Admit it, you’re a little relieved.
Have you woken in up in a sweat recently, having had a feverish World Book Day costume-related nightmare? You wouldn’t be alone.
Tomorrow marks the day for which mums and dads all over the country are encouraged (or relentlessly pestered by little people) to make or buy elaborate costumes based on beloved book characters.
Lots of Irish and UK schools get in on the act and while it’s lovely to promote reading and see the kids all dressed up as Hermione Granger, Willy Wonka or, eh, Spiderman, the occasion can put serious pressure on parents.
Halloween parties and Christmas concerts already have people splashing out on costumes or spending hours making them, which is why tomorrow’s school closures due to snow have made lots of us here and across the pond very happy.
There’s always a silver lining – don’t have to worry about costumes for world book day Friday ????????
— Aisling Rosney (@RozMM) February 28, 2018
Im sure there are thousands of parents secretly delighted their kids schools likely to be closed tomorrow and they don’t have to get a costume together for World Book Day….. pic.twitter.com/JO9kCzNaFk
— Dave Scott (@DaveScott1977) February 28, 2018
Gets notification that schools will remain closed tomorrow. Immediately stops helping daughter with World Book Day costume.
— David★Jack (@DamJef) February 28, 2018
Ok. What’s the odds of school being shut tomorrow as I’ve not made Sandy’s costume yet for World Book day. And…. I can’t be arsed. Which is the truth. I hate costume making.
— LouiseHunt (@CaithnessCraft) February 28, 2018
A nation’s parents watch the skies, hoping for the Beast to shut the schools in time to sweep away all costume duties for World Book Day
— Robin Parker (@robinparker55) February 28, 2018
Yesssss schools are closed tomorrow too. This means I have dodged making the dreaded World Book Day costume! #WorldBookDay #Edinburgh
— M (@MairiBlack) February 28, 2018
Judging by Twitter, lots of schools are just rescheduling their celebration rather than cancelling it altogether so best not put away the sewing kit just yet. Sigh.
Meanwhile, some schools in the UK have even called on parents not to dress their kids up for the day this year.
It can be unfair to families who can’t afford costumes, according to a local councillor in Dundee, Scotland, who said his local school’s fancy dress effort would be “toned down” this year.
“This day will be used to inspire pupils to get reading and enjoy the benefits it brings for their education and wider life,” Cllr Gregor Murray told the Sun.
“I am also aware of the financial pressures that any fancy dress linked to the day can bring to some families.”
