The Boy in the Dress
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4.2 • 5 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
The sparkling debut children’s novel from David Walliams, number one bestseller and fastest growing children’s author in the country.
Illustrated by Quentin Blake and brilliantly written by David Walliams, The Boy in the Dress is full of the sharp humour and vivid characters you would expect from the co-creator and co-star of Little Britain.
It is also a timeless and hilarious fable about what happens when an ordinary boy does something extraordinary – and the way that people, even the petty and cruel, can surprise you in the end. Quentin's illustrious black and white drawings are interspersed throughout, forming a perfect accompaniment to this funny and touching story.
Reviews
‘[Walliams’ books] are brilliantly, beautifully and seemingly effortlessly written … Mr Dahl finally has a worthy successor’ Telegraph
‘Walliams understands something crucial about children and stories’ Metro
“A great comic tale… Walliams is a natural wit” – Evening Standard
"Well written, funny, touching" – Observer
"A passionate celebration of individuality" – Telegraph
"Believable characters and a story that's original and intriguing” ***** – Heat
“Charming, funny” – The Times
“Has a lovely, Dahlian fluency to it” – Time Out
About the author
David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and has become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel, The Boy in the Dress (2008), Walliams has seen unprecedented growth with global sales exceeding 45 million copies, and his books translated into 55 languages. Collectively across his titles, David has celebrated 70 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the overall book charts and more than 200 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the Children’s charts – an achievement no other children’s writer has reached.
Quentin Blake taught at the Royal College of Art, where he was Head of the Illustration Department before becoming a full time illustrator. He has collaborated with writers such as Russell Hoban, John Yeoman, and most famously Roald Dahl. He has also illustrated classic books for adults and created much-loved characters of his own such as Mr Magnolia and Mrs Armitage.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Actor and Little Britain cocreator Walliams debuts with the charming, Billy Elliot-esque coming-of-age story of 12-year-old Dennis, who lives with his father and older brother in a dull British town whose "iny differences... only really pointed out the sameness of everything." Still despondent two years after his mother walked out, Dennis is chastised for his interest in fashion, but continues to secretly read Vogue ("He could lose himself in the pages for hours. The glamour. The beauty. The perfection") and admire people's differences. When Dennis befriends Lisa, "the most beautiful girl in the school" (and his crush), they bond over their shared passion and begin to play dressup. The stakes are raised when Lisa challenges him to attend school for a day dressed as a female foreign exchange student. This is a prototypical tale about the joys and trials of nonconformity, told by a quirky and self-conscious narrator. Walliams has a talent for emotional honesty (be it in Dennis's sensitivity or his father's gruff remoteness), and Blake's distinctive illustrations capture the boy's thoughtful nature. Ages 9 up.
