Book Week asks a lot of a teacher's costume. It has to read from the back of an assembly hall, then survive six hours of lessons, a lunch duty and at least one child tugging at it. The ideas below are built mostly from clothes you already own or can thrift, plus felt, card and a little craft glue. Every look covers clothes, hair, makeup, props and shoes, and I've flagged where a piece tends to fail during a real school day. My rule for all of them is simple: if you can't sit on a small classroom chair in it, change it before the day.
A Teaching Day Asks More Than a Parade Does
Most Book Week costumes are designed for an hour of photos. A teacher wears theirs from the staff room at eight to the last parent at the gate, and that changes what I look for. Before choosing a character, I'd walk through your actual timetable and check the costume against each part of it.
- Floor time. If you read on the carpet, try sitting cross-legged in the skirt, tail or cape you plan to wear. Stiff tulle and cardboard panels are the usual failures.
- Small chairs. Sit on a child-height chair. Anything that sticks out at the back, such as a tail, wings or a board, needs to fold, unpin or come off.
- Duty outside. Playground and bus duty mean wind and sometimes rain. A hat needs elastic or pins, and a paper prop needs a backup.
- Your lanyard and keys. Decide where they go. A costume with no pocket means a bag you'll put down somewhere and lose.
- Hugs. Young children hug and grab. Face paint should be set with powder, and glitter left off entirely.
If one piece fails two of these tests, I keep it for the parade only and take it off afterwards. Most of the costumes below are planned so the core outfit can stay on all day while the hat, gloves or big prop come and go.
1. Miss Frizzle Costume With Science Print Dress
Miss Frizzle is all about the dress, so put your effort there. A plain knee-length blue or black dress takes felt planets, stars, dinosaurs or weather symbols well, and I match the motif to the subject I teach. Felt shapes peel off slippery polyester within hours if you only glue them, so I add a few hand stitches at the points or pin them from the inside. Colorful tights with ankle boots or bright sneakers keep it practical. A loose red updo or a curly red wig, peach blush and bright lipstick finish her face. Carry a toy school bus or a handmade solar-system model, and keep a cropped cardigan nearby for an air-conditioned room; it sits above the waist so the print still shows.
2. Mary Poppins Costume With Blue Skirt
Mary Poppins depends on a clean silhouette more than on fabric. A white high-neck blouse, a long navy or royal-blue skirt, a fitted red jacket and black low-heeled boots give students the shape they know. The small black hat with daisies and red berries is the piece that names her, and I pin it to a low bun with two bobby pins crossed in an X so it doesn't slide when I bend over a desk. Rosy cheeks and red lipstick are enough makeup. Keep the umbrella closed and parked by the door. A carpet bag holds your real teaching supplies, and white gloves can live in it once lessons start, because nobody marks books in gloves.
3. Matilda Costume With Blue Dress
Matilda is the easiest costume here to wear from first bell to last. A short-sleeved blue dress, a white cardigan if the room runs cold, white ankle socks and black Mary Janes or loafers are probably already in someone's wardrobe. Wear your hair down with a red ribbon headband; a headband stays put far better than a loose bow tied into hair. Keep the makeup minimal so you look bookish rather than costumed. A small stack of children's novels tied with ribbon does most of the identifying, and a lightweight chalkboard with a harmless sum adds a wink for older students. If you have a heavy teaching day, this is my first pick.
4. Miss Trunchbull Costume With Gray Uniform
Trunchbull is played for laughs, so the shape matters more than accuracy. A structured gray or olive tunic over cropped trousers with a wide brown belt gives her that athletic bulk, and tall socks with sturdy black lace-up boots carry it down to the floor. Pull your hair into a severe high bun or use a smooth brown wig styled the same way. I build the stern face with strong brows and a little contour, nothing darker, because very young children can find an angry painted face upsetting. A whistle, a clipboard and an oversized faux trophy are safe props. Leave the hammer at home; anything long and swingable becomes a problem in a crowded corridor.
