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A review by katykelly
The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
5.0
Sweetly personal, a rather beautiful family comedy, introduced Walliams as children's writer to the world
His most understated and natural-feeling, Walliams began his literary career (as writer for children) with one of my favourites. No silly visual jokes or lists, no talking to the audience, no overdone villains.
This is simply a story about a boy who is looking for a little colour and light in his life, after his mum has left. And he finds it in an unusual place, discovering his own self and strength along the way.
I've read this before, as an adult. This time, I listened to the author read this in the car, with my six year old. He took it quite seriously - we talked about clothes, and expressing yourself, about wearing what you like, about difference and tolerance. Quite deep topics for an Infant pupil.
It's really quite wonderfully written, Walliams isn't trying too hard, it feels like a personal story for him, and the family pain in the tale is evident and quite moving.
My son loved the football scenes but he was also listening very hard to the scenes at home, those in school. He was outraged at the treatment of Dennis, impressed with Dennis's best friend, and of course, loves Raj!
Would work well alongside Anne Fine's 'Bill's New Frock' in school topics during PSHE. Would also be a great class read with short chapters and a chatty tone.
Not as overtly funny as Walliams' later efforts, but one of his most poignant and better written efforts.
His most understated and natural-feeling, Walliams began his literary career (as writer for children) with one of my favourites. No silly visual jokes or lists, no talking to the audience, no overdone villains.
This is simply a story about a boy who is looking for a little colour and light in his life, after his mum has left. And he finds it in an unusual place, discovering his own self and strength along the way.
I've read this before, as an adult. This time, I listened to the author read this in the car, with my six year old. He took it quite seriously - we talked about clothes, and expressing yourself, about wearing what you like, about difference and tolerance. Quite deep topics for an Infant pupil.
It's really quite wonderfully written, Walliams isn't trying too hard, it feels like a personal story for him, and the family pain in the tale is evident and quite moving.
My son loved the football scenes but he was also listening very hard to the scenes at home, those in school. He was outraged at the treatment of Dennis, impressed with Dennis's best friend, and of course, loves Raj!
Would work well alongside Anne Fine's 'Bill's New Frock' in school topics during PSHE. Would also be a great class read with short chapters and a chatty tone.
Not as overtly funny as Walliams' later efforts, but one of his most poignant and better written efforts.