World Book Day costumes – here are our recommendations and suggestions for cracking book character outfits for your child. We’ve tried to find fancy dress kits which closely match children’s books that are often read in the classroom (rather than film adaptations) for World Book Day events in primary schools. There are characters from popular children’s books by authors including Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter, J.K. Rowling, J.M. Barrie and Lewis Carroll.
Our recommended World Book Day costumes
Peter Rabbit Costume
Based on Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. Costume by Smiffys.
Violet Beauregarde Costume
Based on the character from Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Gangsta Granny Costume
Based on Gangsta Granny by David Walliams. Costume by Smiffys.
Miss Trunchbull Costume
Based on the character from Matilda by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Dalmatian Costume
Dalmation costume for children. The One Hundred and One Dalmations by Dodie Smith features Dalmations. Costume by Smiffys.
The BFG Costume
Based on the character from The BFG by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Newt Scamander costume
Based on the character from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by JK Rowling. Costume by Rubies.
Queen of Hearts Fairytale Fancy Dress Costume
Based on the character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Costume by Smiffys.
White Rabbit Costume for World Book Day
Also based on a character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Costume by Smiffys.
Charlie Bucket Fancy Dress Costume
Based on the character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Evacuee Costume
Ideal for any evacuee book character. Books with evacuee characters include Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden, Friend or Foe by Michael Morpurgo and Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. Costume by Smiffys.
Dennis the Menace Fancy Dress
Based on the comic strip character featured in The Beano. Costume by Rubie’s.
Victorian Artful Dodger style Fancy Dress Costume
Suitable for the character from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Costume by Smiffys.
Mary Poppins costume
Based on the character from Mary Poppins by PL Travers. Costume by Rubie’s.
Alice World Book Day Fancy Dress Costume
Based on the character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. Costume by Smiffys.
Willy Wonka Costume
Based on the character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Fantastic Mr Fox Costume
Based on the character from Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Matilda Costume
Based on the character from Matilda by Roald Dahl. Costume by Smiffys.
Horrid Henry Fancy Dress
Based on the character from Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon. Costume by Rubie’s.
Harry Potter Fancy Dress Costume
Based on the character from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Costume by Rubie’s.
Tinkerbell Fairy Dress Costume
Based on the character from Peter Pan by JM Barrie. Costume by Rubie’s.
Robin Hood Fancy Dress
Based on the character from The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green. Costume by Smiffys.
Peter Pan Fancy Dress Costume
Based on the character from Peter Pan by JM Barrie.
Superman Kids Fancy Dress
Based on the superhero character Superman featured in DC comics.
Mad Hatter Costume
Based on the character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. A striking world book day costume.
Where’s Wally Costume
Based on the character from the Where’s Wally series by Martin Handford. Costume by Smiffys.
Cheshire Cat World Book Day Costume
Based on the character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
Red Riding Hood Fancy Dress World Book Day Costume
Based on the character from children’s folktales. Modern retellings include The Complete Fairy Tales by Charles Perrault. Costume by Wicked Costumes.
Billionaire Boy Costume
Based on the character from Billionaire Boy by David Walliams. Costume by Smiffys.
Pinocchio Costume
Based on the character from Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. Costume by Fun Shack.
Grandma Wolf Costume
Based on the character from Red Riding Hood. Modern retellings include The Complete Fairy Tales by Charles Perrault. Costume by Fun Shack.
Recommended children’s World Book Day costume manufacturers
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Click for more children’s reading book recommendations – Picture books to read before you are 5 years old | Reception books | Year 1 books | Year 2 books | Year 3 books | Year 4 books | Year 5 books | Year 6 books | Topic books for school libraries, classrooms and home learning | KS3 books for 11-14-year-olds.
