It's the look, not the book!
It's World Book Day, but that aside, I've just had my first case of costume envy. AÌýfour-year-old Dr. Seuss Cat in a Hat. My daughter's P1 class have dressed up as their favourite book character. I also saw two white rabbits, a wizard, a pirate and I think I saw a ghost.Ìý
But back to Dr. Seuss. I can only worship at the altar of the parent/possibly granny who created that. Full make up, oversized hat, the bow tie, the works. Absolutely brilliant.Ìý
While my fairy daughter literally flew around the classroom dangerously waving her wand at the wizard and the pirate, I thought back to last night in our house. Me rifling through the book box in a slightly manic way, Ìý
ÌýRoom on a Broom I suggest? It's the Julia 'Gruffalo' Donaldson classic. I was even creating a cape from a bin bag when no the cry went up "I want to be a nurse". Yes we have an outfit for that but no book.Ìý
Just let her be a nurse says her dad. No, I cry, slightly too loudly, it has to be a character from a book. It'sÌýWORLD BOOK DAY.Ìý
The Princess and the Pea byÌýLauren Child (Charlie & Lola creator). You would love being a princess. No.Ìý
Lost and Found, Belfast writer/illustrator Oliver Jeffers' wonderful book, recently Bafta nominated film. All I need to find is a stripy jumper, a beanie hat and a penguin. No.
Gorilla by Anthony Browne, the current Children's Laureate. Slightly weird, but wonderful, book about a girl and a gorilla and a dad who is always too busy to take her to the zoo. I'm suggesting it, but not convinced I can rustle up the gorilla outfit before tomorrow. No is the answer anyway. I'm desperate now. Kipper by Mick Inkpen. Kipper is a dog. That's how far through I am.Ìý
Half an hour later, a lamb is suggested. By theÌýfive-year-old. The bin bag cape is as far as my Blue Peter sticky back plastic creativity is willing to stretch. It's now 8.30pm and I haven't had my dinner. The witch will be great, I say. She's not buying it and starts to wail. I leave the room and wail too.Ìý
First thing this morning, 'I don't want to be a witch. I want to be a fairy.' Younger sister starts to wail as the fairy wand she had recently requisitioned is taken back. I hastily assemble a fairy outfit and realise that there are no wings. I call my neighbour. Yes, I know it's 8.35am and it's the school run, but do you have any fairy wings? 'Everything but' comes the reply.Ìý
I then enter a zen-like phase of 'it'll be alright.' It's only P1 class and a wee thing to mark World Book Day. And anyway, I do think my fairy looks great. And she's happy.ÌýBut then as I leave her off at the classroom, a dark shadow falls over me. The oversized hat of the cat of Dr. Seuss has caused a partial eclipse of the sun. And now I realise I have to up my game for next year's World Book Day. It's the look not the book.
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