When it comes to World Book Day, many children dress as their favourite character from beloved children's authors such as Dr Seuss or Roald Dahl.
However, one eight year old took a different route when she dressed as the North East's favourite detective.
Vera-obsessed eight year old Eden Pickerin from Stoke-on-Trent turned up to school in a brown trench-coat, hat, scarf and accessorised with police badge and disposable overshoes for World Book Day, capturing the attention of Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn.
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Eden's dad Stephen, said: "We got into watching Vera quite late but during lockdown it became regular viewing, so much so that Friday nights became 'Vera Night' for myself, Lisa (Eden's mam) and Eden.
"We weren't sure whether she would remain interested for the two hour duration, but she was hooked. We all looked forward to our Friday Night Vera Night.
"For Christmas this year, Lisa decided to get the Vera clothes for Eden. She got the details right down to the blue shoe covers and identification, and Eden loved it. When it came to World Book Day there was only ever one character Eden wanted to dress up as, and knowing that Vera was also a book as well as a TV character, off to school as Vera she went!"
As of yet, there is no children's fancy dress outfit for Vera, and Eden wasn't sure many of her friends knew who she was dressed as, but several of her teachers loved her costume. It also caught the attention of Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn on Twitter.
Stephen continued: "We were amazed when both retweeted it and Ann commented that she loved it! Since then we've received loads of positive comments with people loving the blue shoe covers, and up to now over 900 likes on the photo!"
Eden is perhaps a bit young to read the Vera books right now but does enjoy David Walliams, Roald Dahl and Kes Gray. And the family's regular Vera nights have inspired them to visit Northumberland for the first time this summer for a family holiday.
Stephen continued: "We have booked onto a half day Vera tour so can't wait to visit some of the locations from the show. How amazing would it be if filming was taking place at the time, then maybe our 'little Vera' could meet the real Vera!"
Both Vera author Ann Cleeves and actor Brenda Blethyn shared Stephen's post, with Brenda sharing an edited version in front of the photo in front of her iconic Land Rover, saying: "Love this. Vera doppelgänger."
Speaking to the Chronicle, Ann also said: "I just thought it was so sweet. It's a bit of a compliment, one of your characters turning up as a World Book Day costume. I never thought that would ever happen, so it was lovely to see!"
Last year, Ann started the 'reading for wellbeing' project to make the 21st anniversary of The Crow Trap, the first book in the Vera series and in recognition of the solace she's found in stories throughout her life. And she believes that reading from a young age is essential.
She continued: "Reading is really, really important. There was an OECD report done years ago that showed reading for pleasure was a higher indicator of academic success than parental income or status. So you know, all this talk about levelling up, if we're serious about it we need our kids to be having fun reading.
"Anything that makes reading a joy is a good thing."
