IT'S nearly time to set aside mobile phones and tablets and embrace the joy of reading real books.

World Book Day is taking over Glasgow schools and nurseries on March 2 with pupils urged to dress as their favourite literary hero or heroine.

The celebration is marked in 100 countries around the world and there will be dozens of special activities to show how reading can be life-changing.

One of the most well known of these is to have children go to school dressed as their favourite character.

Competition is fierce for youngsters to be wearing the best costume.

And with the internet the pressure is even more intense for a dress-up idea that will go viral, such as the boy last year who dressed as Roald Dahl’s BFG.

1. For parents who want to make their own costumes but lack the craft skills, how about Stick Man from Julia Donaldson's book about a man who happens to be a stick.?

Dress your child in brown leggings and a t-shirt then stick green cardboard leaves all over them.

2. Coloured cardboard will also come in handy when making a Little Miss or Mister Man costume.

It's easy to, again, dress your child in matching leggings and t-shirt then pin a cardboard rendering of your favourite character on to the t-shirt.

3. A blue duffel coat, wellington boots, a red hat and suitcase will make a fine Paddington Bear.

Add a jar of marmalade and a label saying, "Please Look After This Bear."

4. A plain white t shirt and white leggings can easily be turned into a brightly-coloured Elmer the Elephant using multi-coloured fabric pens.

For extra creative points, add a cardboard mask.

5. No World Book Day is complete without a Roald Dahl character.

Violet Beauregarde from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an easy costume to tackle - purple clothes, purple face paint and nail polish plus painted purple plimsoles. Hair can be spray painted purple too and a couple of cushions will give a round shape to finish the costume.

On World Book Day children are also given the chance to buy a book of their own on the day.

Each school pupil from five to 18, is given a £1 token they can redeem against paperbacks or audio books.

Fun fact: World Book Day is on March 2 in the UK and Ireland but in other countries it is marked on April 23 - the day William Shakespeare’s birth.

Could your child's World Book Day costume go viral? Show us what you have dressed them in by uploading your pictures here:

Community answers

World Book Day costumes

"Could your child's World Book Day costume go viral? Show us."

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Thomas McMahon

Your pictures

Glasgow Times: This is my Granddaughter  Charlotte dressed as the madhatter  she was so looking forward to World Book Day  Her Uncle John McMahon who works for the Glasgow Libraries was so pleased that she contributed to the dayThis is my Granddaughter Charlotte dressed as the madhatter she was so looking forward to World Book Day Her Uncle John McMahon who works for the Glasgow Libraries was so pleased that she contributed to the day

From Jacqueline Mcgonagle

Your pictures

Glasgow Times: Cody dressed as Jack & the beanstalkCody dressed as Jack & the beanstalk
Glasgow Times: Cody dressed as Jack & the beanstalkCody dressed as Jack & the beanstalk

From Amanda Dickson

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Glasgow Times: My daughter Kara  as Mildred Hubble - The worst witch book seriesMy daughter Kara as Mildred Hubble - The worst witch book series

From Stacey Phillips

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Glasgow Times: Willy Wonka! Everyone at School loved his Outfit! ☺️Willy Wonka! Everyone at School loved his Outfit! ☺️

From Alice Mccartney

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Glasgow Times: Charlottes web🕷🕸 #WORLDBOOKDAYChloe Paterson age 10Charlottes web🕷🕸 #WORLDBOOKDAYChloe Paterson age 10

From Stacey Fountain

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Glasgow Times: Jaydon Jack age 5 as Darth VaderJaydon Jack age 5 as Darth Vader

From Claire Brown

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Glasgow Times: Leia (6) dressed as Rupert the ferret from her favorite bookLeia (6) dressed as Rupert the ferret from her favorite book

From Holly Smith

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Glasgow Times: Book fairy costume  made from old story books,  white t-shirt & top & tutu wand and hair band. Daughter won a prize at school for the costume.Book fairy costume made from old story books, white t-shirt & top & tutu wand and hair band. Daughter won a prize at school for the costume.
Glasgow Times: Book fairy costume  made from old story books,  white t-shirt & top & tutu wand and hair band. Daughter won a prize at school for the costume.Book fairy costume made from old story books, white t-shirt & top & tutu wand and hair band. Daughter won a prize at school for the costume.

From Hannah Robinson

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Glasgow Times: Liam as Harry Wormwood, the dad from MatildaLiam as Harry Wormwood, the dad from Matilda

From Tracey Campbell

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Glasgow Times: Ross Mclean as Cat In The HatRoss Mclean as Cat In The Hat