Kindle Price: $7.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

David Walliams
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Boy in the Dress: Now a Major Musical Kindle Edition

by David Walliams (Author), Quentin Blake (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
See all formats and editions

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.

David Walliams's book 'The World’s Worst Monsters' was a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-07-17.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    9 years and up
  2. Part of series
    David Walliams
  3. Print length
    241 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Publisher
    HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
  6. Publication date
    June 25, 2009
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0007279036
  12. See all details
Next page
Next 3 for you in this series See full series
Total Price: $23.97
By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of Use
More like The Boy in the Dress: Now a Major Musical
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  1. Billionaire Boy
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  3. Ratburger
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  4. Mr Stink
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  5. Awful Auntie
    Paperback
    $16.96
  7. Demon Dentist
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  8. The World’s Worst Children
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  9. The Midnight Gang
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  10. The World’s Worst Children 2
    Kindle Edition
    $19.99
  11. Grandpa's Great Escape
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  13. There’s a Snake in my School!
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  15. Dabbang dadi
    Paperback
    $25.24
  17. Bad Dad
    Kindle Edition
    $10.49
  19. The World’s Worst Teachers
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  20. The Terrific Ten
    Paperback
    $74.99
  21. Shriman Badbu
    Paperback
    $10.00
  22. The Ice Monster
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  24. The World’s Worst Parents
    Kindle Edition
    $7.99
  27. Fing
    Paperback
    $13.91
  28. Code Name Bananas
    Kindle Edition
    $9.99
  30. David Walliams    43 book series
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Dennis is a bit surprised—but not terribly nonplussed—to 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, it’s not, and in his first novel for young readers, Walliams—a celebrated English comedian—has 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 Blake’s inspired illustrations help explain most of them. Besides, readers will likely be having far too good a time to much care. Grades 4-7. --Michael Cart

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002RTINA6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks; UK Edition (June 25, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 25, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8788 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 241 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
David Walliams

David Walliams

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

David Walliams is a literary phenomenon whose books have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide and have been translated into fifty-five languages.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
7,317 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Russell J. Sanders
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
I knew David Walliams’s work as a comedian/actor from the British TV series Little Britain, where he is very funny indeed. So when I saw he was also an author, I ordered his first book The Boy in the Dress, a book written for children. The protagonist is a 12 year old boy who does, eventually, wind up in a dress in public. The story is inventive and children will like the unexpected twists and turns. Billed as “hilarious,” I was disappointed. Although there were times—many times—I smiled, I never laughed out loud, and that’s what “hilarious” means to me. I also expected it to be some sort of children’s introduction to transgender issues. But it is not. The boy wears the dress just because he wants to, not because he has some deep-seated desire to be a girl. This is not to say the book is without worth. It is a witty tale of acceptance, tolerance, and forgiveness. Children will be entertained, and parents who read the book to them will be both entertained and instructed. And look for the narrator’s mangling of the show title Little Britain. It is funny and shows Walliams’s unique sense of humor.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
T. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars A highly entertaining and wonderfully written book for kids about acceptance and uniqueness
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is so wonderful. My 6 year old and 8 year old enjoyed it and I loved the message about acceptance in it. David Walliams writes in a way that is so beautifully entertaining and touching - I cried at the end of this book (my kids didn't, they simply enjoyed the story).
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Salina Breeze
4.0 out of 5 stars Gently Delightful - Like the Hem of a Dress in a Summer Breeze
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great little story! I bought the book because I saw that Aldi opted to not sell it because of its controversy. Isn't that always a sign of a good read?? :-)
Certainly, there are transgender themes, but I saw nothing in terms of the phobic accusations of child abuse or sexualizing children. The story follows a boy who lives with his brother and divorced dad. He likes fashion, but is afraid to speak up about it. A fashionista girl at school takes him on as her fashion model, dressing him in various outfits until they dare to take him to school dressed that way. As with any good story, it goes well for a while, then very badly, then there is a redemption in which he is accepted for who he is. So, the themes are fairly harmless and geared more toward simply accepting people for who they are.

