World Book Day 2026 costume ideas for girls

This beautiful picture book tells the story of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian at New York City public library. As a bilingual assistant, Pura Belpré shared the Puerto Rican folktales her grandmother told her as a child and made puppets to bring these stories to life. She told her stories in both Spanish and English, helping Spanish-speaking communities in New York feel welcome and represented in their local library. 

What to wear: red dress, neckerchief, puppets (if you have them!), and a handmade library card or badge that says ‘Pura Belpré - Librarian and Author’.

Work It, Girl: Blast Off Into Space Like Mae Jemison by Caroline Moss, illustrated by Sinem Erkas 

Recommended for children aged 7-11 

As a child growing up in the 60s, Mae Jemison was fascinated by space. She watched the first astronauts land on the moon and wondered why there were no women among them. At just 16, Mae went to Stanford University and later trained as a doctor before joining the Peace Corps. Then, in 1985, she was accepted into the NASA astronaut programme. Millions of people watched as she made history by becoming the first Black woman astronaut travel into space. 

What to wear: white or blue jumpsuit, black shoes, NASA ID card to wear around your neck.

Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

Recommended for children aged 7-12

This beautifully illustrated children’s book celebrates inspirational women artists from around the world. From Frida Kahlo and Dame Vivienne Westwood to Harriet Powers and Yayoi Kusama, this book is full of creative role models and lots of World Book Day costume ideas! With 50 visionary women artists to discover, this book encourages girls to explore their creativity and inspires them to become part of the next generation of artists.

What to wear: Perfect for a last-minute costume, wear a simple outfit and carry a prop such as a paintbrush, sketch book or sewing kit.

Classic women book characters

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

Recommended for children aged 3-7

Room on the Broom is a much-loved tale about a kind witch and her cat as they fly over fields, rivers and mountains, meeting new friends along the way. A fun story about friendship, teamwork and adventure - there's room on the broom for everyone.

What to wear: purple skirt and white tights, red top, black hat, black cape, wand and sweeping broom (if you have them!).

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Alison Jay

Recommend for children aged 4-11

“Curiouser and curiouser!” Alice is one of literature’s most iconic heroines. On her adventures, Alice meets a grinning Cheshire Cat, a very clever caterpillar and a tea-sipping Hatter. A classic for a reason, Alice is curious, brave and always ready to explore strange and wonderful worlds.

What to wear: a blue dress, white apron, white tights, black shoes, black bow in your hair.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Recommended for children aged 5-9

Pippi Longstocking is one of the most well-loved children’s characters of all time. With her iconic pigtails and mismatched stockings, nine-year-old Pippi lives alone with a monkey, horse, and her suitcase of gold coins that funds her many adventures. She’s playful, quick-witted, and impossibly strong – who wouldn’t want to dress up as Pippi for World Book Day?

What to wear: dungarees or pinafore dress, stripy t-shirt, knee-high stockings, braided pigtails.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Recommended for children aged 6-8

Matilda Wormwood is a kind, smart and proud bookworm who discovers she has special powers. You can easily adapt school uniform at home for a quick and easy Matilda costume.

Here’s 5 reasons why we love Matilda.

What to wear: school uniform, red tie and red ribbon in your hair.

Low-cost costume ideas

You don't have to dress up for World Book Day and costumes don’t need to be perfect or expensive. It’s up to you and your child what you want to do! There are ways to dress up and keep costs down.

Here are some low-cost World Book Day costume ideas:

1. Lots of films are also books or comics. Think of Bluey, Dora the Explorer, Moana or Mulan. If your child’s wardrobe is already filled with graphic t-shirts from famous films or TV shows, you can wear something you’ve already got.
2. Go as a colouring crayon from the book The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. Wear just one colour from clothes you already own and make a paper triangular hat as the pencil tip.
3. Wear all green with a red hat and go as The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
4. Dress up as a walking library and ask for book recommendations. This is a great option if you don’t have big readers at home and you need to put together an outfit quickly. Ask people to draw on a plain white t-shirt or attach a piece of paper to your front and you’re ready to go.
5. Don’t want to dress up at all? That’s okay! Wear your comfiest reading clothes. Or wear your pyjamas like the characters in Sleepovers by Jacqueline Wilson or Sophie from The BFG by Roald Dahl.

Our book-themed interest badges

Girls tell us they love doing badges and activities related to reading. In 2025, we launched 3 new bookish interest badges for Brownies, Guides and Rangers. These new interest badges join our Rainbows book lover badge, so girls can grow their love of reading through all sections.

If you’ve got your costume sorted, why not take a look at our interest badges to help your child embark on new reading adventures:

• Book lover for Rainbows
• Book reviewer for Brownies
• Bookworm for Guides
• Booktivist for Rangers