emmamadden12's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jenpa87's review against another edition
4.0
I think this book has greater appeal to me than any other Walliams book that I have read to my children simply because, in amongst the silliness, there is a championing of diversity and a rather charming tale of single parent family life and unlikely friendship.
fionnious's review against another edition
5.0
absolutely unreal. so happy this book is so popular amongst kids. Deffo dissertation material.
fnnbnjmnks's review against another edition
5.0
absolutely unreal. so happy this book is so popular amongst kids. Deffo dissertation material.
grimondgalgmod's review against another edition
2.0
Hm. Not quite what I was expecting. Loved the bits where Dennis has to hide a copy of Vogue under his mattress and where Lisa encourages him to try the dress on, but Walliams goes out of his way multiple times to explain that Dennis is not gay and this is just dressing up. Also there's enough casual racism and lookism here to fill a Roald Dahl book so getting Quentin Blake to illustrate this just feels like overkill haha
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
the sweet, fable-like story of young dennis, who loves soccer and wearing dresses. i like the way walliams asks the question: what exactly is wrong or offensive about men wearing dresses? and then answers it: nothing.
there are some hilarious asides from the narrator, and the quentin blake illustrations had me in raptures.
there are some hilarious asides from the narrator, and the quentin blake illustrations had me in raptures.
jarichan's review against another edition
4.0
Dennis mag Fussball und Kleider. Mädchenkleider. Das geht natürlich gar nicht. Oder?!
David Walliams bricht mit diesem Buch eine Lanze für alle, die anders sind. Dennis steht stellvertretend für alle Kinder/Jugendlichen/Erwachsenen, die nicht der Norm entsprechen und deshalb leiden müssen. Was ist so schlimm daran, dass Dennis sich gerne Mädchenkleidung anzieht?
Nichts, findet der Autor, und erzählt uns deshalb diese Geschichte, die einfach nur ans Herz geht. Es ist ein wichtiger Beitrag dazu, andere Menschen so zu akzeptieren, wie sie sind. Grenzen zu durchbrechen, neugierig zu bleiben, Schranken abzubauen.
Vor allem die Verbindung von Fussball (traditionell männlich) und Kleidern (traditionell weiblich), hat mir sehr gefallen. So zeigt der Autor, dass nicht alles in Kategorien verstaut werden muss. Dass manches auch gut kombiniert werden kann, wie eben ein Kicker im Kleid.
Meines Erachtens ein Buch, das in jede Schulbibliothek gehört und das von den Lehrern nicht ignoriert werden sollte. David Walliams schreibt tolle Kinderbücher und dieses hier ist keine Ausnahme.
David Walliams bricht mit diesem Buch eine Lanze für alle, die anders sind. Dennis steht stellvertretend für alle Kinder/Jugendlichen/Erwachsenen, die nicht der Norm entsprechen und deshalb leiden müssen. Was ist so schlimm daran, dass Dennis sich gerne Mädchenkleidung anzieht?
Nichts, findet der Autor, und erzählt uns deshalb diese Geschichte, die einfach nur ans Herz geht. Es ist ein wichtiger Beitrag dazu, andere Menschen so zu akzeptieren, wie sie sind. Grenzen zu durchbrechen, neugierig zu bleiben, Schranken abzubauen.
Vor allem die Verbindung von Fussball (traditionell männlich) und Kleidern (traditionell weiblich), hat mir sehr gefallen. So zeigt der Autor, dass nicht alles in Kategorien verstaut werden muss. Dass manches auch gut kombiniert werden kann, wie eben ein Kicker im Kleid.
Meines Erachtens ein Buch, das in jede Schulbibliothek gehört und das von den Lehrern nicht ignoriert werden sollte. David Walliams schreibt tolle Kinderbücher und dieses hier ist keine Ausnahme.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
(Read this book in Dutch, just in case of names that were changed.)
I must say I honestly finally found a book that I loved from this author. You can clearly see this is a first book, it misses the annoying exaggeration, weird word use and other things. In fact it was quite a normal book, and I really enjoyed it.
I just wish he would have kept this style of writing instead of what he does now.
Lol at the no-cursing in a children's book part. I am sorry, not allowed? I see it happen so often and I would rather have someone curse then see this %$**@%% at times.
I really liked the ending part where everyone dressed up in dresses. And that added image, I was just laughing so hard.
And while the dad was mostly a prick throughout the book (though I could see he did his best to care for his kids (he just didn't know how to it seemed)), something happened near the end I started to love the dad.
And we also have a bad guy, namely Mr. Hawtrey. Gosh I really disliked that guy. I don't see in why he would work at a school, he clearly hates kids a whole lot.
All in all I would recommend this book, this was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot.
