Today is World Book Day, a day that is designed to encourage children to read and be enthusiastic books. Obviously this is very much something to be applauded, as increased literacy and appreciation of books can only be a positive.
However.
As with most things these days, commercialism has taken over. Now the focus is on buying a costume (handily provided by all the supermarkets) for the day and dressing up, with the actual books only mentioned in passing. I would guess that the majority of children who have dressed up have no idea who they are supposed to be or what books they are from.
Not only that but money has been spent on a costume that will probably only be worn once. When this started, we made the costumes. I remember making an Ace of Diamonds (from Alice's Adventures In Wonderland) from a pillowcase, cardboard for stiffening and a red marker pen. Now they are expected to be bought. Wouldn't it be much better to spend that money on a book instead?
These days it isn't so much World Book Day as World Dress Up Day. So although the idea and intention is a good one, it has become subverted and is rapidly losing its meaning, much like Halloween over the years.
So when our youngest participates we will send her to school with her favourite book, not an outfit. Because today is about books.
