School head says World Book Day puts too much pressure on poorer families

world book day stress

by Jane McGuire |
Updated on

Dundee school chief Gregor Murray is encouraging local schools to switch the World Book Day focus away from fancy dress...

Most parents will agree that World Book Day can be a pretty stressful affair, and now some school heads have expressed concerns about the pressure it's putting on cash-strapped families.

At most schools, children are encouraged to come to school dressed up as their favourite book character on World Book Day, but it is understood that headteachers in Dundee have sent letters to staff, encouraging them to tone down the dressing up element of the day to protect poorer families.

GALLERY: 17 celebrity offspring show off their World Book Day costumes

Gallery

World Book Day costumes celebrity children

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Denise Van Outen

Denise Van Outen's daugther Betsy

Denise Van Outen has got her daughter Betsy into the spirit by dressing him up as J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter. She wrote: "Our little Harry Potter lost a tooth yesterday ud83dude01". Are your kids obsessed with J. K. Rowling's best-selling book? Then bag a Harry Potter-inspired costume for a 'spelltacular' day.

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CREDIT: Twitter/ Gemma Bissix

Gemma Bissix's daughter Juliette

Ex-Hollyoaks actress Gemma Bissix got her little toddler Juliette dressed up as a lion from her fave book: "Happy #WorldBookDay ud83dudcda Juliette will mostly be Mr Lion ud83eudd81 she wouldn't wear the mane I made for her so her hair can be the mane!!"We're roaring over how cute this lion onesie for babies is. You won't able to resist it for World Book Day.

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CREDIT: Twitter/ Darren Day

Darren Day's daughter Maddy

West End performer Darren Day dressed his little girl Maddy up as Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, writing: "Our Maddy channeling Veruca Salt". We've got the golden ticket to the cutest Veruca Salt outfit. You're welcome.

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CREDIT: nstagram/ Fearne Cotton

Fearne Cotton's son Rex

Fearne Cotton is known for making sure her children's faces are never shown online, and if she does upload one, their faces are always obscured. She's shared a rare snap of her son Rex, with the caption: "World book day is like ever other day for Rex. He wears his squid hat. The only fancy dress he'll tolerate".

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Nicola McLean

Nicola McLean's sons Striker and Rocky

Nicola McLean shared this lovely photo of her two boys Striker and Rocky as Odlaw the baddie from Where's Wally and Clark Kent, Superman's down-time alter ego. She captioned it: "So cute #worldbookday #odlaw #clarkkent".Forget Where's Wally, we've found the best Odlaw getup on Amazon.

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand's children Lorenz, Tate and Tia

Even footballer Rio Ferdinand got his kids in the spirit! He wrote: "My little ones have gone for it this morning!! The make up was on point too!!"

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Geri Horner

Geri Horner's daughter Bluebell

Geri Horner's little girl Bluebell has gone off to schoolas the Queen of Hearts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The Spice Girl captioned the super cute snap: "Bluebell - queen of hearts ❤ufe0f doing her make up. ud83dude0d"Are you looking for a wicked good alternative? We can't believe how cheap this Queen of Hearts dress is.

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Jools Oliver

Jamie and Jools Oliver's daughter Petal

Jamie Oliver's wife Jools dressed one of their little girls up as Matilda from the book by Roald Dahl. She's dressed in a school uniform with a pile of books under her arm and a big ole grin on her face. Cute! Jools simply captioned the photo: "Matilda ud83dudc99".Help your little one feel like they have superpowers too, with this adorable Matilda costume.

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CREDIT: Twitter/ Kate Garraway

Kate Garraway's children Darcey and William

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has shared a snap of her two kids captioned: "Chuffed to bits with my kids last minute costumes for #worldbookday- can u guess who they are meant to be?" But we think we've worked it out...

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Clemmie Hooper

Clemmie Hooper's daughters Anya and Marnie

Midwife Clemmie Hooper has become rather famous in the last few months, especially after her book, How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out: A Guide to Pregnancy and Birth Straight from the Midwife's Mouth, was released last month. She captioned her pic: "Sophie from the BFG and The Illustrated Mum"

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CREDIT: Instagram/ Coleen Rooney

Wayne and Coleen Rooney's sons Kai and Klay

Coleen Rooney got her two eldest sons Kai and Klay in the spirit by dressing them up as Horrid Henry! She wrote: "World book day 2017.... double trouble!! Horrid Henry x2".Help your little one dress up as their favourite terror with this fun Horrid Henry fancy dress outfit.

Counsellor Gregor Murray said: "We want every school in Dundee to make the most of World Book Day in the coming week. This day will be used to inspire pupils to get reading and enjoy the benefits it brings for their education and wider life.

"I am also aware of the financial pressures that any fancy dress linked to the day can bring to come families. But we would never discourage any pupils from using World Book Day as a way to express their creativity about reading."

World Book Day 2018 falls on Thursday 1st March, and millions of children across the UK are expected to get involved.

What do you think? Will you be dressing your little ones up this World Book Day? Join us on Facebook for the conversation.

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