So, you’re a teacher, eh? And you thought you could get away with not wearing a costume for World Book Day? Well, let us here at Escapade be the first (or the last) to tell you that, “No, you have to get yourself an adult World Book Day costume. Your pupils will never truly respect you, otherwise.”
Well, if you’re stuck for ideas as to character and which novel to choose from, here are a few ...
Adult Cat in the Hat Costume
There aren’t many children’s authors better than Dr. Seuss, who has created some of the greatest and most memorable characters ever put on the page in contemporary literature. The Cat in the Hat is perhaps his most recognised work, and with good reason - not only is it one of the catchiest titles ever, it’s fantastically well-written and has rhymes that’ll never leave your mind. Plus, alongside How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Cat in the Hat gives us some of the first views into Dr. Seuss’s crazy world. Oh, and there’s Thing One and Thing Two, too
Adult Hat, Bowtie, Ladies Costume
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Whenever you think of pirates, do you think of treasure maps marked with an “X”, tropical islands, rum, the Black Spot and one-legged seamen bearing parrots on their shoulders? If so, then you have Robert Louis Stevenson to thank, as much of this imagery comes from his work, Treasure Island (as well as the Spanish buccaneers of the 17th and 18th Centuries). A great costume to choose for World Book Day, and one that can easily be used over again for many other events.
Pirate Maiden Costume, Cutthroat costume
Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Perhaps one of the greatest - if not the greatest - children’s books ever created. Alice in Wonderland not only has brilliant characters like the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Red Queen and, of course, Alice herself, but a crazy topsy-turvy logic all of its own. Plus, there’s all the hidden depth and meaning, and metaphors worthy of Jonathan Swift himself.
Alice Costume, Mad Hatter Costume
Fairy Tales - Grimm or Otherwise
This is such a wide body of literature that you can pick almost anything. Think big bad wolves (in or out of granny’s nighties), fairies and nymphs, Red Riding Hood, gingerbread men, Cinderella, witches, Snow White, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, unicorns, mermaids and a whole of a lot more. Heck, if you have the time and the staff, maybe an ensemble cast of book character costumes from various fairy tales for a play or out-of-season panto of Shrek-like proportions!
The Legend - King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
An oft-forgotten character to choose for World Book Day, but still in everyone’s mind. In creating King Arthur and the pseudo historical History of the Kings of Britain, Geoffrey of Monmouth has created a fictitious king that is more well-known worldwide than pretty much every real-life royal who’s ever lived! (Which is why Arthur is the only true King of England!) Plus, this legend had influenced probably every fantasy novel ever created to some degree.
We hope the above have given you some costume ideas to choose from. Why not come to our store in Camden to try them out? Alternatively, if that’s not possible or time is of the essence, order online today!