5. Cat In The Hat Costume With Striped Hat
The hat does nearly all the work on this one, so build it to last. A tall red-and-white striped hat in fabric or lightweight card should be tested before the day: if it tips when you nod, glue a strip of foam inside the band or anchor it to a headband. Under it, black trousers and a long-sleeved black top or jumpsuit take a large white felt chest panel and a red bow tie. Wear the white gloves for the parade only. A black cat-ear headband, a neat nose and whiskers in skin-safe face paint, and black sneakers or loafers cover the rest. Carry a picture book or two blue-haired doll props for his mischievous companions.
6. Where’s Waldo Costume With Striped Shirt
Waldo is the costume I recommend to the teacher who remembers Book Week the night before. A red-and-white striped long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans or navy trousers and brown boots or white sneakers you can stand in all day make the whole base. The knit bobble beanie and round black glasses finish the face, and nonprescription frames are easy to find; keep hair natural under the hat. I'd swap the walking cane for a rolled paper map once lessons begin, since a cane gets tripped over. A brown crossbody satchel holds pens. Then let students hunt for you during the parade, which younger classes love.
7. Willy Wonka Costume With Purple Coat
Wonka looks complicated but is mostly thrifting. Look for a purple velvet-look coat first; the bright waistcoat, white shirt, contrasting trousers and big bow tie can be built around whatever shade it turns out to be. Velvet over a waistcoat gets hot fast in an assembly, so I choose a cotton shirt and leave the coat unbuttoned. A brown or black top hat with a few curls or a short brown wig beneath it, defined brows and rosy cheeks are enough on the face. Comfortable black boots or loafers go below. The golden ticket is the prop children ask about, so make it from shiny card, and keep the cane for photos.
8. Alice In Wonderland Costume With Blue Dress
Alice reads from the colors alone: blue dress, white pinafore, black hair ribbon. I'd pick a soft cotton dress over a stiff costume version, which crushes the moment you sit on the carpet for story time. White tights or ankle socks and black Mary Janes with cushioned soles carry you through the day. Use your own blonde hair with the ribbon, or a shoulder-length wig if you want it. Keep makeup light. A teacup bag, a white rabbit cutout or a miniature storybook is the prop. If you need pockets, a pinafore with a hidden pocket sewn in at the hip is easy to make and keeps a whiteboard pen within reach. Younger classes respond to her best.
9. Mad Hatter Costume With Colorful Tailcoat
The Hatter is a thrift-bin costume: patterned trousers, a loud waistcoat, a ruffled shirt and a long tailcoat in green, burgundy or purple. Mismatched is the point, so I stop worrying about colors clashing and only check that each piece fits well enough to move in. Striped socks and lace-up boots go underneath. An orange wig or temporary orange color gives the hair; cheap wigs shed and tangle, so brush it out with a wide-tooth comb the night before. Top it with an oversized hat trimmed with ribbons and a handmade card. Colorful eye shadow keeps the face friendly. Carry an empty teacup, and stitch down loose ribbons, because they catch on chair backs all day.
10. Queen Of Hearts Costume With Red Skirt
You don't need a ball gown for the Queen of Hearts. A red midi skirt with a black blouse or fitted jacket carries the palette, and the ruffled white collar is what makes her royal. I make that collar from folded paper or stiff felt rather than soft fabric, because it holds its stand-up shape without starch. Add heart shapes across the bodice, black tights and ankle boots or low block heels. A neat dark updo or a black wig with a small gold crown, red lipstick and one painted heart on the cheek finish the face. A heart-shaped card fan or scepter is enough of a prop. She still lets you walk between classrooms and kneel beside a desk.
11. Paddington Bear Costume With Blue Coat
Paddington is my pick for a cold-morning parade, because the costume is a coat. A blue duffle coat over neutral trousers and a red or cream sweater, brown boots or loafers and a floppy red hat are the core. Brown face paint for a small nose and a few whisker dots is plenty; a bear-ear headband can sit under the hat if students need more help. A cardboard suitcase looks right but gets crushed by lunch, so I'd carry a vintage-style satchel that also holds your essentials. A handwritten-style luggage tag on the coat button is the detail adults smile at. A toy marmalade sandwich is a fun extra for photos.
