10,000 Dresses

“10,000 Dresses” is a fantastic story, with an even better main idea of if you are who you are and accept that to be true then you will be accepted. This is shown throughout the writing style of the author. For when the main character Baily talks about herself it is in the terms of she but when

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her family refers to her its in the terms of he, but at the end she makes a friend who refers to her as she. The constant change in pronoun was intriguing for me as a reader. It allowed me to see the story in a different perspective just with the change of pronoun. I also enjoyed the illustrations throughout this book for they enhanced the story and were very appropriate for this story. For all of the dresses that Baily dreamt about had varied angles within them. The illustrator was able to make the 2D dress somehow pop off of the page in a 3D way. This caused me as the reader to be fully engaged and want to know what would be on the next page. Each illustration pushed me, as a reader into turning the page just to find out what the next dress dreamed of would look like.

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Sexist family members make a dress-loving, female-identified kid pretty miserable. While I appreciated the message, somehow I didn't love the story. The ending -- where the older girl says the young protagonist is the best girl she knows -- really annoyed me. "Best" girl? I'm not a fan of the idea

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that someone needs to be the "best" or "better than" to have their identity affirmed.

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Bailey is a boy who dreams of beautiful dresses that she wants to wear. This unique story is aimed at acceptance of children who might be struggling with gender identity. Bailey's dress dreams are the same but feature a different dress each time (a dress made of flowers or another one made of

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crystals). Not everyone accepts that Bailey wants to be a girl and where dresses though. Illustrations are done in bright primary colors with sharp lines that make them stand out as if each item had been cut from magazines. The overall effect is fun, colorful, and vibrant. Third graders will more than likely be able to read this book to themselves, but younger children will need the book read to them. Words are simple, medium large, and in multiple colors. Kids who are struggling with their gender identity, especially boys who like girl things, will like this book. Highly Recommended.

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This is a story about Bailey who identifies as being female. Bailey’s family does not support her dream of wearing dresses because she was born a boy. At the end, Bailey finds a friend that accepts her choice. In my classroom, I would like to promote all types of multiculturalism including GLBT.

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This is an appropriate book that I could use to do so.

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I loved reading 10,000 Dresses. I enjoyed the book because of its relatable plot line and the visuals that were integrated throughout the text. The plot line is great for children with gender identity issues. Most of the time their parents will be more confused than they are, just as it is depicted

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in the book. Bailey continues to dream of dresses even through the negativity from her family. Her mom says, “You’re a boy. Boys don’t wear dresses.” This creates a sense of being true to yourself throughout the plot. Each negative interaction Bailey has with other people just motivates her to keep being herself. I also love the visuals in the text. Throughout the text, there are certain words that are highlighted in different colors. For example, “Lillies” is in green and “Honeysuckles” is in yellow. This makes the book more visually appealing and fun to read along with all the pictures. The overall theme I take away from this book is to celebrate who you are and to not be afraid to express yourself in the ways you want.

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“10,000 Dresses” is a fun book to read that helps open up children to the changing gender roles in society. I enjoyed this book very much, especially the illustrations. This story follows the life of a boy who loves to wear dresses. However, his family does not approve of him wearing dresses.

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The message of this story was finding and loving who you are. The illustrations are very colorful and portray how the boy feels inside in contrast to how he is “supposed” to feel. The author used the boy’s dreams and illustrations to show how the boy really felt and how he really wanted to be. Another way the author helped portray his message was by being realistic. Often in children’s book you find that they try to sugarcoat things and always have a happy ending. While this story did have a happy ending, the boy’s family never came around and accepted him wanting to be different. It ended on a happy note with the boy finding friends who accepted him but it also showed that even if people don’t support you, you still need to be who you are. The author also referred to the boy as she which was very eye opening and supported the theme. The last dress made of mirrors so others could “see” who he was really helped symbolize the meaning of this story.

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In my opinion, this was one of the most eye opening children’s books I have read thus far. First, the organization of the book was kid friendly and organized in a playful way. Each page represented a color and some of the words were written in that specific color. For example, the word rainbow

