Heather Evans Editorial

The above picture is my current and, if I do say so myself, rather dull array of books on my uni bookshelf. Although I can appreciate the poetry, prose, and drama occupying this space, I can’t say that if I had a choice they would all remain here. Some certainly would be in a box collecting dust, buried in a dark place so they can no longer remind me, find me, and haunt me of past traumatising assignments. Yes, when you get to university, books have this affect on you. Or it may just be me.

However, the first book shelf I probably laid my eyes on was the colourful, vibrant, and welcoming shelf that was in my primary school. I remember when books used to be deemed ‘cool’ by my peers, and in them were magical adventures rather than the mundane existence of people’s domestic lives in some nineteenth century literature. I think what this post really is about is how amazing children’s literature is, how I wish I was Peter Pan or had a tardis, and how I wish I could be dressed up as my favourite fictional character right now.

If we all cast our eyes downwards, today is a very special day. Today is [drum roll please]…

At my primary school, this was the day to impress. However, I found when I was little, the costumes parents would assemble together with safety pins and love were, well, very similar. Not in that everyone came as the same character, but in that the characters all came from the same author, the same mind..

My generation was the Jacqueline Wilson era. Tracey Beaker was the goal on the bookshelf. Every girl in my class pushed their reading ages to the limit to get through that colour coded grading system to reach the glory of Double Act or Dustbin Baby. And, of course, when World Book Day came around, every popular girl in the class would come in some flared jeans and equipped with an appropriate hairstyle to fit their desired Wilson protagonist. There really wasn’t any originality.

Being an identical twin, it was very easy for us to slip into this Wilson trap. It was as if she had written a book just so we could dress up as Ruby and Garnet. Yet, my mother wasn’t your typical mum. And we were not your standard girly girls. Of course there was a prize for the best costume on World Book Day, and mum was competitive. Was she going to be beaten by some flared trousers? Absolutely not.

Therefore, for our final book day at primary school, my sister and I went not as your classic Disney princess or Tracey Beaker, but as Cinderella’s ugly step sisters. We raided charity shops with mum on the Saturday before, covering the whole town and rummaging for the foulest fashions. Mum recklessly, yet with clear vision, did our horrendous (or fantastic?) makeup, and finished us off with a feather boa each – Paige’s pink, mine purple. We were the definition of hot messes, and we loved it.

Until, we came into school and everyone was a princess or a teenage girl from a Wilson book.

I remember walking into the gates ready for ridicule from my class mates, holding my sister’s hand; we were now in this together. But, we were not laughed at, but laughed with. Everyone thought we looked great, and we relished in it, acting out our best-loved characters from our favourite Disney film. You don’t need to ask, of course we won best dressed – and we won with a smile.

Thankfully, I think times have changed since then. I would like to think today that there are a range of characters from different worlds roaming the playgrounds across the nation, making wonderful stories together. Children should read a range of books and authors, otherwise you just don’t know what characters and stories you may relate to or be missing out on. Young people may claim they don’t like reading, but it may be that they just haven’t picked up the right book yet, and so many lessons can be learnt from different perspectives. When you are growing up, this is so important.

Also, today is a day to dress as your favourite fictional character. Don’t feel like you have to go with the crowd! If you want to be a princess, be a princess. However, if you want to go as a magical beast from Harry Potter, or something a bit more friendly like Paddington, go for it. No one wants to be the same anyway.

Nonetheless, today I wanted to be a princess – so here I am. 

Happy reading!

Hev xo