Book Week Costumes

What is Book Week?

Book Week is Australia's longest-running children's literature event, run by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). It's held annually in late August and includes the Book Week Parade, where kids dress up as their favourite book characters at school. The CBCA picks a different theme each year, but most schools let kids dress as any book character regardless of the year's theme.

Book Week is a huge deal in Australian primary schools, and getting the costume right matters. Below are the costumes Aussie parents reliably buy year after year.

Most popular Book Week costumes

Harry Potter and friends. Gryffindor robes, Slytherin robes, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, plus Hermione, Dumbledore, Snape, Luna Lovegood and Hagrid. Easily the most-requested Book Week costume year after year. Add a wand and round glasses to seal the look.

Where's Wally. The classic red-and-white striped shirt, beanie, glasses and walking stick. Quick to throw on, instantly recognisable, parents love it.

The Cat in the Hat. Dr Seuss is a Book Week staple. The classic red-and-white striped hat with the rest of the Cat in the Hat get-up — a perennial favourite for younger kids.

Alice in Wonderland characters. Alice herself, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit — popular for kids who've read or watched the story.

Roald Dahl characters. Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka, Matilda, James (and the Giant Peach), the Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox, the BFG. Dahl's characters are perfect Book Week material.

Disney book characters. Many Disney films are based on books — princesses (Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Snow White), Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Alice, Mary Poppins and Jungle Book characters all count.

Superhero comics. Comics count as books. Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America are perennial favourites — and they're a great option for kids who don't read traditional novels yet.

Star Wars characters. Star Wars novelisations and graphic novels mean Jedi, Stormtroopers, Princess Leia and Yoda are all valid Book Week choices.

Aussie storybook classics. Possum Magic characters (Hush and Grandma Poss), Wombat Stew animals, Animalia, Mem Fox and Pamela Allen characters — distinctly Australian Book Week picks.

Newer favourites. Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Greg Heffley), Dog Man, Bluey, Wings of Fire dragons.

Last-minute Book Week ideas

The night before Book Week, panic. Here are simple, recognisable costumes that ship fast or you can throw together quickly:

• Where's Wally — striped top, beanie, glasses. Done.
• Harry Potter — robe, glasses, lightning bolt drawn on the forehead.
• Cat in the Hat — the iconic red-and-white striped hat does most of the work.
• Pirate — works for Treasure Island, Peter Pan, How to Train Your Dragon and any pirate book.
• Witch or wizard — covers Harry Potter, Roald Dahl's Witches, Wizard of Oz.
• Princess or knight — covers fairy tales and classic storybooks.
• Animal characters — covers Wombat Stew, Possum Magic, Aesop's Fables, The Wind in the Willows.

Book Week costumes by school year

Kindy and Year 1. Simple, comfortable costumes the kids can wear all day at school. Animals, princesses, simple character costumes work best. Avoid anything with masks, weapons or fiddly accessories.

Years 2 to 4. Kids start picking specific characters from books they've actually read. Roald Dahl, Harry Potter (younger years), Where's Wally and Captain Underpants are popular here.

Years 5 and 6. Older kids want more accurate, character-specific costumes — Harry Potter (older books), Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Man and graphic novel characters.

Book Week tips for parents

• Order early. Stock pressure builds from mid-July. By early August, popular sizes start selling out.
• Pick a character your child knows. If they can't tell their classmates which book it's from, the costume's a miss.
• Comfort matters. Kids wear the costume all day at school — pick something they can run, eat lunch and use the toilet in.
• Keep accessories simple. Schools usually ban weapons (even foam ones). Wands, books and glasses are usually fine.
• Have a backup. Spare clothes in the bag in case the costume gets too hot, dirty or annoying mid-day.
• Check the school dress code. Some schools have specific guidelines about what's allowed — check before ordering.

Why Australian parents choose Costume Crazy for Book Week

• Free shipping Australia-wide. No minimum spend, no fine print.
• Hundreds of book characters in stock. If your child's favourite character has a costume version, we probably have it.
• Family-run, Aussie-owned. We understand Australian Book Week — it's not just a calendar event for us.
• Fast dispatch. Most Book Week costumes ship same or next business day from our Sydney warehouse.
• Sized for Aussie kids. Clear sizing guides on every product so the costume actually fits.
• Afterpay available. Spread the cost over instalments at checkout if you need to.
• Easy returns. Wrong size or character changes their mind? Send it back.

FAQ — Book Week costumes

When is Book Week in Australia?
Book Week runs in late August each year — typically the third or fourth week of August. The Book Week Parade at most schools falls on the Friday of that week. Check the CBCA website for the exact dates.

When should I order my child's Book Week costume?
Ideally by early August. Stock pressure on popular costumes (Harry Potter, Where's Wally, Cat in the Hat) builds from mid-July, and the most-requested sizes can sell out 1-2 weeks before parade day.

What if I forgot Book Week and it's tomorrow?
Order with express shipping at checkout — most metro addresses get next-day delivery. Or pick a simple, quick-to-assemble costume like Where's Wally or a witch/wizard outfit that we can ship same-day if you order before midday.

Does the costume have to match this year's CBCA theme?
Usually no. The CBCA picks a theme each year but most schools let kids dress as any book character — the theme is more of a guide than a rule. Check with your child's school if you're unsure.

What if my child's favourite character isn't a costume you sell?
Get in touch with the character name and the book — we might have something suitable, or be able to suggest accessories to build the look. We're a family business and we've helped a lot of stuck Aussie parents over the years.

Are book character costumes good for repeat wear?
Many of the popular ones (Harry Potter robes, Where's Wally, princess dresses) get worn long after Book Week — for Halloween, themed parties, dress-up play and the next year's Book Week if your child still loves the character.

Related categories

All Kids Costumes · Toddler Costumes · Halloween Costumes · Book Week Costumes Sydney · Kids Costumes Sydney