Book Week Parade Costume ‘Made By Year 1 Student’ Clearly Crafted By Sleep-Deprived Parents With Too Much To Prove.

Imogen Fairchild | Arts & Culture Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

18 August 2025

A Sutherland Shire couple has taken out the coveted Best Costume award at their son’s school Book Week parade, thanks to a fully articulated, LED-lit, historically accurate Narnia ensemble that absolutely no one believes their Year 1 child made.

The costume - allegedly depicting Aslan but described by one teacher as “cirque-level Lion King meets Pinterest breakdown” - featured gold leaf accents, animatronic tail movement, and a fur mane sourced from what one parent referred to as “ethical Etsy”.

Seven-year-old Felix, who wore the costume, was reportedly more interested in the sausage sizzle, while his parents, Stacey and Damien, stood nearby beaming like they’d just won a Logie.

“It’s really all about the kids,” said Stacey, while gently angling Felix toward better lighting for the school’s Instagram story. She has since begun researching part-time courses at NIDA in costume design and “just casually reached out to a few people in the industry.”

Felix’s teacher confirmed he had originally wanted to go as a soccer player but “was gently guided toward something more visually ambitious.”

Sources say other parents were visibly deflated, with one mum overheard whispering, “Next year I’m hiring a fabricator.”

When asked what book his costume was from, Felix paused before saying, “Umm… Paw Patrol?”

Book Week continues until Friday, or until at least one mum ends up in emergency with a hot glue gun injury.