All the best costumes across Victoria for the 2023 Book Week

Parents have worked hard to produce some excellent Book Week costumes this year, with the week turning into an almost month-long celebration. See the best costumes.

Book Week has become a three-week celebration stretching from mid-August onwards, retailers have reported.

The annual Children’s Book Council event spans August 19 to 25, but costume suppliers say it is both starting earlier and running longer than in previous years.

Gowrie St Primary School in Shepparton celebrated their book week parade on Friday.

Dozens of students from grade prep to six got creative and used their imagination to put together colourful costumes.

Principal Eron Chapman told the Herald Sun book week is always a popular event for students.

“It draws a lot of parents so that’s a plus for us and the kids always get super excited,” Ms Chapman said.

“Our teachers are really good at whipping up a bit of excitement about book week.”

She added there are many book week activities in the classrooms, connecting to specific books and themes.

“We find our kids really engage well with those,” Ms Chapman said.

The school encouraged parents in the previous years to make costumes out of things that have at home in order to save money.

“We’ve got some parents that do a really good job at that,” Ms Chapman added.

“There were a few kids that really put effort in to make the costumes.”

She explained it had been a busy week for the school as they had two excursions to attend down in Melbourne.

“We’ll extend our book week into next week — so in terms of what is happening in the classroom activities wise — we’ll extend that,” Ms Chapman said.

St Kilian’s Catholic Primary School in Bendigo held its dress up day last Thursday, August 17.

Sebastian Clark, Oliver Buckfield and Beau Jardine, all dressed for Book Week at Strathfieldsaye Primary School. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

Bendigo’s Red Fox Party Supplies spokeswoman Ebony Harris said Wednesday Addams costumes had been very popular this year.

However, the old favourites from Dr Seuss books were still flying off the shelves and some older characters were re-emerging.

St Kilian's Primary School Bendigo Book Week costumes. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

“Thing One and Thing Two and the Cat in the Hat are still very popular,” Ms Harris said.

“Where’s Wally, Little Red Riding Hood and Darth Vader are also in demand.

“Awful Aunties costumes from the David Williams book is also in.”

St Kilian’s Primary School Bendigo children dressed for Book Week 2023. Picture: supplied

Haileybury College students also got into the Book Week spirit, with no shortage of amazing costumes from students.

Students at Presbyterian Ladies’ College also had a lot of fun dressing up as their favourite characters.

This year’s Book Week theme is Read, Grow and Inspire.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia has set this year’s Book Week dates from Aug 19 – 25 but said flexibility should be encouraged.

Nikaylah Atherton, Poppy Long and Lucy Vaughan as the legendary Pink Ladies for the 2023 Book Week at Strathfieldsaye Primary School. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

“However many schools, libraries and community organisations fit their celebration of children’s books in and around their busy calendars to make the week work best for them,” it said.

“The idea that our week long book party can extend throughout the weeks and months is music to our ears.”

Author and illustrator Matt Ottley designed the artwork for the 2023 Book Week and said it aimed to help children find their passion for reading.

Lucy Orme and Dulcie Clarke, who both took inspiration from the anxious giraffe in the Madagascar movies and books, at the Strathfieldsaye Primary School Book Week celebrations. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

Bendigo-based band The Blurbs has been doing a wide circuit of regional schools with its Book Week themed show.

The band’s frontwoman Min Miles said the show highlighted four books shortlisted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

The Blurbs band after performing a Book Week concert at Strathfieldsaye Primary School: Sam Miles-Forbes, Min Miles, Josh DeAraugo and Sean Forbes. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

This year’s selection focused on Frank’s Red Hat, Amazing Animal Journeys, Lionel and Me, and My Strange Shrinking Parents.

Miles is a music teacher who, with the help of a drama teacher friend, came up with the idea for the band in 2011.

“We knew that the schools were getting acts up from Melbourne all the time,” she said.

“We thought we could come up with our own shows and have a new one each year.”

The band frequently invites youngsters from the audience to join the performance.

At Strathfieldsaye Primary School on Wednesday that student was grade six student Daraugh McAuley, who was kitted out in an Oompa Loompa costume and face paint.

Daraugh McAuley, dressed as one of the Oompa Loompas, with The Blurbs band at Strathfieldsaye Primary School during Book Week 2023. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

Strathfieldsaye Primary School principal Cindi Bruechert said Book Week had changed only a little over the years.

“One of the things I really appreciate is the wellbeing focus and moral messages within the books that are shortlisted which has been very positive,” she said.

“There’s a strong focus on togetherness and supporting each other.

“It helps engage children in a positive way with reading.

“A positive love of books is invaluable.

“The parents are amazing - they really support it with the costumes.”

The Herald Sun is still searching for the cutest and best book week costumes of 2023. Submit your child’s picture below