Over the years, literary celebrations have evolved to involve not only book clubs but globally appreciated holidays and school book days. For bibliophiles, these days are not just about celebrating books but also sharing their most cherished book characters with the rest of the world. Here at Reading Middle Grade, we’re big on reading (maybe a little obsessed), so what better way to spread the joy of books than dress up as a book character on book holidays!
From classics like BFG to more recent releases like Diary of A Wimpy Kid, we leave nothing to chance. We let our imaginations run wild and wear our characters with pride. Regardless of age, gender and genre, there is a book costume (DIY or buy) for everyone! Read along and discover the fun book character costumes that make book days all the more fun. We’ve included costumes you can purchase and for some, added links to DIY costime-making instructions.
This post has been updated for October 2023.
📚 Disclaimer in the books: Just so you know, Reading Middle Grade uses affiliate links. This means that when you shop via the links in our posts, we may earn a cent or two at no extra cost to you. Thanks for adding to our book buying fund.
Whimsical Book Character Costumes
A little fantasy goes a long way, especially if your kiddo can’t get enough of fairytales and out-of-this-world genres. Ignite your child’s vast imagination by bringing their favourite whimsical book character to life. From princess titles to imaginary characters, there is something for your little bookworm.
Cinderella
This lace and velvet Cinderella costume is great for holidays, parties, and other events. It’s made from high-quality fabric that won’t itch your child’s skin. The dress comes with a tiara, wand, earring, necklace, and gloves!
Snow White
If Snow White is your kid’s favorite’s princess, they’ll adore this satin and tulle floor length dress. It looks just like Snow White’s apparel and comes in a variety of sizes to fit any child’s size (up to size 12!). Looks to me like a sweet Disneyworld outfit.
Sleeping Beauty
This Sleeping Beauty costume is so comfortable your child could probably sleep in it. Made from easy materials like cotton and polyester, it can be worn for a wide range of occasions. Keep in mind that it’s hand wash only!
Olaf the Snowman
Olaf is a favorite for many kids in the Frozen fandom. Make their dreams come true with this adorable costume. It’s 100% polyester and includes a jumpsuit, vest, and soft headpiece. It’s also hand-wash only.
Peter Pan
Got a Peter Pan lover in your home? Try this costume. This Peter Pan costume consists of:
• a green cotton shirt with sleeve gaiters
• A leathery belt with a big gold buckle and big felt leaves
• Peter Pan hat with feather
• Leather Leggings
• Green leggings
Tinkerbell
If your kid want to be a fairy or just loves Tinker Bell, this is a great costume option. This official Disney-licensed costume is made from polyester and comes with detachable wings.
Captain Hook
This Captain Hook costume is fierce and adorable all at once. It’s machine washable. It does not come with the accessories — no hat, rifle, or sword! And the pants material are on the rougher side so if your kid is sensitive to fabrics, might be better to skip this one.
Beauty and Beast
This puffy princess dress is so pretty and will be perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast. The manufacturer recommends hand-washing, and the fabric de-wrinkles quickly when hung up for a while. It’s comfortable, breathable, and easy to wear for long periods.
This polyester Beast costume is soft and non-itchy. It looks a lot like the costume from the movie and kids will love it. However, it does run a bit small, so be sure to size up by a half or full size when ordering.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein fans will love this officially licensed Universal Studio’s Monster costume. It’s top and headpiece-only and needs to be worn with your own pants or slacks. If your kids don’t like full masks or face paints, this is the costume for them.
Nerdy Book Character Costumes
This list will hit a soft spot in kids who love witty books. These costumes will complement your kid’s book smarts and creativity. Each of these costumes stars a witty storyline or character and will appeal to little bookworms nurturing their reading habits. For DIY options, we’ve linked the instructions for making them below.
The Giving Tree (DIY costume)
This mother-kid costume is so adorable and perfect for fans of The Giving Tree.
