World Book Day 2025: Children don adorable fancy dress outfits to celebrate favourite literary characters

Children across the country are going into school dressed as their favourite literary characters to mark World Book Day.

The annual event, which was started in 1995, has become one of the most exciting days for children across the UK and Ireland.

It aims to encourage children to read by celebrating authors and illustrators, nurturing a love for books.

And children showed off a wide range of popular book characters, opting to dress as figures from popular classics to new favourites.  

Sonny Parkins-Snell, three, donned the bright costume of the Colour Monster, from the book by Anna Llenas.

The 2012 publication, which is titled The Colour Monster, helps toddlers to identify their feelings and discuss them with parents and teachers.

Her brother Teddy Parkins-Snell, five, opted for a perennial favourite when it comes to dressing up, donning a dinosaur costume.

The youngster showed off his favourite book, titled Dinosaurs, in his photograph showcasing his impressive outfit. 

CLASSIC: Theo Partasides opted to dress as the tiger from the classic book The Tiger who Came to Tea, published in 1968

Arthur Baggott, 4, chose to dress as popular character the Highway Rat for World Book Day 

Theo Partasides, four, opted to dress as the tiger from the classic book The Tiger who Came to Tea.

Written and illustrated by Judith Kerr, the book was published decades ago, in 1968 – and continues to be a favourite.

Meanwhile, Arthur Baggott, four, chose to dress as the Highway Rat from the book of the same name by Julia Donaldson. 

Clio Robinson, four, from Maidenhead, decided to dress up as Princess Pearl from Zog for today’s event.

Characters from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – the same tea behind the equally popular children’s book The Gruffalo – are a World Book Day favourite.

Also opting to represent the same series, Finlay, three, from London, dressed as Zog from Zog and the Flying Doctors.

As ever, characters from Harry Potter were among those chosen by children for their costumes.

One child, who is a huge fan of the series by JK Rowling, dressed up as Hedwig from the series.

Clio Robinson from Maidenhead, decided to dress up as Princess Pearl from Zog for World Book Day

Finlay, age 3 from London, dressed up as Zog from Zog and the Flying Doctors by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

HARRY POTTER: One child, who is a huge fan of the series by JK Rowling, dressed up as Hedwig the owl from Harry Potter

Cecily Robinson, seven, as Mildred Hubble from the Worst Witch

10-year-old Harry is a huge fan of the Dogman graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, and decided to dress as the titular character

Addison and Aidan Jones also opted to dress up as characters from JK Rowling’s popular series, dressing as Hermione Granger and Harry Potter respectively

Hedwig is an owl who was gifted to Harry on his 11th birthday – and became a close friend to the youngster. 

Meanwhile, Cecily Robinson, seven, dressed as Mildred Hubble from the Worst Witch, complete with a broomstick and pointed hat.

Harry, 10, is a huge fan of the Dogman graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, which features a half dog and half man character. He recently saw the film featuring the character, making his costume an easy choice.

Meanwhile, siblings Addison and Aidan Jones also decided to be characters from JK Rowling’s popular series, choosing to dress as Hermione Granger and Harry Potter respectively. 

Ghilly, 10, chose the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) To Save Every One as his favourite book for World Book Day today. 

The book tells the 200 year history of the RNLI. His impressive homemade costume has him at the helm of his ILB, B-OOO.

Ghilly, 10, chose the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) To Save Every One as his favourite book for World Book Day 

Alf Sherrin, one, celebrated his first World Book Day today. His mother created a Dear Zoo animal crate for him to take to nursery and hold, to represent his favourite book

It may be more than 100 years old, but Peter Pan is still a favourite among children. Twins Alexander and Oliver Skelton, six, dressed as characters Peter Pan and Captain Hook 

Ghilly’s mother said: ‘We spend our weekends visiting stations and in January as a Christmas present spent the weekend at RNLI College, which apart from being an educational experience was magical and everyone and everything was incredible.’

Alf Sherrin, one, showed you are never too young to start reading. His mother created a Dear Zoo animal crate for him to show off his favourite read, Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, for his first World Book Day.

Meanwhile, six-year-old twins Alexander and Oliver Skelton went to school as Peter Pan and Captain Hook from the children’s favourite story Peter Pan, written more than 100 years ago by J.M. Barrie. 

Hugo Rusin also chose to dress up as a classic literary character – Paddington Bear.

A huge fan of the series featuring Paddington, Hugo dressed as the bear, donning a blue duffle coat, red boots and red bucket hat, accompanied by an authentic souvenir suitcase from London’s Paddington Bear Experience.

Matilda, Jude and Penelope McDonagh, from Bushey, dressed as Sofia Sofa from David Walliams’ World’s Worst Children, a Minecraft creeper from Diary of a Minecraft Creeper, and the gingerbread man respectively

Hugo Rusin looked adorable in his Paddington Bear costume – even carrying a marmalade sandwich in his suitcase

He even packed a jar of marmalade and a marmalade sandwich in his suitcase, both of which he made with his mother.

Matilda, Jude and Penelope McDonagh, from Bushey, also shared their impressive costumes. 

Matilda dressed up as Sofia Sofa from David Walliams’ World’s Worst Children, Jude as a Minecraft creeper from Diary of a Minecraft Creeper, and Penny the gingerbread man. 

World Book Day is celebrated across the UK and Ireland’s schools every year. The day is meant to encourage children to pick up reading and learn to enjoy the habit.

The event website says: ‘We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them.’