The Boy in the Dress

November 30, 2009
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.

December 1, 2009
Gr 6-8-The protagonist in this offbeat story is Dennis, a 12-year-old boy whose eclectic interests range from football (soccer) to fashion. He's mocked for his purchase of "Vogue" magazine but he just can't resist poring over the photo shoots, enamored with the color, cut, and style of women's dresses. Dennis meets up with Lisa, the school hottie, who is two years older and also a fashion aficionado. She plays dress up with Dennis and convinces him to come to school as "Denise," a French exchange student. Hilarity ensues as soccer-star Dennis, outfitted in an orange sequined sheath, complete with wig and makeup, attempts to pull off the ruse. This quirky comedy also has poignant moments between Dennis and his dad and brother. It's a quick read and Blake's stylistic line illustrations are the icing on the cake. All that being said, it's difficult to predict an audience for this book. Younger students may be turned off by the Briticisms, and it's a bit too juvenile for older readers."Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2009
Grades 4-7 Dennis is a bit surprisedbut not terribly nonplussedto discover that he enjoys wearing dresses. The 12-year-old does, however, realize this is not the kind of revelation he wants to share with his truck-driving dad, his older brother, or his mates on the school football team, where he is a star player. But these things have a way of getting out, and soon enough Dennis finds himself both exposed and expelled. Is this the end? Well, no, its not, and in his first novel for young readers, Walliamsa celebrated English comedianhas written a witty, high-spirited and, well, sensible story about cross-dressing and other real-life issues. Yes, things may be resolved a bit too easily and some American readers may scratch their heads over the profusion of Briticisms and cultural references, but context and Blakes inspired illustrations help explain most of them. Besides, readers will likely be having far too good a time to much care.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Dennis's life morphs from dreary to exhilarating after donning a sequined dress at new friend Lisa's urging. As "Denise" he relishes "the giggles, the glitter, the glamorous make-up" that girls experience. But his cross-dressing--depicted with gentle humor in Blake's loose-handed art--leads to expulsion from school and the soccer team. Readers will cheer for Walliams's sympathetic hero and won't mind the too-perfect ending.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)