Friday, August 24, 2012

the wimpy kid and pippi longstocking

 As a kid I loved those dress up book weeks. I remember all the various dress ups, such as Little Red Riding Hood. Or the embarrassing year I had to go as a robot, in a hand-me-down outfit from last year (which one kid recognized and pointed out). But I think the biggest secret (or not so secret) aspect of Book Week is the huge stress on the parents that is putting together an outfit of the chosen book character.

I bumped into several mums in town also hunting high and low for white shirts, stripey socks, brown hats or whatever the case may be.

I had a sewing pattern all ordered for Julia, but it didn't arrive in time, and so one day before the event we were back to the drawing board. Not without a sense of relief, as I had envisioned an entire night of sewing for Snow White and her voluminous dress. Flicking through Julia's books, I thought we could pull off a last minute Pippi Longstocking. In the end we did manage using what we had on hand.

Our Wimpy Kid was easy enough once we found a white shirt in the op shop. With Dad playing hair stylist that morning.

Thank goodness for black texta. Wimpy kid logos and striped socks were drawn in that morning.






Of course it all tends to come together on the day.


The parade was full of colourful characters. The Man From Snowy River,  a boy as Mrs Trunchbull from Matilda, another Pippi Longstocking and Paddington Bear, to name a few.


There was morning tea to eat and drink and then books to look at. I believe I'm guilty of having just as much fun as the kids searching through this years titles. 


I guess you never really grow out of the joy that is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book.

21 comments:

  1. I certainly never grew out of children's books. Still enjoy them immensely. I love your children's costumes and from my memory, the best ones are normally made from bits and pieces at hand. Cute and clever braids.

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  2. too cute! our school is doing this next week but you can dress up as your favourite number or maths symbol which is perfect for my number loving son! I hoping just to draw a big calculator on a plain t-shirt!!! love the whimpy kid drawing xx

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  3. I adore childrens' books and could spend a small fortune on them. There are just so many gorgeous ones out there. Your costumes were great! And when they come together with little stress they are just that more sweet. Wishing you a beautiful weekend :) x

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  4. I love the costumes Tania....so much better than a snow white creation i am sure!!
    I am really enjoying being able to get back into the world of children's books now that i have the twins....although i am guilty of stealing a few of Miss Teens books too lol!
    Have a nice weekend x

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  5. Snap.....my little girl went to school dressed as Pippi Longstocking today too (see www.norfolkexposure.com)....love dress-up days....they are the moments we remember about school. Have a lovely relaxing weekend!

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  6. My little boy is still dressed up as Harry POtter, complete with scar...(I did manage to get him to take the cloak off for bed last night!) Great costumes.

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  7. I remember going as Heidi, the goat herder. I had never thought about the effort mum put into it. At peddlers parades mum would make little bean bag clowns that would all sell in the first 10 minutes!

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  8. there was no dress ups at our school this year, not sure why, has been the previous 5 years. I love children's books, all the magical places a good book can take you!

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  9. very cute!! My girl went as, suprise, suprise, a ballerina!! ahhh 4yr-old-ballet'love :)
    I did once see something about using pipe-cleaners plaited into the plaits - then you can 'bend' the plait and apparently they do stick up just like pippi's plaits :)
    Lauren
    p.s. that kettle is beautiful - one day you should be able to give it to your grandkids!!
    p.p.s. well done on violets cardi - you have way more patience and courage than me :)

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  10. I absolutely love this idea! We don't have this tradition here and wish we did. Hmmm...I manage an after school program...maybe I can create something on my own :-) Do you mind telling me a bit more about the background and how it all works? Is it as "simple" as kids dressing up as their favorite characters from books, or does it go much deeper? Ooohhh...this could be fun! Thanks for the inspiration, Tania!

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  11. I don't have kids, but that doesn't change the fact that 48.7% of the books I've read so far this year have been children's/young adult literature. I love them. The messages are so endearing and the art so fanciful. It's a running joke at our house. I'll say "So I read this children's book today....blah, blah, blah" and Matt replies "Oh really, you read a children's book?!" as if he is shocked.

    I would have way to much fun at this event you describe. I wonder why we don't do this in the US. I wish I had! Maybe I could at my library! Ooooohhhh....that's an idea to consider.

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  12. my little guy didnt want to dress up....its his first book week...all a little overwhelming. The look on his face when he saw everyone in their costumes was priceless. Fingers crossed for next year. Your kids are adorable!
    Allison x

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  13. Such fun. I'm horrified our primary school doesn't do Book Week Parades (i used to love making the costumes) but high school does?? Bizarre.
    Your sweeties look fantastic, love Posie

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  14. Love costumes made from stuff you already have - with a few cheap accessories added- they are always the best!

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  15. Well done on the costumes! My 14yo daughter still loves to dress up as Pippi Longstocking on occasion. And has quite a collection of stripy socks, which she likes to wear non-matching. Always a bit tricky to do the sticking out plaits ... Various wire contraptions have been created ...
    Love your new kettle btw, we have a whistling one too, but just a Breville. I love that it takes a bit longer to boil than an electric kettle, so I run around and tidy as much as I can while it boils, then sit and relax with my tea in a tidier house!

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  16. What cute outfits! I wish I could pull of a last minute outfit!

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  17. How lovely to hear of these events - I remember when I was a child we used to have a literary luncheon all dressed up. Unfortunately my girl's school is not so proactive but I think we should do something at home....you've provided much inspiraton :) Those are very awesome costumes - sometimes the last minute ones come out the best really.

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  18. Oh we still have this ahead of us in a couple of weeks time. Who to choose, what costumes to create??
    I did suggest Captain Underpants, but he wasn't so keen... can't really imagine why?

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  19. They both look fantastic, simple costumes pulled together with things you have on hand always to work out. Love Violet wearing the bandana:) Nicole

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  20. Very cute! I thought the same about books after watching "you've got mail" last night and the "bookshop around the corner" what a gorgeous shop that was.....I love book week....love costuming but we always make them and from what we mostly have at home....I love that it doesn't have to be exact or perfectly sewn....we go the full hog ;)

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  21. Bee Girl - Yes, it's really as simple as kids dressing up as their favourite character (or the most practical one costume wise!). Some also brought the book in that related to that character. During the day at school there is usually a book parade where the parents are invited to see all the costumes. Often it coincides with a book fair set up the library where children's books can be purchased to raise funds for the school.

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