The Boy In The Dress
Encyclopedia
The Boy In The Dress is a children's book written by David Walliams
and illustrated by Quentin Blake
. It is the first book by Walliams, a television comedian best known for the show Little Britain
. It tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy who enjoys cross-dressing
, and the reactions of his family and friends. It is aimed at readers aged eight to twelve.
magazine, but is caught by his horrified father; John calls him 'Denise'. At school that day Dennis is given detention, where he meets the glamorous Lisa James, who ultimately lends him a dress which he wears to school. Which makes Dennis very embarrassed even though he fancies Lisa.
in the Guardian noted the novelty of Walliams's light-hearted approach to transgender themes, compared with treatments in earlier children's books on the subject like Terence Blacker
's 2004 title Boy 2 Girl. Nicolette Jones in the Times praised Blake's illustrations and, though she called Walliams's writing "not the finest", noted "Everyone is on the side of freedom and tolerance by the end, for which the book must be applauded."
, or whatever it is".
French teacher Miss Windsor cuts short a school detention, hoping to get home in time to watch Neighbours
, though in America this reference has been changed to The Young and the Restless
.
in October 2008, with a paperback release scheduled for May 2009. Walliams and his comedy partner Matt Lucas
recorded an audiobook of the story, also for HarperCollins, which was released in November 2008. HarperCollins were reported to have signed Walliams for a two-book deal.
David Walliams
David Edward Walliams is an English comedian, writer and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the TV sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile...
and illustrated by Quentin Blake
Quentin Blake
Quentin Saxby Blake, CBE, FCSD, RDI, is an English cartoonist, illustrator and children's author, well-known for his collaborations with writer Roald Dahl.-Education:...
. It is the first book by Walliams, a television comedian best known for the show Little Britain
Little Britain
Little Britain is a British character-based comedy sketch show which was first broadcast on BBC radio and then turned into a television show. It was written by comic duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas...
. It tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy who enjoys cross-dressing
Cross-dressing
Cross-dressing is the wearing of clothing and other accoutrement commonly associated with a gender within a particular society that is seen as different than the one usually presented by the dresser...
, and the reactions of his family and friends. It is aimed at readers aged eight to twelve.
Plot
The story follows a boy named Dennis and his older brother John, whose parents are divorced. The boys remain with their father, who resorts to comfort eating to cope after his wife leaves; Dennis finds comfort in his mother's left-behind clothes. Dennis buys a copy of VogueVogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
magazine, but is caught by his horrified father; John calls him 'Denise'. At school that day Dennis is given detention, where he meets the glamorous Lisa James, who ultimately lends him a dress which he wears to school. Which makes Dennis very embarrassed even though he fancies Lisa.
Literary significance and reception
Reviewers and the press noted the book's resonance with Walliams's own cross-dressing. Philip ArdaghPhilip Ardagh
Philip Ardagh is an English children's author, primarily known for the Eddie Dickens series of books. He has written more than 70 books including adult fiction and children's non-fiction....
in the Guardian noted the novelty of Walliams's light-hearted approach to transgender themes, compared with treatments in earlier children's books on the subject like Terence Blacker
Terence Blacker
Terence Blacker is an English author, columnist, journalist, and publisher. He is the son of General Sir Cecil Hugh Blacker, and the brother of sculptor Philip Blacker....
's 2004 title Boy 2 Girl. Nicolette Jones in the Times praised Blake's illustrations and, though she called Walliams's writing "not the finest", noted "Everyone is on the side of freedom and tolerance by the end, for which the book must be applauded."
Allusions
Dennis's father tells him "No more Small EnglandLittle Britain
Little Britain is a British character-based comedy sketch show which was first broadcast on BBC radio and then turned into a television show. It was written by comic duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas...
, or whatever it is".
French teacher Miss Windsor cuts short a school detention, hoping to get home in time to watch Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, though in America this reference has been changed to The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
.
Publication history
The book was published in hardcover by HarperCollinsHarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
in October 2008, with a paperback release scheduled for May 2009. Walliams and his comedy partner Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas
Matthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
recorded an audiobook of the story, also for HarperCollins, which was released in November 2008. HarperCollins were reported to have signed Walliams for a two-book deal.