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2nd out of 8 books
—
22 voters
10,000 Dresses
by
Marcus Ewert,
Rex Ray
Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows…Unfortunately, when Bailey’s awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Quite the contrary: “You’re a BOY!” Mother and Father tell Bailey. “You shouldn’t be thinking about dresses at all.” Then Bailey meets Laurel, an olde...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
November 4th 2008
by Triangle Square
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For all intents and purposes Cookie magazine is not the kind of publication I read regularly (in that I make less that $250,000 a year). However, a year or so ago this periodical carried a story I hadn't really heard before. It was a true story of two parents trying to figure out how to deal with their young son. The boy liked wearing dresses, and pretty much preferred to wear them all the time. They didn't mind it in the home, but when he wanted to start wearing dresses to school the parental u...more
Alex said the same thing I did after reading this, which was, like, 'What- that's it?' We both had to calm ourselves down and remind ourselves that this is a picture book for children, which is hard when you're used to trans stuff being the province of complicated theory and stately literary explorations (puke) and Felicity Huffman movies (puke puke, except for the 'shoplifting a frog' joke).
But it is a picture book! For little kids! I'm pretty stoked that I live in a world where this book exist...more
But it is a picture book! For little kids! I'm pretty stoked that I live in a world where this book exist...more
2 likes · like · see review
Pioneering children's book dealing with Trans issues. Bailey dreams of magical dresses, but her family says that boys don't wear dresses.
I went to a reading for the book last night, and there were a couple of teachers who say they are getting great response from kids from the book.
Beautiful art by Rex Ray, who has done a lot of book design and also art for David Bowie projects.
I went to a reading for the book last night, and there were a couple of teachers who say they are getting great response from kids from the book.
Beautiful art by Rex Ray, who has done a lot of book design and also art for David Bowie projects.
1 like · like · see review
This book first caught my attention when it got on the finalist of the Lambda Literery Awards in the transgender category. Then, Cheryl Morgan mentioned it on her blog and then I realized it was published by Seven Stories. Have I ever mentioned how much I like this publisher? If you haven't already done so, you should definitely check out their catalog. They're doing some wonderful work.
Anyway, when a single book keeps popping up, it usually means something, so I decided it was about time I ord...more
Anyway, when a single book keeps popping up, it usually means something, so I decided it was about time I ord...more
This is a children's book about a young boy, Bailey, who identifies with being a girl. Every night Bailey dreams of a different dress. She desperately wants to own her very own dress but her parents say no and remind her that she is a boy. It is great that Marcus Ewert, the author, can identify with Bailey because he too has struggled with gender identity himself; that makes this book more sincere. In this book he uses very descriptive language to describe the dresses Bailey dreams up ("the crys...more
10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert, tells the story of Bailey, a young boy who dreams of wearing amazing dresses. Each night he dreams of dresses that are even more amazing than the night before. Each morning he tries to tell various family members about the amazing dresses. However, each family member reminds him that he is a boy, he should not want to wear dresses, and he should never mention dresses again. Eventually Bailey meets a girl who likes to design dresses, but she is having trouble comin...more
This book is bibliotherapy for transgendered children. The six-year-old I care for recently received it as a birthday present for a reason I don't understand. It doens't explain transgender to regular children; it is meant for children who presumably already understand transgender. The boy is inexplicably called "she," which transgendered children might understand, but which needs more explanation for regular children.
I am actually afraid that this book had an undesired effect on the non-transge...more
I am actually afraid that this book had an undesired effect on the non-transge...more
Bailey is a young boy who dreams about wearing beautiful dresses. Bailey dreams of all the beautiful dresses that he can wear. One day he befriends a girl who is a dress maker and she makes beautiful dresses for him to wear. Bailey refers to himself as a girl, while his family refers to him as a boy.
I think that this book is good for children to identify with different types of genders. This book would be useful for a male child who is struggling with identity and gender issues. I don't think t...more
I think that this book is good for children to identify with different types of genders. This book would be useful for a male child who is struggling with identity and gender issues. I don't think t...more
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did because it's not a common topic in literature for young children. I appreciate that Ewert does not try to wrap up a complicated topic with a big group hug at the end, yet he does give the young transgendered protagonist a supportive life line. The prose was good at times and a little cliche at others.
