The Boy in the Dress:I found David Walliam’s tale refreshing and extremely enjoyable. Walliams has produced a unique story that will challenge young readers in both subject matter and the socially accepted norms they may hold. ‘The Boy in the Dress’ explores the sensitive themes of transgender dressing, reactions of friends and family, divorce and the consequences of living apart from a parent in a light hearted comedic way. At the same time the book is refreshing and may be really comforting to a child who may not conform to the typical gender roles. ‘The Boy in the Dress’ shines a positive light on diversity. When Dennis’ parents split up, he is understandably distraught and when forced to live with his father, his coping mechanism is to wear the clothes his mother had left behind. The theme of diversity explored sensitively throughout the book can be used as a stimulus to explore the variety of our humanity for students in latter ks2 during PSHE lessons. ‘The Boy in the Dress’ could also be used to explore the various forms of bullying. A heartwarming story about family, friendship, and being who you are. Twelve-year-old Dennis loves soccer and fashion. He's also tired of the monotony of his life and longs to be different, to feel special. When he’s presented with an opportunity to try on several of a friend’s dresses, he nervously does so and discovers he enjoys wearing them and can pass as a girl. Emboldened by this knowledge, he agrees to attend school disguised as a French foreign exchange student -- which works, until it doesn’t, and Dennis is expelled from the school and the soccer team (just before the final match of the season!). Fast-paced and often genuinely funny, Dennis’s dilemma (Why can’t he wear dresses? What will his father, brother, friends, and teammates think? Will he be able to play in the soccer final?) raises interesting age-appropriate questions about masculinity, gender, and gender performance. I particularly loved his friend Darvesh and Darvesh's open-minded, over-zealous mother.A great read-aloud possibility. (P.S. Walliams is British...and so is the text).
What do You think about Campione In Gonnella (2011)?
A really good book David will become a classic
—paul
