Book week

This morning we had Spunky Monkey's 'book week' parade at school.

Last year, the parade was cancelled. Last year he wanted to go as the tiny seed.

This year, he wanted to go as the tiny seed. We went through some of our favourite books on the book shelf. Ideas were put forth: Charlie (and Lola), the Hungry Caterpillar, Donald Duck, Blinky Bill, the Fly, Knuffle Bunny, Harry the dog, Max... or the tiny seed. Every day for a week I double checked: "Yep Mum, the tiny seed"

On that very first night that we discussed 'book week', he went and pulled the fabric from the cupboard that he already had in mind for the costume. Some half finished, maroon, velour jumper that I had collected in one of my 'fill a bag for $1.00' op shop raids. I drew up a design and got the approval to go ahead. I had intended to put elastic at the top and bottom to make it look more seed like, but as I don't really like sewing, I skipped it, the costume only needed to last the hour after all.

In a sea of costumes (Little Red Riding Hoods, Pirates, Princesses, Tin Men, Dorothy's, Harry Potters, a brilliant Queen of Hearts and a Mad Hatter to rival Johnny Deep himself ) my son stood proud, in his original choice. Sticking firm to who he is (my little nature boy - simple, uninfluenced). My tiny seed.

It wasn't the best costume in the place. But he loved it and I loved him in it. I asked him, when he put it on, "do you like it?"

"It's perfect!"

Book Week - from the time capsule

(The only two surviving photos of me dressed up for Book Week in primary school. Alice in Wonderland and Little Bo Peep)

To say I was devastated when dress-ups for Book Week at Spunky Monkey's school were cancelled, is an understatement. He was unfazed and in truth, probably wouldn't have dressed-up anyway. Just as long as he didn't miss out on the play in the school library, with a real working drawbridge! he was alright. But after weeks of talking about it, I was a little sad.

What has happened to kids dressing up? Disco's for primary school kids instead of Fancy Dress Balls (the highlight of my school years), and now, no Book Week costumes. Perhaps like my photo's, my ideals are old fashioned. But I know I can't be the only one thinking this.

It was lovely to walk into Miss Moo Moo's Daycare and see little storybook characters running about the yard everywhere. Playing tea parties, painting, making shapes from playdough, riding bikes.

Cinderella, the Queen of Hearts, Snow White, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderful.

Just as Book Week should be.