Oh and still a big plus to the wonderful illustrations. I really like those. Quentin Blake is wonderful!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I must say I honestly finally found a book that I loved from this author. You can clearly see this is a first book, it misses the annoying exaggeration, weird word use and other things. In fact it was quite a normal book, and I really enjoyed it.
I just wish he would have kept this style of writing instead of what he does now.
Lol at the no-cursing in a children's book part. I am sorry, not allowed? I see it happen so often and I would rather have someone curse then see this %$**@%% at times.
I really liked the ending part where everyone dressed up in dresses. And that added image, I was just laughing so hard.
And while the dad was mostly a prick throughout the book (though I could see he did his best to care for his kids (he just didn't know how to it seemed)), something happened near the end I started to love the dad.
And we also have a bad guy, namely Mr. Hawtrey. Gosh I really disliked that guy. I don't see in why he would work at a school, he clearly hates kids a whole lot.
All in all I would recommend this book, this was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot.
Oh and still a big plus to the wonderful illustrations. I really like those. Quentin Blake is wonderful!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
hestu_korok's review against another edition
5.0
Started this just to get me reading again and ended up really enjoying it. I thought it was really funny, heartwarming and just feel good. So, would definitely, recommend it to anyone interested in it.
violetmoon's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating 4.5/5
A interesting debut novel from the multi-talented David Walliams.
The Story was funny, and sad and heartfelt and wholly enjoyable. But there were aspects of the book that niggled at me, but I could rightly decide why nor even now could I pinpoint what they were. But one thing that on occasion that did annoy me was the writing style. At times I thought some bits felt forced or elements of the writing seemed pointless and didn't fit with the narrative.
I got the impression David was trying to be funny at times when he (The Storyteller/Narrator) interrupted the narrative but it just annoyed me. But you've got to remember this is a book for kids not adults, and kids might enjoy and find the interruptions of the storyteller amusing. And in some books like in A Series of Unfortunate Events By Lemony Snicket the interruptions by the storyteller can also be annoying but usually are some way part of the story, but unfortunately that wasn't the case here. It was used as a way to make the book in my opinion that little bit funnier. But to me it just was a tad irritating. In the end it is still part of his writing style and if he continues to use it, it could be refined and improved upon in his later books, and those interruptions might become better suited to the stories and the storyteller might be more amusing and the attempts at humor I might not find so forced..
But in the end as I said this is a kids book, I am not a kid but that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy it. But I believe Kids will probably enjoy it more, but I appreciated the little jokes David slipped in for older readers - A not so subtle reference to Little Britain in particular was amusing.
I really enjoyed reading The Boy in The Dress, it was a fun quick read and a brilliant children's book, but obviously can be read by people of all ages.
David Walliams has lots of potential as a writer and his writing and storytelling I feel will greatly improve with each book he writes. But as this was the first he published, there are some little points may annoy certain readers. But kids will in my pinion mostly enjoy the book immensely.
I can't wait to read more books by David Walliams to see how his stories and style evolve.
A interesting debut novel from the multi-talented David Walliams.
The Story was funny, and sad and heartfelt and wholly enjoyable. But there were aspects of the book that niggled at me, but I could rightly decide why nor even now could I pinpoint what they were. But one thing that on occasion that did annoy me was the writing style. At times I thought some bits felt forced or elements of the writing seemed pointless and didn't fit with the narrative.
I got the impression David was trying to be funny at times when he (The Storyteller/Narrator) interrupted the narrative but it just annoyed me. But you've got to remember this is a book for kids not adults, and kids might enjoy and find the interruptions of the storyteller amusing. And in some books like in A Series of Unfortunate Events By Lemony Snicket the interruptions by the storyteller can also be annoying but usually are some way part of the story, but unfortunately that wasn't the case here. It was used as a way to make the book in my opinion that little bit funnier. But to me it just was a tad irritating. In the end it is still part of his writing style and if he continues to use it, it could be refined and improved upon in his later books, and those interruptions might become better suited to the stories and the storyteller might be more amusing and the attempts at humor I might not find so forced..
But in the end as I said this is a kids book, I am not a kid but that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy it. But I believe Kids will probably enjoy it more, but I appreciated the little jokes David slipped in for older readers - A not so subtle reference to Little Britain in particular was amusing.
I really enjoyed reading The Boy in The Dress, it was a fun quick read and a brilliant children's book, but obviously can be read by people of all ages.
David Walliams has lots of potential as a writer and his writing and storytelling I feel will greatly improve with each book he writes. But as this was the first he published, there are some little points may annoy certain readers. But kids will in my pinion mostly enjoy the book immensely.
I can't wait to read more books by David Walliams to see how his stories and style evolve.