Book-week is coming to a conclusion here in Australia. If I was less-lazy I’d google to see when, how and why it came about. To the best of my knowledge it wasn’t around when I was a kid.
Nowadays however, my social media feeds are full of despairing parents trying to ensure their kids avoid years of psychosocial trauma lest their costumes not measure up.
And then of course there are the proud children. Dressed as anything and everything from the old fave Wally of Where’s Wally fame, to princesses and superheroes. I went to my godson’s school book-week parade this week and chuckled at the costumes… some surely more mum or dad’s ideas than the kids.
Of course many had minimal deference to traditional books. A kid dressed as Maverick from Top Gun was a personal fave of mine. Although – in keeping with the theme – I did see a child dressed as Hannibal Lecter (tied to a trolley) on social media. I believe though it was in a ‘why this kid wasn’t allowed to participate’ type meme.
This has me pondering two very important questions. (Neither of which of course relates to the origin and purpose of book-week. Or… you know… the meaning of life ‘n’ stuff.)
1. IF book week had existed in the 70s and 80s (of my childhood) perhaps the 90s for the Gen Yers and the 50s and 60s for the Baby Boomers – how would we have dressed?
AND
2. What on earth would I wear now to a book-week themed party (if I wasn’t taking the piss and going as a child’s character of course).
Naturally while sleepless last night I did have the chance to think further.
Book-week costumes from yester-year
I was a mad Enid Blyton fan as a kid. Indeed, I hadn’t heard of Dr Seuss or Roald Dahl until almost adulthood (though thankfully am mostly-unscathed by that gap in my literary repertoire).
So, characters from Noddy would probably have featured in my youngest years, moving onto perhaps Moonface or Saucepan Man (from the Faraway Tree). I ADORED the Famous Five but suspect it would have been pretty hard to dress as one (even Timmy the dog) and be vaguely identifiable. Naughty Amelia Jane may have been a tad easier.
I was surprised to see a Raggedy Ann at my godson’s book-week parade, which made me reminisce a little and of course (in my day) a character from the Wizard of Oz, might have been a popular choice. Similarly of course there WERE a few (Disney) princesses around back then so Cinderella or Snow White may have gotten a guernsey.
I did go through a Pippi Longstocking phase, so that would have been a fun costume. And easier than Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew.
Of course, I suspect I would have wanted to pluck on the same long bow drawn nowadays, resulting in Marvel characters and sports stars. In my day however it would have been The Bionic Woman, Six Million Dollar Man, one of Charlie’s Angels or perhaps someone from Grease or Star Wars (the latter having stood the test of time).
Book-week for grown-ups
I’m kinda devastated now I think about it, that I’ve not been to a book-themed costume party. Of course I’ve rarely gone to any dress-up parties as an adult, but still…
Bizarrely now I consider it I struggle to think of many other than the obvious made famous by movie and TV adaptations (like Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Handmaid’s Tale, Silence of the Lambs and the like). Someone from Jane Austen’s stable of feisty women perhaps? The clown from IT?
As I sit here I scan my bookshelves looking at my more contemporary options I realise most characters I’ve come to know and love aren’t obviously identifiable. Or perhaps I’m missing the obvious.
So… just in case I do get invited to a book-themed party… any suggestions?
** Images from IMDb **
August 23, 2019
I think we did have Book week when I was in primary school (mid-late 80s) but I don’t remember dress ups. I do, however, remember the Easter Hat Parade, which I HATED.
August 23, 2019
I finished High School in 1984 so missed all of that entirely. We had fancy dress balls in primary school from memory. (I did go as Cinderella one year then the Queen of Hearts – in the same dress, with hearts sewn on – the next year!).
August 23, 2019
Anne of Green Gables or Pippi Longstocking as a kid. I should have been born a red head! As an adult, Jane Austen’s Elizabeth or Uma Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction? Or anyone where I can utilise my black tutu!
August 23, 2019
I have to admit I can’t really think of many black tutu wearing protagonists in adult fiction. Unless Black Swan was based on a book?!
You’ve reminded me though I loved the books about ‘Drina’ a ballerina when I was young as well. I only had a few but my niece had them all 2-3 decades later.
August 23, 2019
I so wanted my youngest to go as Sophie from the BFG. She has fallen in love with reading thanks to Roald Dahl. However both my girls are donning harry potter cloaks and wands this year. I adored Enid Blyton when I was younger also, I loved getting lost in the world of the Faraway Tree and it’s characters. I vaguely remember dress up days as a child, always home made. It’s big business nowadays in the department stores at this time of year.
August 24, 2019
I was in Spotlight today and they had heaps of costumes on sale and masks. I feel bad for the poor parents who feel they have to go to some trouble. Interestingly at my godson’s school there were a few kids just in their uniforms but they still went in the parade which I thought was nice. (They seemed okay about it, not unhappy about being included sans costume.)
I had to google Sophie from BFG…
There were a couple of girls dressed kinda funkily with big boots, mini-dresses, round sunglasses and their hair in multiple buns. My friend and I wondered who they were…
August 23, 2019
I remember book week from kinder in 1983, I went as red riding hood. I don’t remember prep or year 1, but made an excellent spider from a laundry basket, stockings filled with newspaper and a balloon for a head and went as Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web in year 2. That was my favourite.
I think you should organise an adult book week party. I love a good dress up party and the only thing better than a good book is a good book with a glass of wine.
August 24, 2019
It would be fun wouldn’t it?!
I went to a fancy dress thing as Little Red Riding Hood I think… def not book week though. I can’t actually remember it but can recall a photo, as my brother is standing behind me with a sword to my neck. (I’m not sure what he was!)