45 Best Book Character Costumes That Are Truly Novel Ideas
Readers, get ready to tell your own story.
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Think of your favorite childhood book and the characters that make up the story. If you could be them for one day, would you? We know Ree Drummond would! For her, it was a whole series of books that had her completely captivated as a child. "I grew up reading the Little House on the Prairie series," Ree says of Laura Ingalls Wilder's most popular works. "I absolutely adored them." When you're that passionate about a book as a child, the love never really goes away—and that's exactly what inspired us to put together this list of the best book character costumes to wear for Halloween.
Maybe you're a teacher looking for a fun way to teach a literature lesson on October 31, maybe you're looking for ideas for your kids, or perhaps you're a teen or parent wanting to step back into those magical, memorable pages yourself. Either way, you'll love taking a trip down memory lane as you scroll through these easy Halloween costume ideas, which include sibling costumes, best friend costumes, group costumes, and more.
There's a DIY "Where's Waldo?" costume here that'll have your fellow Halloween party guests in stitches, and plenty of pop culture costumes like Harry Potter. And we dare you to take a look at the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie costumes included here and not crack a smile. And because all of these ensembles are easy to DIY, they double as excellent last-minute Halloween costumes as well. From classic novels to more modern works, bookworms, prepare to be wowed!
Make sure you're ready for spooky season:
Paddington Bear Costume
How bear-y cute is this costume? If your kiddos also enjoy a marmalade sandwich (or just have a fondness for this furry friend) a blue raincoat, red rain boots, and a matching red hat are all it takes to emulate Paddington.
Pinocchio Costume
No growing noses here, because it's no lie to say this might be one of the most adorable costumes ever! Dress up as the mischievous marionette created by Italian author Carlo Collodi with colorful items like lederhosen, a vest, and a pointed feather hat.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Raggedy Ann Costumes
Your Halloween adventures are sure to be as magical as those of Raggedy Ann herself when you dress up as the beloved rag doll. The most important details is the red yarn wig! From there, you can wear a fun outfit with bows, tights, aprons, and other accessories.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Cruella De Vil Costume
It's okay to be a little villainous on Halloween! Take on the iconic Disney villain Cruella De Vil with a spotted coat, black slip dress, red gloves, and a black and white wig. Oh! Don't forget to add a dog—real or fake!
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
Coraline Costume
Want to lean into the scarier side of Halloween? Enter the Other World as Coraline! Everyone will guess your character thanks to her
bright blue wig, yellow raincoat, and rain boots. Add some buttons for an extra creepy touch.
Pride and Prejudice Costumes
If classics are your favorite, you're sure to love this idea most ardently! Don the timeless elegance of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet for a night that you won't soon forget.
Fantastic Mr. Fox Costumes
How great is this? Think outside the fox (get it?) with this take on the children's novel Fantastic Mr. Fox written by Roald Dahl. After you put together your vintage outfits, you can make a fox mask out of poster board and watercolor paint.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Peter Pan Costumes
Though we all know and love the movies, Peter Pan was first a play and then a novel titled Peter and Wendy. The whole family can take a trip to Neverland with this magical group getup featuring the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and The Lost Boys.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Cinderella Costume
As the beloved princess once said, "Did you ever see such a beautiful dress? And look! Glass slippers. Why, it’s like a dream. A wonderful dream come true." You can copy her iconic ensemble with a vintage blue dress, matching satin gloves, a black choker necklace and, if you really want to go all out, a blonde wig.
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
The Handmaid’s Tale Costumes
A deep red cloak and dress paired with a white bonnet will have you instantly recognizable as a Gilead handmaid from Margaret Atwood's chilling novel. You can also grab a group to make this one even more impactful.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Costumes
This classic fairytale costume is just right! Since you can use clothes right from your own closet, the only things you'll need to make are papier-mâché bear masks and a little golden wig! Bowls of porridge are optional...
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Mary Poppins Costume
Now this is one supercalifragilisticexpialidocious costume! You can probably throw it together using items you already have in your closet including a bag and umbrella. Just add a few charming accents like a hat and red ribbon.
Get the tutorial at Merrick's Art.
Ms. Frizzle Costume
Teachers and The Magic School Bus fans alike will get a kick out of this spunky costume. Luckily, it only takes a few steps to embody every child's favorite bus driver. Just don't forget her pal Liz the lizard!
Get the tutorial at Maniacs in the Middle.
Willy Wonka Costume
Halloween already comes with all things candy, so why not dress up as the master of chocolate himself? Grab your golden ticket and get to crafting! This one calls for a lot of purple.
Get the tutorial at Hello Rigby.
Hermione Costume
The tiny witch's hat on this Hermione Granger costume couldn't be cuter! Toddlers are certainly as headstrong as this character—though they may need a little more help mastering her go-to spells and charms. Bonus: If you're looking for great group costumes, just add Harry Potter and Ron Weasley to complete this trio.
Get the tutorial at Sisters, What!
Amelia Bedelia Costume
Literature's most beloved and literal-minded housekeeper just got a costume tutorial! Once you layer the collared shirt under the long sleeve dress, everything will start coming together! How charming!
Get the tutorial at The Chirping Moms.
Eloise Costume
If you ask us, Eloise and Weenie make the perfect duo for this Halloween! The super cute homage to the classic series by Kay Thompson will delight both kids and adults.
Get the tutorial at People Webs.
Tin Man Costume
Get ready to take a stroll down the yellow brick road. Yep, you probably know The Wizard of Oz as a famous movie, but did you know that it was a book first? Channel the beloved character the Tin Man from this classic work.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin & a Princess.
'The Hunger Games' Costume
Who doesn't love Katniss Everdeen and her strong, courageous personality? Help your teen or pre-teen have her main character moment with this easy-to-assemble ensemble. It's bound to make them feel as cool as they look.
Get the tutorial at Simple As That.
'Anne of Green Gables' Costume
Any kindred spirits out there will love bringing the classic character of Anne Shirley to life with nothing more than a few wardrobe basics, some hair ribbon, and a straw hat.
Get the tutorial at Kastles.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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