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger
If you’re planning a visit to Universal Studios and have a Harry Potter fan on your hands, grab this costume. It comes with the hooded robe and runs a bit small, so size up.
The Hermoine outfit comes with a skirt, top and attached robe with a satin hood lining and a felt Gryffindor patch. It is hand-wash only!
Diary of a Wimpy kid (DIY costume)
If your kid can’t get enough of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, they might be into this DIY costume (and also these books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid).
Junie B. (DIY costume)
This DIY Junie B. Jones costume is easy to assemble and a great pick for fans of the series.
Doc McStuffins
This screams ADORABLE. If you’ve got a kid who can’t get enough of science-y stuff and has a healthy love for Doc McStuffins, this is the perfect costume for them.
Ada Twist
Here’s another scienc-y costume for kids who love Ada Twist! It comes with gloves, a lab coat and sticker sheets along with a family activity.
DIY Robot costume
If your kid loves robots, this is a low-energy costume for DIY enthusiasts.
Amazon Robot costume (Hello Robots!)
Not a DIY person? You can buy this robot costume instead. It’s hand wash only and includes the jumpsuit, headpiece, and foam overlay.
Superhero Book Character Costumes
Time to be a hero!
Superheroes come in all sizes and forms. Most of them are humans with superpowers, while some are lab-generated robots and zen-trained turtles. Whichever your child’s pick is, indulge your little superhero in showcasing their superpowers in these fun superhero book costumes.
Ladybug Girl
This sweet ladybug costume is available in a wide range of sizes. Made from polyester with cute ruffles and no zipper, this one is easy to slip in and out of.
Sonic the Hedgehog
The hedgehog costume includes a jumpsuit with attached boot tops, white gloves and headpiece. There’s a back invisible vertical zipper closure, easy to wear and off. It’s 100% polyester!
Batman
Shopsmall with this fun batman costume from a family small business. You can choose whether or not to include the batarang in your order.
Captain America
This fun Captain America printed jumpsuit comes with attached shoe covers on legs and a half-mask. It’s hand-wash only and 100% polyester.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (DIY costume)
Baymax (Big Hero 6 #1)
This adorable costume comes with Inflatable jumpsuit, character mask, pair of gloves and battery operated air inflating fan. (Lollipop and batteries not included, requires 4 “AA” batteries.)
Ninja
Ninja costume complete with 6 fantastic accessories; the comfortable, all-in-one jumpsuit includes a padded vest to store all of your ninja supplies on. This costume comes in three sizes.
Groot
100% Polyester comes with muscle chest costume jumpsuit with attached boot tops, cuffs, and mask.
Gamora: Guardian of the Galaxy
Super Potato
This costume is just brilliant for bringing the storybook series of “Supertato” to life. Made to your choice of size, each costume includes a black face, red felt cape, and a black belt with a gold buckle adorned with a letter S. Brilliant dressing up for World Book Day, stage productions, imaginative play or themed parties. Simply add some gloves and boots to complete the costume.
Classic Book Character Costumes
For most parents, classic books are familiar territory. These timeless generational pieces are the go-to individual, group, or pair costumes regardless of age. There is no better way to relive your childhood while sharing your most loved book with your child than these classic book character costumes.
Madeline (DIY costume)
Dr. Suess Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and Sam I am
This Thing 2 costume comes with a felt tray and adjustable hat.
If you want to add a Thing 1 costume to the mix, this is a fun one to include.
Sam I Am is a complete classic. Dress your kids in this appealing costume.
Max Where the Wild Things Are Costume
Made out of anti-pill polar fleece, felt and faux fur. One Piece suit is easy to put on with velcro along the upper to lower back for a nice wide opening. HUGE fluffy spotted print faux fur tail sewn into the back and large fleece buttons sewn down the front.
Gruffalo
This Gruffalo costume is perfect for events and just to hang out in. It can be easily closed by children’s hands with Velcro and is made of 100% cotton cord the gray fur insert on the back, the head, the claws, and ears are made of 100% PES.
