Book Week Victoria: Seven ways to dodge the dress-up dramas

THE most feared event in the primary school calendar is upon us, but you don’t need to hide in the library. Our foolproof guide to Book Week costumes will save time, money — and your sanity.

BOOK Week is supposed to be a fun way to encourage kids to read. And it probably was, back in 1945 when it was introduced.

The two women responsible — Lena Ruppert and Mary Townes Nyland — brought the concept Down Under when stationed here with the US Information Library.

To be fair, it’s likely they could both sew and didn’t have to contend with that great modern tome — Facebook.

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Fast forward to 2018 and that simple celebration of the written word is about as popular as nits.

But the annual homage to your kid’s favourite story doesn’t have to be traumatic.

We’ve gathered the best tips on how to come up with a costume without breaking the bank or the internet.

EMBRACE THE THEME

Twins Imogen and Niamh, 4, at Craigieburn Library. Picture: Ian Currie

This year, it’s Find Your Treasure. Take it literally and whack on an eyepatch, paint on a moustache and fashion a sword and hat out of cardboard.

Or add some gumboots to a pair of jeans, a checked shirt and metal pan from the kitchen and send Little Johnny as an old-school gold miner.

You’ll probably even win extra points from their teacher for knowing the theme.

GO NORMCORE

The cast of Harry Potter is always a popular pick for Book Week characters. Picture: AP Photo / Warner Bros., Murray Close

Books are brimming with regular characters wearing everyday outfits.

Think the muggles in the Harry Potter series or Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web.

You can also repurpose wardrobe staples to create a costume.

A red-and-white striped silk top can easily become a Where’s Wally? outfit. Or team a hipster cardi with a bunch of balloons to transform into Carl Fredricksen from Up.

SELL BEFORE YOU SEW

Captain Underpants: Coming to the costume rescue since 1997. Picture: supplied

The most important thing about any costume is getting your kid to leave the house with it on. Make sure they’re on board with the idea before getting out the Janome.

If you have the gift of the gab have a crack at Captain Underpants.

It has to be one of the easiest costumes going around, and the series is a winner with most primary schooners.

You just need to convince your kid to wear their jocks (or Dad’s) on the outside for the day.

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Emulate the Australian Classical Youth Ballet and gather a crew to re-enact Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Picture: Sam Wundke

Not every kid likes to stand out.

Unfortunately, if they’re the only kid in the class wearing school uniform on dress-up day they draw attention by default.

Chat to other parents and see if you can organise a trio of little pigs — egg cartons are easily transformed into noses and pipe-cleaners can quickly twist into tails.

Or get more kids on board and create your own version of the seven dwarfs. All you need for that is a belt, coloured T-shirt and matching beanie for each child.

READ THE FINE PRINT

Think outside the box and go as a song writer like Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift.

This one is for the older kids who think dressing up is for losers.

According to the Children’s Book Council of Australia the event aims “nurture a literate, educated and creative society”.

Surely song lyrics fit the brief? And when it comes to catchy ditties you can’t go past Ed and Taylor.

They are both easy to emulate in the fashion department too.

Think cap and flanny for Ed and red lippie and something short and sparkly for Miss Swift.

(Technically the week is meant to celebrate Australian writers, so if you’re a stickler for the rules go for some homegrown talent.)

BORROW

Every year, thousands of primary school parents come up with a Book Week costume.

Surely you can find one with older offspring who’ll lend you what their kid wore last year?

LIE

Be like Pinocchio and stretch the truth.

Let your child wear whatever they like and then just invent a character for them.

In the literary world, they call that fiction.

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