The writing itself is easy and playfully written. The author interjects phrasing as the story-teller that brings amusing smiles throughout. I loved it until the resolving chapters, where I felt he went a bit overboard with a few of the supporting characters and missed an opportunity to include something with Dennis' mom, even if it was as simple as a letter or picture.
17 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Clare Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars We loved this book as it was so surprising and accessible ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
We loved this book as it was so surprising and accessible for both my boys ( aged 9 and 11). Funny yet sensitive and current, just a great story with a modern twist
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
LMG
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Fun Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
My daughter really enjoyed this book. It is a fairly quick read, but she found it very entertaining.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jeanne
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful funny, serious , representation of a struggle many children face.
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2015
Verified Purchase
This book is a wonderful funny-sweet representation of a child trying to find his comfort zone in an opiniated stupid world. David Walliams puts a comical twist on a difficult subject, and gently changes prejudices. Long may he continue giving his readers that warm fuzzy feeling.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Karl R. Schuck
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Times Re-captured
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
A Dad who must learn to come back out of his shell and re-learn to love his children, One son who is crushed and bitter, another who longs for the absent Mother and relives the happy times thru memories of a special dress Mom wore. And lots of school friends who learn lots of things. Oh, yes. Did I mention football (soccer)?
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Samuel Rafael
4.0 out of 5 stars A child's fantasy come true
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2010
Verified Purchase
This is a book that's not just for kids. A child's fantasy come true and a worthwhile read for any age. However, I must point out that there are a couple of annoying but minor technical glitches for Kindle, text-to-speech listeners that one needs to skip over. I think these are caused by a illustrations that were scanned as text. Not a deal breaker though.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars My Kid Loves This Book..
Reviewed in India on May 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
He liked the character Dennis so much...
Customer image
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars My Kid Loves This Book..
Reviewed in India on May 19, 2024
He liked the character Dennis so much...
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Report
Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars LIBRO
Reviewed in Spain on November 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Buen estado del libro. Recibido con rapidez ya que era para el instituto
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book was hilarious and so well- written. It handled a difficult topic really well and was so accessible for my grade 5 class, they loved it!
Report
Robert Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars I Have My Mojo Back Now
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
I had done twenty two years of teaching English in High Schools and FE colleges cross Yorkshire when I came to this book and to be blunt, had lost my Mojo when it comes to reading for fun. Seriously, reading was a chore up until I read this book and my joy for reading has returned once again, as well as my desire to write my own story, like this one, about a boy who loses his family and then reunites them all.

But to the boy in the dress and all that that is about.

I approached it like we all do. What was his first book? Was it any good? A fan of Dahl, especially when reading to my 7 and 6 year olds, who are now mid to late twenties and ancient like their Dad, is it worth my effort? Read some Amazon reviews, I thought. Some were positive. Others were concerned with fat jokes and the likes. I am 23 stone so thought stuff it, give it a go and buy this and the Buck House one.

I began this one first, for obvious reasons and had 80 pages done very quickly. It is a great and an easy read. The characters are equally good too, from Dennis who becomes Denise, to Hawtrey, who reminded me of me when at school, to the French teacher who wails and the Dad who puts the teacher in his place - memories of my Dad when a teacher who ran in the Olympics threatened my elder brother and Dad waded in etc - all of them are brilliant little characters. But for me, the one we call Raj, now that is a creation of genius. Where did Mr. Walliams get him from? Arkwright but in a Sikh? So funny, especially with the big reveal at the end with Mr. Hawtrey. That was unexpected, but had me laughing and coughing in glee. I am supposed to be recovering from this virus, but the laughing hurt.

I am not going to tell the story. I am sure you all know it by now, but safe to say that I have now begun reading the Buck House one and am loving reading all over again. For that, I thank Mr. Walliams and his ability to spin a yarn about a lonely young lad who misses his Mum, who is in love with the girl of his dreams and finds himself with her, if only in a way he could never expect.

Yes, I looked for the fat jokes, but Mac only reminded me of a lad I used to teach, who was foulsome and horrid, so Mac was a blessing in a disguise. Dad was me, in a nutshell. Mess with my kid and you get told what I think. Lisa made me remember several thirteen year olds who wanted to be nineteen too quickly and Dennis just reminded me of that kid in every school who you see and try to help, because they drop below the radar of brilliance and/or excellence.

The thing I loved though, was the way he ended this one. Two brothers, arms in arms, one protecting the other, in brotherly love as they walk into an uncertain future of pure French Joan D'Arc; now that is pure class.

Buy it. Read it. Devour it. I do hope there is a film of this somewhere, because the scene with the French teacher wailing in the corridor is one I have to see. So darn funny.

A great book that has me reading again. Who knows, I might even be back in the classroom in September because of this. Thank you, David Walliams. Truly appreciated.
10 people found this helpful
 Report
LIU H.
3.0 out of 5 stars pas vraiment en très bon état, mais acceptable
Reviewed in France on April 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
Papiers jaunit, pas vraiment dans un très bon état, mais pas pire que les livres dans une bibliothèque
Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report