Book character dress-up days are becoming increasingly popular in schools around the country as a way of promoting literacy and love of books. Children and teachers alike can have fun costuming themselves as their favorite storybook characters, whether it’s in honor if World Book Day, the school book fair, or a library promotion. Some schools even have book character dress-up days as an alternative to Halloween.
If you’re stuck for ideas, whether you’re a teacher, student or parent, here are some suggestions that aren’t too complicated. Most can be put together from items around the house, though you may have to beg, borrow or make a few of the components or buy some small props. The key here is simplicity, and any of these easy costumes should be a big hit.
Tips: If you’re dead set on Harry Potter, by all means, go ahead. Be prepared that you will likely be one of many in the same book character costume. Avoid the temptation to wear your movie character Halloween costumes. Kids love to argue that there are books featuring Batman or Disney characters, but it takes something away from the spirit of the notion. Look for a character that is best known for being in a book. The teacher will thank you for it.
Book Character Dress-Up Day Costumes for Girls
Nancy Drew – Suitable for young girls or adults, the key to Nancy Drew is in conservative clothes. A plaid skirt or an A-line mid-length skirt can be topped with a sweater in a neutral color like navy or beige. A Peter Pan collar underneath would be grand too. Knee socks (argyle, navy, white or tan) and plain Oxford-style shoes are ideal, but Keds or plain sneakers are a good substitute. The must-have is a headband to smooth back the hair. Optional: tuck a magnifying glass in your pocket, or wear one on a chain around your neck.
Pippi Longstocking –A look that’s easily identifiable with even just a few items. Mismatched socks are the key, the wackier and longer, the better. A silly dress or skirt and top or even overalls or rolled-up jeans are fine. Dot on freckles with an eyebrow pencil and wear your hair in braids. For extra silliness, braid pipe cleaners or wire into your hair, so you can stick your braids out in hilarious directions.
Amelia Bedelia –Amelia Bedelia’s signature is the hat and pinafore. If you can’t find a ruffly full pinafore or apron, a plain one will do: a white kitchen apron is an okay substitute. Wear it over a gloomy dress or shaded top and skirt. The ideal hat is the type that has a roll up brim (like Blossom used to wear on the old sitcom). Pin or tuck in fake or real daisies around the brim. Ta-Daa! Amelia Bedelia is ready for some chores to confuse.
Olivia the Pig –If you have a plastic pig nose or can rep one at the costume supply shop, the rest is a cinch. Olivia has different looks in different books, so you can choose one that suits you best. The most recognizable would be the red dress (or use a top and skirt), plus black-and-white striped tights. A ribbon tie at the neck or a bow in the hair make the gawk extra-Olivia.
Ramona the Brave –Beverly Cleary’s feisty heroine made her own paper bunny ears to wear around, so you can too. In this case, handmade bunny ears shouldn’t look too good, so it appears that Ramona made them. The outfit just needs to peek like a tomboyish girl. Overalls or jeans and a striped shirt work fine.
Laura Ingalls –The writer of the autobiographical Little House on the Prairie series comes to life easily if you have a prairie-style flower print or checked dress. Any longer cotton skirt works too: tiny flower prints, checks, and neutral colors are best to suggest the time period. Top with a simple blouse without any modern details. An apron or pinafore is a nice touch, and you can braid your hair a la Melissa Gilbert. If you have an old-fashioned bonnet, even better!
Book Character Dress-Up Day Ideas for Boys or Girls
Star-Bellied Sneetch –The battling Sneetches of Dr. Seuss’ current book are easy to recreate. All you really need is a grand blue star (construction paper works fine) on your belly. While a yellow outfit is most ideal, any solid color outfit will be a good substitute in a pinch. For extra effect, you can add the white ruff around the neck (prick from ragged white fabric or paper) and top it off with a beak-like nose. You can purchase up a bird beak at the costume store, or fashion one with paper and tie it with string around your head. For a quickly and easy last-minute costume, all you really need is the star.
Thing One And/Or Thing Two –A cute costume for two, or even just one. Red from top to toe (either pants and shirt or PJs or a union suit) and a white paper or fabric circle to pin or sew on, saying “Thing 1″ or “Thing 2″ gets the idea across. Even honest the red shirt (with label) works in a pinch. If you have a blue wig, you’re in luck. Otherwise skip it, or substitute a blue knit cap.
Piglet –A store-bought rubber pig nose and a stripey shirt are all you need for a Piglet costume. Piglet daringly wore no pants, but you can wear jeans anyway. Shorts, if allowed in your school, would look even better.
Bunnicula –A fun and easy costume for girls or boys, and all you need are vampire teeth and bunny ears. Look out, carrots!
Book Character Dress-Up Day Costumes for Boys
Ralph S. Mouse –The star of The Mouse and the Motorcycle is easy to evoke with only a bicycle helmet and a tiny greasepaint or eyebrow pencil for nose and whiskers. Lifeless, simple school clothes are fine. You can add a tail if you like!
Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn – Overalls and a plaid shirt are the basics to recreate Mark Twain’s timeless characters. Wear the overalls zigzag on only one side. Rolled up or ragged-bottom jeans are a reasonable substitute. If you have a straw hat or can buy one at the costume shop, all the better.
Captain Hook or Long John Silver –Pirates are a common Halloween costume, so a lot of people have the components around from past costumes. You can choose if you’d rather honor J.M. Barrie or Robert Louis Stevenson. A pirate hat, a unfounded hook (for Hook only) and shaded pants plus a ruffled or red striped shirt make for an obvious pirate. Pirate props are readily available at shops if you’re set on the idea.
Captain Underpants –Do you dare? No, don’t go to school in your tidy whiteys. It still takes a brave soul to even do a simulated version of the well-liked book character, but it’ll be remembered. For the sake of school, develop the underpants boxer shorts –the wackier the better. Wear over tights, one-piece PJs or a union suit. Make sure flies are sewn closed. Leggings and a close-fitted tee work ravishing, too. You can fashion a cape from a sheet if you don’t have one. Interrogate lots of laughs.
The Scarecrow –One of the favorite characters from The Wizard of Oz is a cinch to pull off if you have old jeans and a western or plaid shirt (or overalls). If the pants or jeans are old and no longer used, you can make the bottoms ragged. Wear an old hat and simple clownish scarecrow makeup to complete the look. Now, if you only had a brain!
Arthur –Arthur is easy-peasy, because you can get away with simple school clothes. A unimaginative sweatshirt or sweater and jeans, plus round glasses (a leftover Harry Potter prop works). You can fashion aardvark ears out of construction paper, or costume shop mouse ears can be weak to replicate the storybook sensation.
If you don’t see an idea you like, comb your bookshelves for ideas. Don’t feel like you have to go all out. Just suggesting the character is good, if it’s all you can do. A pretty dress and a headband can be Alice in Wonderland. A sweater, dress pants and slicked down hair can be one of the original Hardy Boys. See what’s in your closet, and try to make it work. Don’t stress! and if you do…calm down with a good storybook.
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