World Book Day
February 1, 2024
Cat Book Character Costumes for World Book Day
Here are lots of fun suggestions for creating different cat book character costumes, just the thing for World Book Day.
Each blog will include a synopsis of some of my favourite books and step-by-step guide to making storybook props to accompany each of the stories. Children can help make the props which gives them ownership of their character creation too!
I’ll also introduce you to my collection of dressing up costumes. They make the perfect instant outfit – just add one of the props to transform the costumes into the specific book characters and away you go!
Today, we’ll look at CAT book character costume ideas.
Who will you become?!
SHOP CAT DRESSING UP COSTUME
‘Mildred was the gallery cat, and everyone thought that she was the laziest cat in the world.
All day long people would come and go, busy with all sorts of jobs. But no matter what, Mildred would be napping happily in her cosy bed.
But sometimes…
in the dead of night …
after everybody had gone home …
Mildred snuck into the empty gallery!‘
In an art gallery full of wonderful paintings and sculptures from around the world, there is a sleepy cat called Mildred.
During the daytime, Mildred is asleep in her basket. Everyone thinks she must be the laziest cat in the world but little do they know!
At night time, when the gallery is empty, Mildred explores all the works of art. Each one makes her feel something different when she looks at them – happy, thoughtful and even hungry.
Mildred begins to dream of becoming an artist one day but is full of self doubt as to whether this could ever happen. And just at that moment, Mildred spots a little mouse….
Thoughts of becoming an artist take a back seat as her cat instincts take over and she chases it around the gallery.
Chaos reigns as Mildred collides with some decorator’s paints and in so doing, inadvertently creates her very own work of art!
Gorgeously illustrated and full of little details which children will love to spot, there’s a wonderful use of the double page spread to create excitement, anticipation and great storytelling.
The book is inspired by the real Mildred who was the Tate Modern’s resident cat which makes it even more special!
There are nods to famous works of art such as Matisse, as well as less well represented art and artists which is great to see.
I love the message that we all understand and interpret works of art in our own unique way and that everyone can be an artist.
A fabulous conversation starter about art.
Mildred The Gallery Cat Book Characters Props
Let’s make a finger puppet mouse which Mildred spotted in the gallery. We’ll also create our very own wonderful work of art just like Mildred and the mouse did!
THE GALLERY MOUSE FINGER PUPPET
‘On Monday Jasper found a bean.’
Jasper the cat plants a bean. He impatiently ‘looks after’ the bean all week waiting for it to grow into a beanstalk.
The following week, however, Jasper is very frustrated. Despite having tended to it, the beanstalk has not yet appeared so he digs the bean up believing it will never grow.
Jasper throws the bean away and yes, you guessed it… the beanstalk does eventually grow after a long time!
A wonderfully simple text perfect for younger children which works well with the illustrations.
The story incorporates the days of the week, lessons about nature, growing things, gardening techniques and tools, as well as the virtue of patience and learning not to give up too quickly!
The illustrations are delightful and comical with a lovely attention to detail – I particularly adore the little robin and the way Jasper’s facial expressions show his different emotions.
Jasper's Beanstalk Book Character Prop
Let’s put our gardening skills to the test and make Jaspar’s wonderful curling beanstalk.
JASPER'S PAPER PLATE BEANSTALK
‘Once there was a cat called Mog.
She lived with a family called Thomas.
Mog was nice but not very clever.
She didn’t understand a lot of things.
A lot of other things she forgot.
She was a very forgetful cat.’
Mog the Forgetful Cat is the first of the wonderful Mog stories written by Judith Kerr.
At the beginning, we are introduced to Mog and the members of the Thomas family with whom she lives.
As the title tells us, Mog is forgetful and this forgetfulness gets her into trouble! She forgets she has a cat flap, she forgets that cats only have an egg for breakfast as a treat and she forgets she has already eaten her supper.
One night, however, an uninvited visitor appears in the house and Mog’s forgetfulness saves the day. She is awarded a medal for her bravery and is allowed an egg every day for breakfast!
I adore Judith Kerr’s writing and illustrations. They are full of warmth, fun and gentleness. Even the burgular is apprehended peacefully and seen with a cup of tea in hand with Mr and Mrs Thomas whilst the policeman praises Mog!
There’s a wonderful understanding of children (and cats!) and an ability to convey the world through their eyes.
Mog the Forgetful Cat Character Prop
Let’s make the medal which the policeman awarded Mog for her bravery when she inadvertently catching the burglar!
MOG'S WATCH-CAT MEDAL FOR BRAVERY
‘Sid lived at number one, Aristotle Street.
He also lived at number two, number three, number four, number five and number six.’
Sid the cat is very happy with his life. He enjoys having six dinners each day in six different houses with six different owners!
Sid’s owners, on the other hand, are oblivious to this fact. Each neighbour thinks Sid is their cat and nobody else’s.
That is until Sid develops a cough and ends up being taken to the vet not once but six times!
Unfortunately Sid gets found out…
A story full of warmth and humour with beautiful illustrations to match.
Six-Dinner Sid Book Characters Prop
Let’s make the 6 tasty dinners which Sid eats every day at numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Aristotle Street!
SID'S SIX PAPER PLATE DINNERS
‘When Winnie the Witch turned over the page on her calendar, she saw a big red circle around Friday the thirteenth.
“That’s my birthday!” she said.
“I’ll have a party this year, Wilbur.”
“Purr,” said Wilbur. He loved parties.’
Who doesn’t love a birthday party?!
It’s Winnie’s birthday and she is throwing a fabulous garden party. Winnie’s cat, Wilbur, is very excited too as he loves parties.
She sends out invitations to family and friends, makes herself a special party dress and matching bow for Wilbur and cooks some delicious looking party food!
With a wave of her wand, Winnie transforms her garden into a spectacular party venue. Once the guests arrive, there are presents, party games, a treasure hunt and a game of hide and seek
Crazy fun is being had by all until Winnie toots her new trumpet and suddenly the guests all disappear….
Where have they all gone? And more importantly, how will Winnie get them back?!
There are lots of fantastic Winnie and Wilbur stories in the series. All are full of wonderfully silly humour, charm and madcap adventures with amazing detail-packed illustrations which bring the stories to life.
Happy Birthday, Winnie Book Character Prop
Let’s make the magic trumpet which Cousin Cuthbert gives Winnie for her birthday.
Toot! Toot! Toot!
WINNIE'S MAGIC CARDBOARD TRUMPET
SHOP CAT DRESSING UP COSTUME
Hope you enjoy making these different cat book character costumes!
For more World Book Day character ideas have a look at owl book characters and read about the magic of dressing up play and animal characters in my blogs about imaginative play, storytelling and animals in children’s books.
LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH
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