Amid a cost of living crisis, an increasing number of schools and parents are advocating to eliminate costumes for World Book Day. The event, scheduled for March 7, traditionally has children across the country dressing up as their favourite book characters. However, some schools have now opted to allow students to wear pyjamas or comfortable clothing instead.

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Whitecross Primary School based in Linlithgow, UK, was among many promoting this change. Posting on X, it said: “Just a reminder that on Thursday the children can wear jammies/comfy clothes, bring their favourite book and a teddy to read to in school.”

Others, such as Town Junior School in Sutton Coldfield and Latchmere School in Kingston Upon Thames, also joined the ‘Get Comfy and Read’ initiative.

Parents also lauded the approach, with Dr. Edda Nicholson saying it was “bittersweet,” while adding, “It’s great to recognise the cost of living crisis, but sad to see children not having a dress-up day because so many parents are struggling.”

BBC Radio 4 presenter Felicity Hannah also welcomed the move, adding that it would prevent wastage and help save money during challenging times. She said, “Email from my boys’ school about World Book Day. Because of the cost of living crisis, ‘instead of coming to school in costume, we are having a ‘Get Comfy and Read’ day’ — home clothes and something comfy. I love it! The MONEY the parents will save and the WASTE that will be avoided.”

How the cost of living crisis is affecting families

World Book Day reported in 2023 that the cost of living is exerting the greatest squeeze on family budgets in years, thereby creating additional barriers to reading for pleasure. Almost two-thirds (64%) of parents stated that they currently have less money to spend on books for their children than before. Moreover, over one in five (22.4%) pupils receiving free school meals reported that the book they ‘bought’ with their World Book Day book token was the first book they owned.

Read: UK cost of living crisis: ‘a million children do not own books’

Hence, last year, the charity focused on numerous initiatives and provided guidance to ensure that anyone can participate and experience the joy and inspiration of reading, regardless of their household income. This included ideas for no-cost or low-cost costumes, costume swaps, book swaps, and other free activities in schools or community groups. They also offered advice on how to fundraise more inclusively, with a greater focus on reading rather than on other aspects such as dressing up.

The charity’s CEO Cassie Chadderton commented that “many families are facing financial challenges so we want all children, families, schools and communities to feel welcome to celebrate the joy of reading in ways that work for them.”