In our house, I have banned all mention of Book Week until at least May. When the kids were younger, it was cute to hear them workshop costume ideas based on their latest literary fave. But now I struggle to feign excitement for detailed breakdowns of 51 Book Week outfits that are simply never going to happen.

But the real controversy this year is that our youngest’s new school has a tradition whereby all graduating students come as the same character. I totally get the rationale. The sweet visual spectacle aside, the idea of forking out a mere $10 for an off-the-rack costume is blessed relief for parents burned out by last minute costume hunts. No more tears on the parade morning when the wardrobe is inexplicably bare of suitable attire for Gruffalos, Hobbits or bus-driving pigeons. No more costly same-day Amazon deliveries of wizard cloaks that don’t fit.

None of these practicalities dampened our 11-year-old’s rage. It didn’t help that this year’s choice was Cat in the Hat – a decision probably inspired more by mass costume availability than anything else. At least she wasn’t there last year, when the whole class went as Minions –........

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