World Book Day is an annual charity event held in the UK on the first Thursday in March. It was created by UNESCO on 23rd April 1995 as a worldwide celebration of reading. It is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. This year is the 24th year there’s been a World Book Day, and on Thursday 4th March, children of all ages will come together to share the joy of reading for pleasure.

As well as celebrating books, it also creates headaches throughout the land while parents battle with their offspring until both parties agree on an acceptable character for them to become for the day.

I, like many others, had wrongly assumed our school wouldn’t be celebrating WBD this year but the dreaded letter pinged in to my inbox last week. Cue tutting and eye rolls whilst I tried to think of an outfit I could throw together.

I despise spending money on dress up costumes that will be worn for 6 hours before residing in the bottom of the washing basket until they’re too small to wear again. Because of this, Evie and Harry are subjected to my homemade outfits year on year. Unlucky kids, but at least they’re unique.

This year, because they’ll both be at home for WBD, I’m seriously considering either “The Polar Express”, “The Midnight Gang” or “The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy” – anything which constitutes a costume despite them staying in their pyjamas all day.

Other easily recreated characters include

• Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians

• Friendly Witch from Room On The Broom

• Greg from Diary Of A Wimpy Kid

• Henry from Horrid Henry

• Katniss from The Hunger Games

• Matilda from Matilda

• Megan from Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras?

• Oliver from Oliver Twist

• Thing 1 & 2 from The Cat In The Hat

• TinTin from The Adventures Of TinTin

Whether you’re a lover or a hater of World Book Day, I hope the dress up Gods are on your side and the second last day of homeschooling goes smoothly.

Let me know in the comments who your children are drawing inspiration from for WBD 2021.