12. The BFG Costume With Oversized Waistcoat
The BFG is about scale, so buy big. A loose white shirt under an oversized brown or olive waistcoat, cropped trousers with patched knees, striped socks and brown boots with cushioned insoles make the giant silhouette. Slick your hair back or wear a bald cap. The ears are his signature; I attach them to an elastic headband, since skin adhesive on a warm day can start lifting before lunch. Warm neutral makeup shades the face without looking scary. A dream jar filled with iridescent paper and battery fairy lights gets more attention than any other prop on the list. Keep the trumpet small and rolled from paper for lessons.
13. The Gruffalo Costume With Brown Overalls
A Gruffalo should be friendly, not frightening, because your audience is probably five. Brown overalls or a brown jumpsuit over a long-sleeved top take purple felt circles down the back for the prickles and a tan belly panel on the front. The head is a furry hood or a brown headband with rounded ears, felt horns and orange craft-foam eyes above the forehead. Craft foam stuck on with hot glue can pop off as the hood flexes, so I stitch the eyes through a felt backing. Face paint gives the nose and brows. Use claw shoe covers over secure sneakers, never costume feet with smooth soles, and keep the tail short so nobody trips on it.
14. Very Hungry Caterpillar Costume With Green Layers
This one is pure felt work. Green trousers or leggings and a long green tunic take overlapping felt circles in several shades across front and back; varying the greens is what makes it read as body segments rather than polka dots. Red sneakers or green slip-ons with grippy soles go on the feet. The head is a red beanie or light hood with purple antennae and big felt eyes, and pipe cleaners make antennae that bend back when someone bumps into them. Tuck hair under the hat and keep makeup fresh. Felt fruit or a cardboard leaf with holes punched through it is the prop. Soft materials mean you can sit and read aloud without anything crushing.
15. Rainbow Fish Costume With Shimmering Skirt
The trick with Rainbow Fish is restraint. Cover a knee-length skirt in overlapping felt or fabric scales in teal, purple, pink and light blue, then add only a handful of shiny ones, the way the fish has a few special scales. Pair it with a blue or turquoise top, blue tights and silver sneakers or flats. A blue, lavender or aqua wig, or a few clip-in colored extensions, works for hair. Use iridescent shadow and small scale shapes at the temples. Sequin fabric sheds and scratches, so I cut the shiny scales from foil card or mirror vinyl instead. Light fabric fins at the arms and a short tail finish her, and the picture book itself is the best prop.
16. The Day The Crayons Quit Costume
A crayon is the cheapest costume here and one of the best for a whole staff. Pick one color and wear it head to toe: T-shirt, trousers, socks and sneakers. Black felt bands around the shirt and trouser legs make the wrapper; sew or pin them, since glue lets go of jersey once it stretches. A cone hat from colored poster board on soft elastic is the crayon tip. Tuck your hair under it and add matching eye shadow or a streak of paint on one cheek. Carry a big cardboard letter with the crayon's complaint written in your own words. When every teacher takes a different color, the whole box walks out together.
17. The Paper Bag Princess Costume
Elizabeth's costume is meant to look rumpled, which takes the pressure off. A plain tan shift dress or oversized brown T-shirt is the base, and real paper bags are a mistake for a full day because they tear and rustle every time you sit. I use brown fabric panels, or kraft paper ironed onto fusible interfacing so it creases without ripping. Tan leggings and flat brown boots go underneath. A loose, messy updo with a little washable gray brushed through, and a smudge of neutral makeup for soot, finish her without suggesting injuries. Add a cardboard gold crown. Carry a plush dragon or a castle sign, which hints at how her story ends.
18. Max Where The Wild Things Are Costume
Max's wolf suit is cream or white, which means it shows every mark by lunch. Start with a cream hooded jumpsuit, a matching sweat set, or a long-sleeved top and trousers. Felt buttons down the front and a short fabric tail at the back are the details; pin the tail through a doubled fabric patch so it doesn't tear the jersey. Gray felt ears on the hood should be light enough not to flop. Cream sneakers or soft boots, natural makeup with rosy cheeks and a gold paper crown worn over the hood finish him. A cardboard sailboat is the prop. Because the suit is basically a sweat set, it stays warm for outdoor parades.
