BENDIGO students have donned their favourite costumes to celebrate Book Week 2020.
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With COVID-19 restrictions in place, the region's schools had to be creative about what activities and parades could happen as part of the annual event.
At White Hills Primary School, only the prep students dressed up as their favourite characters for a COVID-safe parade on Thursday.
Prep team leader and teacher Emma Roberts said having parents watching from behind the school gate added some normalcy to a challenging year.
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"It's amazing," she said. "The kids are all super excited. It's such a nice opportunity to have a book week parade given we've had such a tricky year."
St Therese's Primary School in Kennington also celebrated Book Week with a parade and a number of other events including a crazy hair day and a second-hand book sale.
Librarian Laura Terry said the school really embraced this year's Book Week theme - curious creatures, wild minds.
"Books are fun and it's great to see students engaging in great Australian literature and making their own personal connections," Mrs Terry said.
"Lots of kids who go through challenges can read a story and see what they are going through. It can be so powerful for them.
"Every child, no matter what their challenges are, they all stop for a story."
Mrs Terry said Book Week had united the school after a year of remote learning.
"With COVID-19, we all lost a sense of community," she said. "At St Therese's we have a great sense of community.
"The Book Week parade has been a breath of fresh air. We're sad the parents couldn't be there but just having the school together is a momentous occasion."
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