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was always written in rainbow colored font. This was used to represent how happy the little boy was with all his dresses and how each colored dress made him just as happy. Second, the main character, Bailey, is a boy, but the author always refers to Bailey as “she.” This may seem like a small aspect to some people, but this is what made the book so powerful to me. It really pushes the reader to think about tough topics like gender stereotypes and what defines gender. Bailey’s mom, dad and brother were always telling her that she is a boy and boys don’t wear dresses. Bailey didn’t let it affect her because she was still spinning around in her dresses in every illustration and admiring what each dress did for her. She admired their color, material and the way each dress made her feel. Most children look at dresses as just a way to play dress up, but the author made it clear that it was more than that for Bailey. It was a way for her to be herself even though others told her it wasn’t appropriate. The author structured the book with Bailey’s family judging her for wearing the dresses, but ends with Bailey meeting a little girl who also loves dresses. Bailey and the girl bond over the dresses and the girl tells Bailey she is the coolest girl she has every met. This was a successful way to end the story with a sort of happy ending for Bailey. The big idea of this story is to broaden perspectives on gender. It opens your eyes to what children go through when they are being told what they enjoy is wrong of them. Bailey was so happy with her dresses yet everyone still told her is wasn’t appropriate. It teaches you that gender doesn’t have to be so one tracked.

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I also completely loved this book. This book hits very close to home for me, and so I felt very strongly about the message. One of the main reasons I loved this book was because of the pronoun use. When the main character is referring to herself, she uses female pronouns. Whenever an outside

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character refers to the main character, they refer to him with male pronouns. I felt like this was very accurate and will connect well with students who identify as transgender. This may confuse other students, so it is important for the teacher or guardian who is overseeing the child reading this to help them navigate the pronouns.
Another reason why I loved this book is because of the illustrations. The main character is portrayed very androgynously, allowing the reader to be more open to the idea of the story rather than being stuck on "that's a boy, not a girl!"
The main idea of this book is to follow your heart because there will always be someone there to back you up and support you.

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Bailey wants to make beautiful dresses - “dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows.” But Bailey’s family is sure she shouldn’t. Her mom asks "What are you talking about?" her dad gets angry and tells her "Don't ever mention dresses again." Her

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brother threatens "That's gross.... Get out of here before I kick you." But Bailey doesn’t feel like a boy. She feels like a girl and she has a creative vision (ten thousand visions, really) to express. No matter how many times she hears “You shouldn’t be thinking about dresses at all.” or "You're a boy." Boys don't wear dresses !...that’s that!” Bailey still dreams about what she wants. It’s bad enough that no one understands her and that people seem so upset, but Bailey can’t even fully escape into the fantasy of fashion and beauty she dreams of because she doesn’t know how to sew. Then Bailey makes a friend, an older neighbor girl named Laurel who has a knack for making things and is looking for ideas. Together they embark on the first dress and into a world of collaboration and affirmation for Bailey. You get the sense that this one victory isn’t going to fix everything but that Bailey gains some control and self-expression and that will help her thrive.

The author of 10,000 DressesMarcus Ewert, knows how much need there is for a story to help kids who don't fit gender norms. As a teenager he felt isolated (although he did have RuPaul for a pen pal!) and when he left home he threw himself headlong into the world of gay cultural icons. Two of his boyfriends were William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, he graced the cover of Pansy Division albums and he starred in films by directors Gus Van Sant and Sadie Benning. In an interview with EdgeBoston Ewert talks about how self-protective he was when young:

“Or at least I honestly don’t think I would have survived outside of my bubble, though--I think I would have killed myself. As it was, by the time I hit puberty, I had really acute social anxiety. I was deathly afraid of other teenagers. Just going to the mall was agonizing. I was so sure that roving bands of teens would see me, spot my gayness, and come attack me. This never happened to me--I was never even jeered at--but I lived in mortal fear of it all the same.”

As librarians I think it is important that we be aware how much impact the inclusion of a single book within our collections can have for a parent or child like this who acutely needs to see themselves reflected in the external world. This is the first picture book with a transgender protagonist. Although this isn’t perfect (some of the cut paper art is a bit too stiff and flat, with expressions that change little from page to page) it is overall a nicely done fairy tale about self-acceptance and the power of creativity to elevate and save. In the same interview Ewart says:

“So, this book is equally about what happens when you have these beautiful dreams, or visions, or ideas/ideals, and the people around you absolutely don’t want to hear about it. Which--you know--happens a lot in the real world. And then, on the flipside, the story shows what happens when you finally do find someone who’s inspired by you, how wonderful that is.”

It would be a mistake to think that this book would appeal only to a small segment of the population. On the contrary, most kids in the picture book audience age range are fascinated by gender and gender roles. They are likely going to be exposed to gender binaries, homophobia and transphobia before they exit grade school, but there is little likelihood that they will come across many books to counter the prevailing attitudes. As Angie Manfredi writes in the journal Young Adult Library Services: “inclusion of titles with LGBTQ content allows librarians to familiarize students of any sexual orientation with the fact that the library has a large selection of titles that can speak directly to their experiences.” Any public library would do well to include 10,000 Dresses as it presents an opportunity for discussion for those who seek one. The urge to create and the feeling of being misunderstood are both things any child can relate to. And for the parent or child who comes to the library specifically looking for a work like this it is a comfort to know that there is now a book to give them.

