Bring out your book baddies this week!

This coming Thursday is World Book Day!

Many schools will be taking part in this event. A popular way to celebrate is to encourage children to dress up as their favourite book character.

This is always great fun and, whether it be Paddington Bear or James Bond, Alex Rider or Charlie Bucket, there is someone out there for everyone.

And, of course, you do not have to choose a hero. Some of the greatest creations in books are the baddies.

Where would Harry Potter be without Voldemort?

What about Frankenstein’s monster? Although, of course, you could argue the real villain of that piece is the baying mob, or even Dr Frankenstein himself, rather than the creature he created. But, to be fair, the creature is probably the most interesting dress-up choice!

One classic horror baddie who no one can argue about, however, is Dracula.

What he would have made of the sparkly vampires of Twilight, one dares not think. He definitely had a better style about him than his modern successors, though.

If horror is your thing, but you cannot decide whether to go as a goodie or a baddie, then Robert Louis Stevenson came up with the perfect answer, thanks to Jekyll and Hyde.

Just remember, though, if you are a school pupil, to keep Mr Hyde’s behaviour in check when you are in the classroom!

For younger readers, Julia Donaldson has provided plenty of inspiration. The Highway *** (Longtail) is definitely not a good guy.

But, is there even a baddie in The Gruffalo? You can’t really expect anyone with purple prickles all over his back to behave any differently than the eponymous character does and, besides, by the time you get to the sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child. you get to see things from his perspective. If anything, the mouse from the first book is too clever by half.

There are many other baddies out there from the children’s classics.

The Wicked Witch of the West, from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is certainly a more adventurous option than Dorothy, while Shere Khan has certainly earned his stripes as a tiger to fear in The Jungle Book.

Roald Dahl has created a litany of unpleasant baddies. Whether it be Boggis, Bunce and Bean from Fantastic Mr Fox, Mrs Trunchbull in Matilda or any of the more appalling children from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the options are endless.

So, whether you are dressing up or not, why not dig out an old favourite this World Book Day and sink yourself into a good read?

We have many classics in our collections at both the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library.

The Family Library is next to the children’s playground in Westmoreland Road, Douglas. It operates as a charity and also runs the Mobile Family Library and a Schools Service.

To keep up to date on events and to find out more about the services available, check out the Family Library page on Facebook or visit www.familylibrary.im or call the library on 640650.

by the Family Library

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