Families can make the most of money- and time-saving World Book Day Costume swaps organised by Sefton Libraries between Monday 23rd February and Wednesday 4th March 2026.
Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday 5th March 2026, parents and carers can bring along ‘gently used and washed’ costumes from past years and swap them for something different. Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Maghull, Netherton and Southport libraries are all taking part in the World Book Day Costume swaps.
Cllr Liz Dowd, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, said:
“What a great idea to be able to come into one of our libraries to recycle last year’s World Book Day costume and choose another one for this year.
“You might arrive with The Gruffalo and leave with Gangsta Granny or turn up with Matilda and go home with The Mad Hatter!
“All we ask is that the costumes are in good repair and pre-washed.”
Also, a World Book Day costume making workshop with costume designer Marina Diamantidi is taking place at Crosby Library on Tuesday 3rd March from 11am to 2pm. Booking details for the STITCH REMIX session are at https://atthelibrary.co.uk/. There will be tips on how to make a stunning book-related costume for just a few pence in just a few minutes.
Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:
“World Book Day at school is such a good idea in helping get children and young people interested in reading, but we know that for some families, the cost of finding a costume every year represents a real challenge.
“It is one of the pressures that has been mentioned in our work with schools on Taking the Cost out of the School Day© programme with charity Children North East.
“These Book Day Costume swaps and the costume making workshop are a good way of easing the pressure on those families and taking away the stigma for those children unable to take part.”
Cllr Diane Roscoe, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for Children Schools and Families, said:
“Recently, Sefton Council voted to support the UK-wide National Year of Reading to help more people rediscover the joy of reading, so I’m glad to see this initiative in our libraries to help ensure young people can get the most out of World Book Day.
“This is in addition to the work we do through our Family Hubs to promote and support early reading and literacy through various initiatives.
“And we start that work early through our Read to Bump sessions, which support bonding, attachment and brain development in the uterus, giving children the best start in life.”
People can find out what’s going on at Sefton’s libraries at www.sefton.gov.uk/libraries.
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