Ewert, Marcus. 10,000 Dresses. Illus. Rex Ray. New York: Seven Stories Press, 2008. Print.

Melloy, Kilian. “Marcus Ewert Talks Trans-kid Book: ’10,000 Dresses’ Breaks New Ground.” EdgeBoston.. EDGE Publications Inc., Oct. 20 2008. Web. Mar 21 2010.

Manfredi, Angie. "Accept the Universal Freak Show." Young Adult Library Services. 7. 4 (2009): 26-31. Print.

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“10,000 Dresses” by Marcus Ewert is a sad story about a little boy who likes to wear dresses, but is constantly denied from his family. He fantasizes about making beautiful dresses, but faces the same disapproving words from his family: “You’re a boy, boys don’t wear dresses.” Although

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I felt that this was a very sad story, I think that the author demonstrated it in a very unique way. First, the character is illustrated as a short haired, blonde child that could be depicted as a boy or a girl. I believe this relates to the fact that the child himself feels as if he should be a girl. This is demonstrated further, as the author uses another unique strategy to portray the child’s feelings. The character’s name is “Bailey,” which could be a boy or girl name as well, and the author constantly refers to Bailey as a “she” although he is a boy. The overall theme of this book was the sadness that a child can face when parents are not supportive of children that face confusion about gender identity.

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YOUNG TRANSGENDERED BOY, BAILY, FEELS THAT HE IS A GIRL AND DREAMS OF BEAUTIFUL DRESSES. BAILY TRIES TO TELL HER FAMILY BUT THEY PUSH HER AWAY AND ARE MEAN TO HER SAYING SHE IS A BOY. FINALLY BAILY FINDS A FRIEND THAT ACCEPTS HER. THIS IS A BIG BOOK FOR CHILDREN AS IT DEALS WITH A VERY

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CONTREVERSIAL ISSUE. I ENJOYED IT AND THE ART WAS STUNNING.

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I think the book 10,000 Dresses was a very interesting book that questions traditional gender roles. I enjoy that some of the words were written in different colored fonts. For example, the word “crystals” was written in blue and the word “rainbow” was written in all the colors of the

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rainbow. Also, I really enjoyed the way the author used the pronoun “she” even though Bailey is a boy throughout the entirety of the book. I think this was an interesting choice on behalf of the author to explain to the reader the feelings of the main character. The main idea of this book is that people will not always accept who your truly are but it is important to stay true to yourself.

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10,000 Dresses. By Marcus Ewert. Illustrated by Rex Ray. Seven Stories Press. 2008. 28 pages. $14.95 hbk. 978-1583228500. Ages 5-9.

Every night, Bailey dreams up a new, beautiful dress she longs to wear – but when she asks her family members for help making them, all they tell her is that she is a

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boy and shouldn’t be thinking about dresses. Luckily she finds a friend in Laurel, who lives down the street: together they make two beautiful dresses out of mirrors, with the promise of more to come. The ultimate message of friendship and acceptance is sweet, and Ray’s solid, un-lined illustrations are gently appealing, but Bailey’s unaccepting family is a heartrending hurdle (which Ray emphasizes by depicting her family members from the back and at child eye-level, to demonstrate visually their distance and disjunction). The audience of children whose parents would choose to read them this book might not yet have the emotional maturity to digest the message that your family doesn’t always accept you for who you are. Nonetheless, parents and guardians of children who are or know someone who is transgender or gender-nonconforming might enjoy sharing this book with their child, as long as they are prepared for frank discussion of the serious and very real issues the book raises. Though this is not lighthearted reading, it is text that highlights the importance of honesty and thoughtfulness in discussions with children – as well as the importance of supporting the children in your life as they begin shaping their own sense of identity.