19. Pippi Longstocking Costume With Braids
Pippi is the one costume where mismatched thrift finds belong together. A patchwork pinafore or oversized tunic over a striped long-sleeved shirt, odd knee socks, cropped trousers and lace-up boots in two colors get you most of the way. The braids are the hard part. Divide red hair or a red wig into two plaits and run flexible craft wire through each so they stand out from your head; wrap the wire ends in tape so they can't scratch. Brown eyeliner freckles and rosy cheeks are enough. A toy horse or a satchel of cardboard gold coins is the prop. Stitch the patches down properly, because glued ones curl at the edges after a day of movement.
20. Olivia The Pig Costume With Red Dress
Olivia suits the teacher who wants a crisp, low-effort costume. A red shift dress over a white collared blouse with black-and-white striped tights is the whole outfit, plus red flats or comfortable sneakers. Tie your hair in a bun or low ponytail and add a pink pig-ear headband. Pale pink face paint for a small snout with two nostril dots and a little cheek color is enough. Cream face paint transfers onto a white collar, so I set it with translucent powder and keep the snout well away from the jawline. White gloves are optional. Carry a red tote with the book inside, and tie a black ribbon at the neckline.
21. Fancy Nancy Costume With Tulle Skirt
Fancy Nancy is the only costume here where too much is correct. A bright printed top with a layered pink or purple tulle skirt and patterned leggings is the base, plus sparkly flats or decorated sneakers with grippy soles. Curls, your own or a wig, topped with a tiara, ribbon and clips, finish the hair. Skip loose glitter; it migrates onto every child you hug and every book you touch for a week, so use shimmer shadow instead. Layer costume necklaces, a fabric boa and plastic bracelets, and take off anything that clacks before you teach. A small purse or an illustrated vocabulary notebook is her prop, since she loves fancy words.
22. Amelia Bedelia Costume With Apron
Amelia Bedelia is practical clothing with one joke attached. A modest black midi dress, or a black blouse and skirt, goes under a crisp white apron with a rounded white collar, black tights and cushioned black lace-up shoes. A smooth bun and a small white cap or folded fabric headpiece give her the housekeeper look. Rosy cheeks and soft pink lipstick are enough. For props, I like a fabric duster or a tray of cardboard cookies, plus a recipe card in the apron pocket. Better still, write a few of the instructions she always takes literally on cards and read them out. Tie the apron short so it can't catch under a chair leg.
23. Clifford The Big Red Dog Costume
Clifford is a head-to-toe red costume, so shop for one red that matches. A tomato-red sweatshirt with cherry-red leggings looks accidental, and I hold pieces together in daylight before buying. A long red tunic, sweatshirt or jumpsuit over red trousers, with red sneakers and socks, carries the color down. Floppy ears on a red hood or headband and a light fabric tail give him his shape; keep your hair tucked behind the ears. Skin-safe red and black paint makes the nose, whisker dots and brows. A blue collar with an oversized cardboard tag is the detail children point at. Carry a plush dog you can put down easily.
24. Pete The Cat Costume With Blue Outfit
Pete the Cat suits the teacher who is on their feet all day. Blue trousers with a blue long-sleeved shirt, hoodie or jumpsuit is the base, and red sneakers nod to his famous shoes while giving you real support. A blue cat-ear headband and a flexible tail that stops above the knee keep it simple. Hair can stay natural or go under a blue beanie. Paint a blue nose, black whiskers and big eye details near the temples, and powder over them so they last through lunch. A lightweight cardboard guitar or a button garland is the prop. If it gets in the way, prop it by your desk; the blue and red already tell the story.
