It's that time of year again… Book Week is just around the corner!
This year's CBCA Book Week theme, Symphony of Stories, celebrates the magic that happens when stories, characters and imaginations come together. And if your household is anything like ours, it also means one important question...
What comes first - the costume or the book?
Do you flick through your bookshelf looking for costume inspiration? Or do you raid the dress-up box and then search for a book to match?
However you do it, Book Week is about so much more than the costume. It's a celebration of reading, imagination and Australian children's literature. Since 1945, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has encouraged children to discover new stories, celebrate Australian authors and illustrators, and develop a lifelong love of books.
Costumes Don't Have to Cost a Fortune
Some of the best Book Week costumes begin with a little imagination and things you already have at home.
A cardboard box becomes a rocket. Add a little paint, some foil and plenty of imagination to recreate How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers.
Raid the wardrobe and grab a teddy bear. A cosy outfit, a favourite bear and you're ready for We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
Dress in green and add a little face paint. Suddenly your child is searching for Where Is the Green Sheep?
Children often love helping to make their costume, and that's part of the fun. Crafting together builds excitement before the big day and encourages creativity long before the parade begins.
Of course, if glue guns and cardboard aren't your thing (or life has simply been a little hectic!), you can always go all out with a Book Week costume from Enchanted Years. We've got plenty of options to help your little reader become their favourite storybook character.
Why Dressing Up Matters
Book Week isn't about who has the fanciest costume. Dressing up allows children to step into the shoes of their favourite characters, retell stories, spark imaginative play and share books they love with their friends. It's a wonderful way to build confidence, creativity, language skills and a genuine excitement for reading.
For the Last-Minute Families...
And finally... a little reassurance.
If your child spends weeks insisting, "I'm definitely not dressing up," only to announce five minutes before the school bell that they absolutely need a costume...
We've got you.
Enchanted Years opens from 9:00 am.
Happy Book Week, and here's to celebrating another wonderful Symphony of Stories!