In Australia, ideas for costumes for Children's Book Week were proposed
In Australia, ahead of Children’s Book Week—whose theme is “A Symphony of Stories”—parents were offered simple costume ideas that combine literary characters and music. ABC News Australia compiled advice from parents, a writer, and an ABC Classic host, particularly regarding how to use items already found at home.
ABC Classic host Danielle McGrane advises choosing books inspired by classical music. Among the examples she cited were *The Carnival of the Animals* and *The Planets*—a story about young planetary explorers featuring a button to play Gustav Holst’s composition. According to her, such books help children learn about instruments and composers, and can also provide inspiration for a parade costume.
McGrane recommends that parents who are worried about preparations choose two costume options that are realistic to make and let their child pick one of them. She noted that the costume could be based on either an animal from *The Carnival of the Animals* or a musical instrument from the book *The Flying Orchestra*.
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Jodi McLeod, an author from the Blue Mountains, highlighted the book *Leonard the Lyrebird*, which has been inspiring children’s costumes since its release in 2018. She explained that children have dressed up as lyrebirds in gray-brown outfits, accessorizing with feathers and musical note props. McLeod also advised against overcomplicating the costume: a child can wear their usual clothes, with just one distinctive detail or prop to represent the literary character.
Dineal Deppler, a mother of four, suggested looking for musical themes in books already in the family library. She cited stories about Grag, Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear, and Ruby Red Shoes as possible sources of inspiration. To make props, Deppeler uses cardboard, paper towel rolls, boxes, and tin cans: these can be turned into a violin, clarinet, microphone, accordion, or drum. She also recommends reusing costumes from previous parades.
ABC Classic will cover Children’s Book Week from August 22 to 28, highlighting the connection between literature, imagination, and classical music.