25. Thing One And Thing Two Teacher Duo Costume
Thing One and Thing Two only work as a pair, so plan them together. Both wear a red long-sleeved top with red trousers, leggings or a jumpsuit, and white sneakers. The white felt circles on the chest carry the labels; cut the lettering from black felt and stitch or pin it, because iron-on letters often lift from stretchy polyester. Blue wigs, beanies covered in fluffy yarn or temporary blue color give the wild hair. Pink cheeks and a little blue near the eyes keep makeup playful. Carry matching storybooks or oversized bookmarks. Walk into the parade side by side and copy each other's poses; children get the joke straight away.
26. Mr. Men And Little Miss Staff Group Costume
Mr. Men and Little Miss is the most forgiving theme for a big team, because nobody has to match anyone else's clothes. Each teacher picks one character and wears a top, trousers, socks and shoes in that character's main color. The body is a rounded shape cut from foam board or sturdy cardboard, painted or covered in colored paper, with the face drawn on and wide shoulder straps holding it. I'd cut a hand hole at each side, because a board in front of your arms makes handing out sheets or opening doors awkward. Hats, bows or glasses come from each character. Keep every board above the knees so people can walk and sit.
27. The Wizard Of Oz Teacher Group Costume
Oz gives a group of four a costume each, and the group only reads when everyone stands together. Dorothy gets the blue gingham dress, braids, red flats and a soft toy dog. The Tin Man wears silver-gray clothes with a funnel hat and metallic makeup; set that makeup with powder, because metallic cream paint smears onto everything at lunch. The Scarecrow takes brown patchwork separates with straw-colored yarn at the cuffs, and the Lion a golden-brown outfit with an ear headband and tail. Agree on comfortable boots or sneakers in shades that suit each character. A basket, a paper heart, a diploma scroll and an oversized clock are the props.
28. Little Red Riding Hood Costume With Cape
The cape is the whole costume, so I'd spend time on it rather than on anything else. A white blouse, a black or brown midi skirt and a vest or lace-up waist panel are the base. The knee-length red hooded cape should be a light cotton or poly-cotton; heavy velvet looks rich but drags on your shoulders by mid-morning, and a floor-length one gets trodden on. Ankle socks or tights and brown boots go below. Loose braids or soft waves suit the hood. Rosy cheeks and berry lipstick are enough. Carry a wicker-look basket with a checked cloth and felt bread. A plush gray dog plays the wolf without frightening anyone.
29. Goldilocks Costume With Yellow Dress
Goldilocks is one of the gentlest costumes to wear all day. A yellow or pale-blue knee-length dress with a white apron, white tights or ankle socks and brown Mary Janes make the outfit. Blonde hair or a wig in loose curls with a blue ribbon finishes her; if you curl your own hair, a little dry shampoo at the roots helps the curls last into the afternoon. Keep makeup gentle. A wooden-look bowl and spoon, real or painted cardboard, is the prop. Leave the three plush bears in a basket in your classroom rather than carrying them, and bring them out for a read-aloud of the traditional tale or a fractured version of it.
30. Peter Rabbit Costume With Blue Jacket
Peter Rabbit's blue jacket is the identifying piece; without it he's any rabbit. A short blue blazer or buttoned cardigan over a brown or gray top and trousers, plus brown loafers or sneakers that handle outdoor duty, make the outfit. Tall ears on a comfortable headband and a cotton tail at the back give you the rabbit, and padded headbands pinch less over a long day than thin plastic ones. Paint a pink nose, white whisker dots and soft brows. A gardening basket with felt vegetables or paper greenery is the prop. Skip real soil and produce, which end up on the classroom floor. A floral bow tie is the teacher touch.
31. The Velveteen Rabbit Costume
The Velveteen Rabbit should look loved rather than new, which is unusual for a costume. A gray, taupe or dusty-brown jumpsuit, or a velvet-look tunic and matching trousers, takes a cream belly panel and a small plush tail. Gray flats, loafers or sneakers with shoe covers go below. Long ears on a fabric-covered headband sit over a low bun. Soft gray shadow, a pink nose and fine whisker lines keep makeup quiet. A fabric heart or a worn toy rabbit is the prop. I fade the knees and elbows by dry-brushing a little lighter fabric paint over them, so the suit looks treasured rather than scruffy.