Little Red Riding Hood
Includes a red & white dress with an attached checked apron front and a red hooded cape. Available in sizes Small (4-6 Years), Medium (7-9 Years), Large (10-12 Years), X-Large (12-14 years).
Clifford The Big Red Dog
- 100% Polyester
- Hook and Loop closure
- Hand Wash Only
- Clifford The Big Red Dog costume includes a plush body & hood.
- Available in Children’s Small (4-6), Medium (6-8), Large (10-12)
Where’s Waldo
Costume includes child’s Deluxe Where’s Waldo knit sweater, hat, and glasses. You’ll need to wear with your own pants or skirt.
Pippi Long Stocking (DIY costume)
Alice in Wonderland Costume
This Alice in Wonderland Costume for Kids comes with a blue girl’s dress, a white pinafore apron, and a black hair ribbon.
Prairie Girl
This prairie girl costume is great for kids who love the The Little House on the Prairie books.
Dorothy, Toto, and Tinman (Wizard of Oz)
- 100% Polyester
- Imported
- Pull On closure
- Hand Wash Only
- Dorothy’s iconic blue gingham dress and matching hair bows
- Toy stuffed Toto dog in a woven picnic style basket; fun accessory completes your Dorothy costume
- Measures approximately 9″ Tall, 6.5″ Wide and 4″ Deep
- Toto is grey with a blue and white gingham ribbon; due to differences in graphic settings and monitors, the exact COLOR received may vary from what it looks like on your computer
- 100% Polyester
- Pull On closure
- Hand Wash Only
Matilda
This hand-wash-only Matilda costume is complete with a blazer and skirt. Now all you need are the Mara Wilson bangs!
Willy Wonka
Jumpsuit with attached white suspenders and pant leg detail; attached brown and white striped leggings.
Eloise
The costume is cut to your child’s specific measurements, so you can decide the length of the skirt. We then cut the skirt from black gaberdine and pleat it by hand onto the waist band cut to fit your child. The top is made from a white poly-cotton blend trimmed with white eyelet lace. All topped off with her little red satin bow attached to a hair clip.
Annie Costume
Our authentic Little Orphan Annie costume is cut when ordered to fit your child’s measurements. Each costume is hand made from a luscious red and white gabardine. This iconic little dress is accented with a white collar, cuffs and adjustable belt, trimmed around the collar and cuff in black bias to make this little Annie red dress stand out even more on stage.
Anne of Green Cables Costume
Get your Anne on with this classic Anne of Green Gables costume.
Animal Book Character Costume
This list wouldn’t be complete without works of literature inspired by our four (or two) legged friends. Animal characters are mostly known for their goofy, humorous, and insanely likeable traits. Let your child’s free spirit shine with these animal book character costumes.
Mouse (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie)
Mouse Costume, Gray Mouse Halloween Costume, Party Costume, For Boys or Girls, Toddler Costume A mouse costume, great for a boy or a girl. This costume is made of gray polar fleece fabric. Can be worn with a t-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt underneath.
Olivia
Snag this adorable dress with detachable bow, collar and headband with ears. (leggings not included)
Elephant and Piggie
- Material – 100% Polyester.
- Zipper closure
- Machine Wash
- This pig costume featuring realistic pig face hood, attach a cute pig-tail, handy zipper in the front designs, adds a fun pop to your kid’s Halloween wearing.
- Polyester
- Hand Wash Only
- 2Pcs Cuddly Elephant Halloween Costume for Kids Includes Hood w/ Ears and Trunk, Jumpsuit w/ tail and bow tie
- Size: Toddler ( 3 – 4 yrs), Small ( 5 – 7 yrs)
Splat the Cat
- Size: 9/12mo
- COSTUME INCLUDES: This toddler bubble body black cat costume comes with a bubble shaped cat bodysuit with an attached tail and a black cat headpiece with attached eyes, ears, nose, and whiskers.
