Headteacher branded a killjoy for telling pupils to dress as CRAYONS on World Book Day
A HEADTEACHER has been branded a killjoy for telling pupils to dress as crayons for World Book Day.
A parent accused Anne Heywood of “removing all the fun” from the annual event.
But the head insisted the ban on kids dressing as different book characters was because poor families could not afford costumes.
Kelly Warren, mum of a pupil at Longmeadow Primary School in Stevenage, Herts, said: "All parents have been told that this year the children must not dress up as their favourite book character.
"Instead they've all got to go to school dressed up as a crayon," snapped outraged Kelly.
"To make it 'fun' the children can be whatever colour crayon they like.
"It's totally and utterly ridiculous!
"This has never happened before and most of the children are annoyed they can't choose for themselves what character they want to be."
Miss Heywood said the school decided to base costumes on The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, as part of their book week.
She said: "Every school has a different approach to World Book Day and this can change year on year.
"Our Book Week is based on the award-winning story The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt.
";There is a tremendous amount of good fun and learning that is prompted by this story.
"Teachers have had guidance from our English leader on numerous activities to do with the children.
"Our librarian is fully involved, visiting classes to read the sequel - The Day the Crayons Came Home.
"Dressing up as crayons - the characters in the story - is part of helping to bring the story to life through drama.
"An important aspect of any special day is ensuring all children can take part.
"Many of our families cannot manage continual requests for funding or special clothes.
"Dressing as crayons means the fancy dress can be as simple as a one-colour outfit, to something as creative as parents would like it to be.
"Thus, far from being disadvantaged, the focus for this year ensures all children can be included."
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