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After reading “10,000 Dresses” by Marcus Ewert, I have mixed feelings. I like how the book is written about a transgender child. I loved Bailey, who is the main character. Bailey is a girl who is trapped in a boy’s body. She doesn’t feel like a boy, she only looks like one. I love Bailey

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because she is believable. I know there are other children who can relate to Bailey, children who are transgender. Bailey doesn’t understand why she doesn’t feel like a boy, she just knows that she isn’t one. “‘But… I don’t feel like a boy,’ Bailey said.” The reason why I don’t like the book is because there is conflict in the story that is never solved. In the story Bailey’s mother, father, and brother all tell her that she’s a boy and that’s that. Bailey’s mother says to her, “‘Well, you are one, Bailey, and that’s that! Now go away… and don’t mention dresses to me again!’” Bailey goes to her room, clearly heartbroken. When Bailey asks her dad if he can grow her a dress made of flowers her father says, “‘Bailey, what are you talking about? You’re a boy. Boys don’t wear dresses!’” When Bailey told her brother about a dress she dreamed of, he called her gross and told her to get away. “But nothing. Get out of here, before I kick you!” The book ends with Bailey meeting a new friend and they begin to make dresses together. I think it’s great that Bailey finally gets a dress, but the conflict within the family is never solved. The big idea of this book is to show that there are some “boys” who do not feel like boys on the inside.

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I enjoyed the way that this book looks at loving everyone and takes a look at what it means to be transgender.

The story of Bailey, a transgender child, leaves a strong impact. It is often sad but hopeful in the end. Bailey, born a boy, identifies as a girl and is not accepted by her family. At the end of the story, she finds acceptance and an ally in a neighbor. Books such as this must be incorporated into

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elementary curriculum. They can help children learn to be accepting of others. This book also illustrates the importance of being an ally to the LGBT community, particularly to LGBT youth.

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I was honestly obsessed with this book, and with this book, I felt like this author was super sneaky with the pronouns that they were using for the main character. The author would start out by saying she, and then transitioned into he, and then ended with she for each incident. I feel as if this

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story would model to students that it is totally okay to be different, and to be comfortable with the pronouns that they would want others to call them. I also liked that in the end, she found someone who would accept her for her. I also like how the dress was made out of mirrors to show everyone to be comfortable with who they are, and that what they wear should reflect that.

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Bailey is a young transgender girl. Bailey dreams every night of beautiful dresses. When she wakes up she asks her mother, father, and brother, to help her get a dress. Her family becomes angry and remind her that she is a boy and should not be thinking about dresses. Bailey becomes very

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discouraged. She meets a nice lady across the street who is more accepting of who she is. This older lady makes dresses. Bailey shares her dress ideas with her and together they create a dress made of mirrors.

This book hits on a major problem in our society. Many students are members of the LGBT community and it is important to include texts that they can relate to. Not only is it important for the students members of the LGBT community but other students as well. Through texts such as this, all students can see what the LGBT community looks like. This text will help teach acceptance and compassion.

Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Primary Readers

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In my opinion, this is a perfect book to use with elementary aged children to address the unfamiliar topic of transgender. There are many reasons why I love this book. The language is very descriptive and works well with the meaning of the story. It even evokes an emotional response from the

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reader. The writing is very engaging, flows nicely, and is organized. There is a good amount of writing per page, accompanied by illustrations, which is perfect for young readers. I really enjoy the main character, Bailey, in this story. Baily is a well-developed character who is biologically a boy, but identifies more as a girl. I enjoy this character because this concept does not fit into a child’s understanding of what it means to be a boy or girl. It challenges a child’s opinion on gender and has them think about how a boy may want to be perceived as a girl. Certain students who perceive themselves as a different gender may identify with Bailey and find comfort that other people in the world feel this way. The plot is very enjoyable in my opinion. Bailey dreams about wearing magical dresses, but his parents do not support these dreams. His mother and father exclaim, “You’re a BOY! You shouldn’t be thinking about dresses at all.” Fortunately, Bailey becomes friends with a girl who is inspired by Bailey’s imagination and courage. The two begin making dresses together and Bailey can finally express his true self. I really enjoy this plot because it is a new and unfamiliar concept for young readers. It demonstrates the importance of being proud of who you are. I like that this story can comfort students who relate to Bailey and provide new insights for students who are unfamiliar with this topic of transgender. I also enjoy the gorgeous illustrations. Beautiful pictures spread across the pages and really enhance the story. The illustrations are appropriate for the mood of the story. This book pushes readers to address issues around gender such as gender roles, gender stereotypes, and transgender. These new concepts help readers think about what they think it means to be a boy or girl. The big idea of the story is that you should not be afraid to become the person you feel you are inside. It also teaches children to be supportive of those who make life decisions that are different from their own.

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Sexist family members make a dress-loving, female-identified kid pretty miserable. While I appreciated the message, somehow I didn't love the story. The ending -- where the older girl says the young protagonist is the best girl she knows -- really annoyed me. "Best" girl? I'm not a fan of the idea

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that someone needs to be the "best" or "better than" to have their identity affirmed. Or that presenting gender by wearing and making dresses makes you the "best" girl.

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