37 stages (of grief) all parents go through in the run up to World Book Day
Wendy Golledge
Associate EditorIf you’re a new parent, 7 March 2024 probably doesn’t mean much to you. But if you have kids in nursery or primary school, it's a date likely to bring you out in a cold sweat as you worry about what costumes you can cobble together for your kids. Here's what it's really like to be a parent in the run-up to World Book Day
Yep, World Book Day is fast approaching. Again.
A chance for all those super-talented arty types to show off their incredible costume-making skills, while the rest of us weep into our coffee as we try to cobble together an outfit that doesn’t look like it belongs in the bin.
For all that we love the educational benefits of World Book Day (and the free children’s book, thanks very much), the reality of putting together a costume can leave parents feeling just a teeny bit stressed.
Especially if your child’s school sets an ‘original’ theme. Only characters from books by Scottish authors? Err … thanks for nothing.
Here are some of the thoughts that go through every parent's head as the big day approaches.
It’s all worth it in the end, though, when you get that cute Insta-worthy picture ... honest!
1. So, World Book Day is on 7 March this year. Excellent, that gives me LOADS of time to get an outfit together. I’ll just make myself a cup of tea and watch a bit of that new Netflix boxset …
2. (Two weeks later). I’m sure there was something I was meant to be doing for school. Can’t remember what it was, though.
3. (A week later) Oh no! World Book Day! When is it again?
4. Phew, 7 March.
There's still plenty of time to pull something spectacular out of the bag. No last-minute efforts with a cardboard box and a bag of cotton wool balls this year, oh no.
5. ‘Darling, you need to dress up as a character from your favourite book for school. Who would you like to be?’
6. Hmm … I'm not sure Spiderman is technically a book character, but hey, we’ll go with it. Especially as we have the costume already. Mummy-win!
7. *Reads letter from school.*
‘We would like to draw parents’ attention to the fact that superheroes and Disney princesses do NOT count as book characters.’ Gah, back to the drawing board.
8. ‘Umm, sweetie, your teacher says you’re not allowed to dress up as Spiderman. Have a think – what are your other favourite books?’
9. Elmer the Elephant. Of course.
10. Right, I can do this. We’ve got about a billion old t-shirts in assorted rainbow colours lurking in the drawers.
How hard can it be to whip up a patchwork elephant costume?
11. *Drags ancient sewing machine out of the loft.*
Oh, this costume is going to ROCK! My kid is going to be the talk of the playground – and this year, it'll be for all the right reasons ...
12. Right then. OK. *Stares at sewing machine*
So I haven’t used one of these things since I was doing my textiles GCSE, but it’s just like riding a bike, right?
13. It’s working, it’s working! I remember how to use a sewing machine. Go me!
14. If they’re giving out gold stars for the best costumes, mine is in the bag. I AM A DOMESTIC GODDESS.
15. Hang about. That doesn’t sound good. And where’s all that thread coming from?
16. *Kicks sewing machine.*
Stupid thing. I’m not beaten yet, though. I can sew patchwork by hand.
17. Two and a half hours to sew three little patches together? Might have to rethink this! Time for plan B. Now, what is plan B ...
18. Let’s have a look in the dressing-up box and see what we’ve got. There HAS to be something in there we can use.
19. Nope. Not unless we have any books about flesh-eating zombie vampires. That was a damned good Halloween costume, though …
20. I’ll try the wardrobe. Bingo! A red and white stripy top. Where’s Wally? it is, then.
21. But last year there were at least 15 kids dressed as Where's Wally.
Ugh, I literally cannot think of any other book characters.
22. I’ll just have a little G&T to help me think …
23. Next year, I’m going to suggest that the school gets the kids to make their outfits during school time. This is just more homework – for parents.
And where's my darling child while I slave away over his costume? Yep, on the iPad eating dry cereal. Because I haven't had time to cook him tea.
24. There’s only one thing for it: throw money at it. Amazon, here I come …
25. FORTY QUID for an Elmer the Elephant outfit? Not a chance!
26. Ooh, there’s a cheaper one. £20, job done.
27. Hang on, though: it’s coming from China, delivery estimated in eight weeks. ARGH!
28. Why is this so difficult? Can’t I just give the school a tenner and be done with it?
29. No, no, that’s not the spirit. This is all about instilling a love of reading in our little ones, and they’ll all be so proud of their costumes. Get a grip, woman.
30. Right, you’re overthinking this.
YOu need to go back to basics, go for something simple. It’s the taking part that counts, right?
31. I’ll just check what costumes everyone else is planning … *frantically starts Whatsapping*
32. Paddington Bear? The Lorax? The peach from James and the Giant Peach? Seriously, how am I meant to compete with that?
33. One day to go, and still not ready. Don’t even know what character to go for any more. It’s going to be a 3am cereal box and sticky tape job again.
34. Just one more G&T first to help get the creative juices flowing …
35. It's midnight.
I am so tired I could scratch my own eyeballs out. I am never doing this again.
*Weeps*.
36. Got it! I am a GENIUS! Jeans and T-shirt, seaside bucket, handful of plastic T Rexes – sorted.
37 *8am on WBD, posting on Facebook*
‘DS off to school as Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs for World Book Day.’ NAILED IT!
38. Awww, look at them all bouncing around the playground, comparing their costumes and showing each other their books. They’re all so cute and so proud of themselves! Isn’t World Book Day FAB.
What's that? I have to do it all again next year? Oh FFS ...
Looking for more WBD inspiration? Read more below and share ideas with other parents over on our forum:
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