The artwork was not particularly appealing to me. Bailey's imagination via dreams is interesting and I'm sure s/he'd give fashion people something to thin...more
The artwork was not particularly appealing to me. Bailey's imagination via dreams is interesting and I'm sure s/he'd give fashion people something to thin...more
Next year we can pair this with "And Tango Makes Three" on our banned books display! Bailey is a boy who dreams about amazing, beautiful dresses but his mom, dad, and brother tell her (Bailey is called "she" throughout the text) that "You're a boy. Boys don't wear dresses!" Luckily Bailey meets an older neighbor girl who is more understanding. I know this is an issue that comes up for parents; one of the nannies who brings a 3 year old boy to story time told me his dad wouldn't let him dress up...more
This is a book about a dream... or maybe it isn't. This is a book about a girl... or maybe it isn't. This is a book about dresses... yup, that it is. This book was confusing and hard for my kids to understand. It would have been better addressed by deciding if the child in the story was a boy who liked to wear dresses or a girl who liked to wear dresses. If the book is supposed to speak to children and teach them tolerance, having parents and a brother in the story who tell the child to "Go Away...more
I really wanted to like this book but then I read it. Say, young child, if you enjoy behavior not in line with social norms, your family will reject you and you will be sad and misunderstood until you run away and find someone 'like you'. That's...uplifting...I guess... but what little kid is going to get read a book like this by parents like that? None.
Plus, geez, you'd think the book jacket quotes would pick up on the whole "but I don't feel like a boy" thing... trans isn't drag isn't gay isn...more
Plus, geez, you'd think the book jacket quotes would pick up on the whole "but I don't feel like a boy" thing... trans isn't drag isn't gay isn...more
At night Bailey dreams of 10,000 beautiful dresses that she would love to wear. Dresses made of crystals, flowers, and windows. But her family tells her that she can not wear dresses, because she is a boy. Then Bailey meets a girl who is making dresses. Bailey shares her ideas, and together they make beautiful dresses and become friends. The book is a picture book written for grade school students, but could easily be used in a high school classroom. This book was be appropriate for studying psy...more
I think this is an important book because it opens a window into the world of a transgendered child and provides a rare mirror in which other transgendered children can see themselves. It would be a catalyst for initiating a possibly difficult but important conversation in classrooms and families. The author contrasts Bailey's self-image with the way others see Bailey through the use of language:Bailey uses "she" and "her" in self-reference, whereas other family members (mother, father and broth...more
1 like · like · see review
In this odd book a boy who keeps dreaming about dresses tells each one of his family members about it, only to have them make fun of him and tell him that dresses are not for boys. Finally, however, he meets an older girl who helps him actually make the dresses he dreams about. I think this book might be confusing for kids who don't understand that Bailey is transgender. Bailey's family all refer to him as a boy, and he looks like a boy. Yet the narrator of the story calls him a she. I understan...more
Recommended in ALA's GLBTRT newsletter for 'all libraries serving youth', I thought I'd use it for an interactive display in conjunction with Banned Books Week. The question is Will you purchase this book for your school library? Why or why not?
Please read the description, here or at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/glbt..., take a look at the book in your local bookstore, if they carry it (I purchased it at Women & Children First in Chicago) and then please comment here, for a virtual Banne...more
Please read the description, here or at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/glbt..., take a look at the book in your local bookstore, if they carry it (I purchased it at Women & Children First in Chicago) and then please comment here, for a virtual Banne...more
Learning about the hate crime against Brandy Martell and the false criminal charges against CeCe Mcdonald inspired me to continue working for the safety and survival of LGBTQI folks in my own community.
And by my community, I mean my favorite little community at St. Mary’s Pre-School where I read picture books once a week for 30 minutes to some of the brightest minds in the world.
Today, I started my story-time session with a book entitled Ella Sarah Gets Dressed. In the story, Ella Sarah picks ou...more
And by my community, I mean my favorite little community at St. Mary’s Pre-School where I read picture books once a week for 30 minutes to some of the brightest minds in the world.
Today, I started my story-time session with a book entitled Ella Sarah Gets Dressed. In the story, Ella Sarah picks ou...more
10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert is about a child named Bailey who was born a boy but sees herself as a girl and has plans to be a dress designer. Bailey's family doesn't want to talk about dresses or the fact that he sees himself as a she. If he'll just shut up and put up the problem will go away. Except it doesn't and fortunately for Bailey's sake, there is a dress designer down the street who is willing to support her dreams.
It's a book that was on my wishlist and I probably heard about it from...more
It's a book that was on my wishlist and I probably heard about it from...more
WARNING!!! SPOILER!!!
