents and caregivers assisting with the creation of costumes, both handmade and store bought.

But dressing up isn’t just for humans with Alison Page transforming her pup Rowlf as Paddington Bear for his first Book Week.

With his uncanny resemblance to the famous bear, his costume was a no-brainer, owner Alison Page said.

“As you can see Rowlf looks like Paddington Bear so it was an easy decision,” she said.

The Findon local crafted his costume using felt and an empty tissue box to create Paddington’s iconic hat and suitcase.

“The felt hat was hand stitched and the suitcase recycled from a tissue box was painted at 5am before Rowlf had his Book Week day at Kip Day Care.”

Rowlf as Paddington Bear. Picture: Supplied

Sonny Axisa was Harry Potter for the day. Picture: Supplied

Many got into the spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Reading is Magic’, including year two student Sonny Axisa, whose Harry Potter costume was taken to the next level, thanks to his mum’s late night crafting.

Adreena Axisa was up at 2:30am crafting an impressive sorting hat replica complete with a golden snitch and fairy lights.

“I love getting on board and helping,” Ms Axisa said.

“Everything is made by myself, my hot glue gun and little sleep.”

Neveah even had her own pirate ship. Picture: Supplied

Texas Flynn’s wheelchair was transformed into a fire truck. Picture: Supplied

Countless hours were put in to make 8-year-old Neveah Craill’s pirate ship costume which features a moving steering wheel, throw our anchor, rotating cannons, swayable flag and speakers.

Port Pirie mum Jeanette Flynn also put her crafting skills to the test to turn her son Texas’, 11 wheelchair into a fire truck complete with flashing lights and a water hose.

“Tex loves all emergency services vehicles, this year I decided to make him a fire truck with flashing lights to fit to his chair,” she said.

“The biggest challenge was making the box design fit to his chair.”

Finley McCreanor rocked his own Mr Twit beard complete with sardines and cereal. Picture: Supplied

Much like the lion from Dear Zoo, Rosie Mann is also fierce. Picture: Supplied.

While it was impossible for 5-year-old Finley to grow a beard in time for book week, he was able to craft his own to become Mr Twit “complete with cereal and sardines entangled and of course a big pot of ‘hugtight sticky glue.”

Rosie Mann entered her kindergarten with a roar dressed in her lion costume inspired by Rod Campbell’s Dear Zoo.

“This character suited our fierce firecracker and she played the part well,” mum Lucinda said.

Completing the outfit was a true “family effort” with her little sister helping paint her face.

Did somebody say KFC? Kallan Zabaldano took his love for KFC to the next level. Picture: Supplied

It was Floyd Giorgio ‘s first time celebrating Book Week. Picture: Supplied

Inspired by his love for KFC, Kallan Zabaldano, 11, dressed up as none other than Colonel Sanders with a Zinger box.

Floyd Giorgio, 6, was excited to celebrate his first Book Week since moving to Australia from Uganda last year, dressing as Max from Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

Besties Evan Oxley & Hunter Sargeant. Picture: Supplied

Tanys Abel dressed as his favourite book character, Wizz. Picture: Supplied

Besties Hunter Sargeant and Evan Oxley, both 8, made matching Jack & The Beanstalk costumes, making sure not forget the golden eggs or giant’s castle!

When the time came for Tanys Abel, 8, to pick his costume, he opted for his favourite character Wizz, from Andy Lee’s book Do Not Open This Book Or Else.