32. Man With The Yellow Hat Costume
The Man with the Yellow Hat is an easy costume with one demanding piece. A yellow collared shirt with matching trousers, or a yellow jacket and pants over a neutral top, a brown belt and brown boots or loafers make the outfit. The tall, wide-brimmed yellow hat with a dark band is what students recognize, and a plain craft hat painted or covered in yellow fabric usually beats searching for the exact shade. Keep hair natural and makeup minimal. A plush monkey tucked into a brown satchel keeps both hands free. Choose cotton for the yellow layers; a monochrome polyester outfit gets warm fast in a hall full of children.
33. Nancy Drew Costume With Plaid Skirt
Nancy Drew is the costume for a teacher who would rather look smart than silly. A cream blouse, a plaid midi skirt, a fitted cardigan and brown loafers or low Oxfords are separates you can wear again. Add ankle socks or opaque tights for the weather. Soft waves with a neat side part do more than a theatrical wig. Subtle liner and rosy lipstick keep the face in period. A magnifying glass, notebook and small vintage-style handbag are her kit, with a trench coat for outdoor parades. I'd write simple clues in the notebook and let students solve a short book mystery during the day, which turns the costume into a lesson.
34. Anne Of Green Gables Costume With Braids
Anne lives or dies by the braids, and the color has to be red. A long-sleeved floral or muted green midi dress with a white pinafore, dark tights and brown lace-up boots make the outfit. Two long red braids, your own or a wig, and a straw hat with a simple ribbon finish her. Wig braids hold better if you plait them while the wig sits on a head form or a rolled towel, so they hang straight instead of twisting. Light freckles across the cheeks and nose with soft blush are enough. Carry tied novels, a small carpet bag or a faux slate. Keep the skirt at mid-calf so stairs stay safe.
35. The Little Prince Costume With Green Coat
The Little Prince closes the list with a tailored look. A long green coat or structured jacket over white trousers and a white shirt is the base, with a yellow belt, gold felt epaulettes and a red bow tie or narrow scarf. Black or brown ankle boots should be broken in before the day. Style blonde hair upward with a strong-hold product, or choose a short golden wig. Keep makeup clean with lightly flushed cheeks. A plush fox, a paper star or a small model planet is the prop, and the fox is the one children ask about. The yellow scarf can trail behind you, but tuck it in for playground duty.
Felt, Glue and Pins on Clothes You Want Back
Most of these costumes sit on top of your own clothes, so the attachments matter as much as the design. I choose the fastening by the fabric underneath and by whether I want the shirt back afterwards.
What holds, and on what
- Hand stitching: a few stitches at the points of felt shapes hold on any fabric and snip out cleanly later. It's my default for chest panels and letters.
- Safety pins from the inside: fast and reversible, but use enough of them. One pin in the middle of a felt panel lets the edges flap.
- Fabric glue: fine on cotton and felt, weak on slippery polyester and stretchy jersey, where it cracks as the fabric moves. It also needs a full night to cure.
- Hot glue: good for card, foam and hat trims. On clothing it peels away, and it softens in a hot car or a warm hall.
- Iron-on adhesive: neat on cotton, but it can scorch synthetic sportswear, so test it on a hidden seam first.
Card props that make it to home time
Cereal-box card bends the first time a child leans on it. For crowns, signs and tickets I use corrugated card or foam board, and I tape the edges so they don't fray or scratch. A strip of clear packing tape over any painted surface stops the color rubbing off on hands and gives some protection in a light shower. Make a spare of anything small, like a golden ticket, because a child will always ask to hold it.
The Character Your Students Will Name First
A good teacher costume for Book Week comes down to things you can control: a clear color palette, clothing students already associate with the character, hair that reads, and one prop. Test it the week before by sitting on a classroom chair, kneeling and bending to a desk. Secure hats, capes, tails and card pieces, and wear shoes you'd happily do bus duty in. Solo characters suit a quick plan, while crayons, Mr. Men or Oz pull a whole team together. Most of all, pick a character from a book your students know or should meet next. Then the costume does more than walk in a parade; it starts a conversation about reading.
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