Every night young Bailey dreams about dresses, one on each step of an endless staircase, each dress more beautiful than the last. But when she tells her mother, and father, and brother about the dresses, and asks for help in making them, they scold her, saying “Dresses aren’t for boys.” Bailey explains that she doesn’t feel like a boy, but they each respond that she is and “that’s that!” Finally Bailey finds a friend who is also fascinated with dresses and they begin to crea...more
Every night young Bailey dreams about dresses, one on each step of an endless staircase, each dress more beautiful than the last. But when she tells her mother, and father, and brother about the dresses, and asks for help in making them, they scold her, saying “Dresses aren’t for boys.” Bailey explains that she doesn’t feel like a boy, but they each respond that she is and “that’s that!” Finally Bailey finds a friend who is also fascinated with dresses and they begin to crea...more
I understand the point of this book. I've known a little boy who was very clearly a girl on the inside, and my heart breaks for him. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to feel as though you are trapped in the wrong body.A book like this would be perfect for that little boy.
That being said, I didn't love this book. I was hoping for more acceptance from Bailey's family, but I suppose that it's just comforting enough that he found a friend at the end.
That being said, I didn't love this book. I was hoping for more acceptance from Bailey's family, but I suppose that it's just comforting enough that he found a friend at the end.
10,000 dresses tries just a bit too hard and, while it may be reflective of some families, showcases far more disrespect and hate than it does the love and understanding it's supposed to convey. It's not that the book doesn't bring smiles and warmth, it's that it's far too thin and there's a pretty uneven balance. I think it'll leave kids feeling more confused and not do much to further acceptance. Really disappointed in this one. :(
i love how imaginative little bailey is! dreaming sweet dreams of dresses every night... crystals and flowers and windows to the world.
ewert's use of pronouns (referring to bailey as she despite bailey being told she is a boy by the rest of the world) is groundbreaking in a children's book. not to mention, rex ray's rendition of bailey's world is unique and beautiful like little cut-ups of color and dreaming.
i love it!
ewert's use of pronouns (referring to bailey as she despite bailey being told she is a boy by the rest of the world) is groundbreaking in a children's book. not to mention, rex ray's rendition of bailey's world is unique and beautiful like little cut-ups of color and dreaming.
i love it!
Elizabeth's review intrigued me.
From the synopsis: "Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows. . . . Unfortunately, when Bailey’s awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Quite the contrary: “You’re a BOY!” Mother and Father tell Bailey. “You shouldn’t be thinking about dresses at all.”"
From the synopsis: "Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows. . . . Unfortunately, when Bailey’s awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Quite the contrary: “You’re a BOY!” Mother and Father tell Bailey. “You shouldn’t be thinking about dresses at all.”"
My only wish is that the ending was better. It kept my three-year-old's attention and he as much of a booknut as he could be. The descriptive language had my mouth watering over the dresses, and I don't even like to wear dresses. The sense of weird is just right: switching back and forth from knowing you're a girl, duh, and being told you're a boy by everyone, with just as much, "duh!" Well done!
Children start out as gender fluid and then get taught about the limitations they are required to live within by society by books, shows, and songs.
This book is pretty radical in that it teaches the parents that read it that maybe gender fluidity isn't a bad thing.
If you like this book you should like My Princess Boy, William's Doll, and especially Goblinheart.
This book is pretty radical in that it teaches the parents that read it that maybe gender fluidity isn't a bad thing.
If you like this book you should like My Princess Boy, William's Doll, and especially Goblinheart.
This is one of those rare instances when I really wish the rating system went beyond 5. You can get an A+ at school...so I give this a 5+
It's nominated for a Lambda award & I do so hope it wins. There just isn't a book like it out there AND it is so well done. It's an important book for its uniqueness. And for the right families, it will be indispensable.
It's nominated for a Lambda award & I do so hope it wins. There just isn't a book like it out there AND it is so well done. It's an important book for its uniqueness. And for the right families, it will be indispensable.
Best book of 2008! This book makes a very controversial topic approachable and meaningful for kids. Beautifully written and illustrated. If parents and teachers can be bold enough to approach topics like this with children at an early age, in an appropriate way, it can help stop the spread of hate and discrimination in the world. So proud of you Marcus!
This is quite possibly the most interesting book I've read in a long time. 10,000 Dresses is the story of Bailey, a transgender boy who loves dresses. Bailey's family doesn't accept him. They say he can't like dresses because he's a boy. Bailey finds a friend that teaches him/her to make her/his own dresses.
genre: realistic fiction
copyright: 2008
genre: realistic fiction
copyright: 2008
Meh. I was really bothered by the family's cruelty towards the little boy. I don't like the idea of teaching kids that their families aren't there for them (although I know this is often reality for many people struggling with transgender issues). The illustrations weren't nearly as amazing as I thought they could have been, based on the premise.
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Marcus Ewert co-created the hit animated series, Piki & Poko: Adventures in StarLand, currently being shown on MTV’s LOGO channel. He is writing a memoir about his time with Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs. He lives in San Francisco.
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Feb 26, 2009 07:56pm