Spider outfit + toy pig 11. Turn a pumpkin into a Giant Peach – James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Make a simple mask. Paper plates are great for making simple masks. You can turn your child into pretty much any World Book Day character they fancy with a little crafting. There's an online guide to making the costume here, which comes with a template for making granny's glasses and a guide to making your own wig. Sienna Shepherdson, aged 11, attends Markland Hill School in Bolton and is dressed as Gangsta Granny (Image: UGC MEN) Matilda Harry now carried a large cage that held a beautiful snowy owl, fast asleep with her head under her wing."

There are so many brilliant characters from wonderful books to choose from. Why not gain some last minute inspiration from The Works’ Books collection and I also wrote a post about 40 books for 5-10 year olds, which is bound to get your creative juices flowing! Popular choices on the day are always the Mr Men, the many wonderful characters from Roald Dahl stories and my choice for next year will be dressing my girls as Dr Zeuss’s Thing 1 and Thing 2 – with twins it’d be criminal not to capitalise on that photo opportunity! I asked my friends for some more handy ideas. The lovely Emma compiled a great list of simple cheap World Book Day costume ideas including a tutorial to make this awesome Diary of a Wimpy Kid head Cut out a straight mouth and circular eyes from the smaller cardboard box to make the Iron Man’s eyes and mouth.Beau Valentine-Russell, aged 9 and Twin sisters Emme and Belle, aged 5, dressed up as The Elves and the Shoemaker (Image: UGC MEN) Read More Related Articles If your child doesn't mind face painting then you can do that too, like 10-year-old Yousef Chowdhury did here. Sophie is a very simple character to recreate. All you need is pyjamas or a nightie, some glasses and your own tub of 'sweet dreams' and you've got your very own orphan.

Probably Roald Dahl's most emulated World Book Day character is Matilda - the little girl with special powers and a love of books. So many ideas for such a great day. I also have some Roald Dahl day costume ideas which will work on World Book Day this March. Kate also has these simple and effective costume ideas. 'I suggested Harry Potter from The Deathly Hallows to my son this year, as it's set when Harry's left Hogwarts, so round glasses, normal clothes and a zig-zag scar that would probably be made with my eyeliner,' she says. 'An even simpler one would be Tom from David Walliams' The Midnight Gang as he spends the novel in his pyjamas. A good one if you're running late that morning!' Or this clever costume if you've left it to totally the last minute Or there's the school attire - a belted suit or coat - a look pulled off fabulously by Salford City Academy Principal Melanie Haselden, who terrified children as she took on the full character role for the day.Also from Matilda is the character Bruce Bogtrotter - the one punished for eating the headteacher's chocolate cake by being force-fed the entire thing. Make a template for your pom pom. Using a compass or a round object, draw two circles of the size you would like your pom pom to be. Get a grown-up to help!

The most important thing you can do on World Book Day is read a book! If you have a reluctant reader, have a read of our blog 10 ways to encourage children to love reading for some top tips. More character inspiration on Busy Things! Some scruffy clothes, perhaps a tatty old coat and a 'Mr Stink for Prime Minister' handmade sign is all that's needed. My 7 year old recently caught the reading bug. She has been reading all her older brothers books, which means she has devoured the Captain Underpants, Barry Loser and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. She is regularly falling asleep with a book on her face and I love that she just wants to read. George from Captain Underpants costumeShe takes on many guises, the Olympian shot putter among them, and a theme taken by Diane Richardson's daughter. Diane Richardson's daughter as Miss Trunchbull Even the poorest of drawers could probably make the face for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but if you're really struggling you can simply go online to get a printout.

Demon Dentist has been particularly popular over the last few years, with Izzy Gent, from Hadfield, among those to dress as the evil character. And if you can't find any round red glasses, or don't want to buy any, just make some from red pipe cleaners and they should last the day. Billionaire Boy

Your little one (with a raggedy oversized t shirt and tights) can be transformed into King Arthur, or Sir Lancelot, or Prince Charming, or Queen Guinevere, or Brienne of Tarth with just a few snips of those scissors. Use clothes from their wardrobe Again this one's more about the accessories than the clothes themselves so you might need to get a bit crafty. A red and white stripy top and hat does the job - as worn by Donna Hannigan's son Brogan below - but you could always draw these on if you're struggling to find one.