RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT has been one of our favorite books this year. Its use of language is the highest form of cleverness, working in perfect storytelling harmony with the smart illustrations (Sofya Karmazina). It is picture book brilliance! Now, just in time for Book Week, I am delighted to bring you RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT’s author, Victoria Mackinlay, with the solution to your costume conundrum, whether you’ve got a couple of days to plan or you’re rushing out the door on book parade morning (Shhhhh … we won’t tell!).
Thank you to Scholastic Books for Artsplorers’ review copy of RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT.
It’s Book Week 2020! A celebratory seven days for those of us who love children’s books, and also a week dreaded by time-poor parents scrambling to put together costumes for school book parades.
I’m here to help. Here are three super quick and easy costume ideas featuring the ‘curious creatures’ from my debut picture book RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT. I’ve graded them by time allowance and enthusiasm, and I swear you can piece them together with things you already have at home.
1 – THE “LASTMINUTE.COM”
RABBIT (the greedy carrot-loving larrikin)
Let’s start with this one first in case you’ve found this article in a book costume emergency … You’re on your way out the door to school and your kid pipes up that they’re supposed to be dressed up for the book parade. HELP!
You’ll need:
- Any white/grey clothes (top tip: turn clothes with logos inside-out for a plain look)
- Bunny ears left over from Easter (you could also cut out white cardboard ears and fix to a headband)
- Eyeliner to draw on a bunny nose/freckles
- Carry: a carrot
2 – THE “NIGHT BEFORE”
FROG (the bookish hero with a heart of gold)
The kids are in bed, you’re scrolling through your social feeds and suddenly notice all the book week costume posts and remember your kid needs to dress up for school tomorrow …
You’ll need:
- A printer to print out a frog mask (Google: printable frog masks). Glue the mask to cardboard and attach to either a paddle pop stick or some elastic/string (depending on how your child wants to wear it)
- Some green or khaki clothes (top tip: turn clothes with logos inside-out)
- Optional: a stripy scarf
- Carry: a magic lamp or a book
3 – THE “WEEKEND BEFORE”
ROBOT (the tea-loving master of disguise)
You’ve got a bit more time to plan a costume and feel like getting creative with your kid.
You’ll need:
- Cardboard boxes (top tip: pick up boxes at Bunnings or your local corner store)
- Paint/pens/foil
- Grey bottoms/t-shirt
- Carry: a tea-cup
And if you have a trio of kidlets, why not try all three?
Happy Book Week 2020! Wishing you a magical, ribbeting time 😉
You can grab a copy of RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT to go with your costumes at any good bookstore or online here. Follow Victoria’s bookish adventures on Facebook or Instagram.
Victoria Mackinlay is a picture book author who loves to play with language and tell rich and vivid stories. Her debut – the hilarious and magical RIBBIT RABBIT ROBOT – will be followed by two new picture books in the next two years. Fluent in French and Italian, and visitor of 51 countries and counting, Victoria is a direct descendant of King George III (the one who went mad!).
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