The Hungry Caterpillar
Your little one is sure to enjoy this cozy costume! Made of fleece. This costume is a one piece sleeveless pullover.
Winnie the Pooh
One Piece suit is easy to put on with velcro along the upper to lower back for a nice wide opening. The hood is a separate piece from the suit and has a velcro overlapping tap under the chin in front of the neck and is fully lined with cotton flannel. The hood is nice and open around the face and won’t slip down over their eyes.
Bambi
This Bambi costume is perfect for parties or just stay-at-home dress-up sessions. It’s comfortable and easy to wear.
Dragon (Dragons Love Tacos)
Made with soft and breathable cotton this one is designed for little hands to independently dress themselves with stretchy elastics and magnetic snaps. Order the hat, wings, and tail on their own or the full pajama costume. Each piece is made with the highest quality eco-friendly cotton.
Pete the Cat
Toddlers can’t get enough of this Pete the Cat costume! Help your kids dress like their favorite bookish character.
Turkey (Turkey Goes to School, Turkey Trouble)
Soft fleece turkey costume comes complete with turkey headpiece, jumpsuit and bright yellow shoe covers. Durable and stain-resistant man-made fabrics.
Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon Series)
Costume includes a jumpsuit with attached wings, detachable tail and mask.
Garfield
- Polyester,Fleece
- Zipper closure
- 100% polyester fleece fabric
- 100% polyester fleece fabric
- Back zipper
- Stuffed tail attached to back
- Jumpsuit’s torso has padding for plump look
- Officially licensed
Fantastic Mr. Fox (DIY costume)
Curious George and Man in the Yellow Hat
- 100% Polyester
- Polyester
- Product includes: shirt, pants, hat, tie and beltProduct includes: shirt, pants, hat, tie, belt and plush monkey
- Curious George plush is officially licensed
- 100% Polyester
- Made in the USA or Imported
- Pull On closure
- Hand Wash Only
Angelina Ballerina (DIY costume)
Rainbow Fish (DIY costume)
Narwhal
Narwhal Costume, Narwhal Halloween Costume, Party Costume, Halloween Costume for Boys or Girls, Toddler Costume, Narwhale
Narwhal costume – hooded vest made of polar fleece fabric with a gold horn. Can be worn with a t-shirt or a long sleeved shirt underneath.
More book character costumes
In case you didn’t find what you’re looking for, this section may have something that will catch your eye.
Captain Underpants
Green Crayon (The Day the Crayons Quit)
This crayon costume is easy to wear and highly recognizable. No one will have to ask your kid what they are.
Woody and Buzz Lightyear
Toy Story fans will love this jumpsuit with attached vest and holster, sheriff badge, pair of boot covers, hat and bandana.
Grab this Buzz Lightyear costume with a jumpsuit, hook & loop fastener at center back, and elastic back waistband. It has foam sleeve cuffs & a chest piece w/ printed graphics.
Fancy Nancy
I’m a huge Fancy Nancy fan, so this costume is absolutely darling to me! Transform your little girl into a larger-than-life posh character not just for Halloween but also for themed birthday parties, school dress-up days, and sleepovers.
Auggie
This astronaut costume includes one white space helmet with tinted movable visor, and USA flag. It’s one-size only realistic-looking suit with built-in foam padding to protect your head and make your head more comfortable while wearing the helmet.
Beautiful oops! (DIY costume)
Miss Frizzle: The Magic School Bus
If you’d like a costume you can wear on other days, this is a great choice.
Junie B Jones Costume (DIY costume)
Here’s another Junie costume if you didn’t like the first one.
Sparking the joy of reading doesn’t have to depend solely on holding a book in your hand. It can be as simple and fulfilling as bringing your favorite book character to life. From children’s classics like BFG to middle-grade pieces like Diary of A Wimpy Kid, spread your love for books this Halloween season in your favourite costume!
There they are: 60+ of the best book character costumes to try! Which of these costumes have you used in the past? Which ones did I miss?
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