Arjun P (Year 11)

This year’s theme for book week is “Reading is Magic”, and… it got me thinking about my costume and theme when I was in primary school. It wasn’t too long ago, well maybe 7 years or so but the main point is that the theme at my primary school for that year was fairy-tales. The themes are actually quite similar, and I still remember the magic I felt on that day.

In primary school I loved reading and I read every book series possible from the kid’s section. From the Rainbow Magic series, Tashi, all the Treehouse books, every Roald Dahl book to my favourite series ever, Captain Underpants.

Now, let me take you back to a day during my book week as Little Red Riding Hood.

The night before I planned and laid out my red dress, my red jacket with a hood, my boots and my book I needed to take to trade with another classmate. The rule at my school was, in order to dress up you had to bring a book to swap with another person. My pick was obviously a valuable Captain Underpants comic, and I was so excited to dress up.

I woke up the next morning, rushed to put on my costume but to my horror the worst thing that could have ever happen took place. I didn’t remember the iconic and main downfall of Little Red, her basket. I ran down to Dad distraught and pleaded him to somehow find me flowers and a basket 10 minutes before we had to go. Dad being the absolute hero he is, went to the garage and found an old white basket with webs he had to clean off, and some fake flowers mum placed on the dining table. In about 5 minutes Dad had created the perfect basket with flowers, and I knew that my costume was complete.

I went to school and when the bell rang, I rushed to the library and stood in my class line. Everyone had a costume on from different fairy tales I had read and heard. It was like the books were coming to life. There was this feeling of magic and excitement that floated across each line. We could not wait to get inside and see the book we were going to take home.

The magic and joy each of those stories contained awakened feelings that I wish I could experience again. Rewriting my experience and seeing primary school celebrate book week has made me want to highlight the importance of books. This week not only celebrates books and allows primary schoolers to dress up as their favourite characters, but it gives us the opportunity to both discover and reignite our love of books.

As a high schooler, and as the years escape, I have forgotten the comfort and charm that stories deliver. So, I hope that this book week influences us teenagers and adults to pick up a book and continue on that enchanting journey.