The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes
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Book Reviews of The Hundred Dresses
Book Review: THE HUNDRED DRESSES: What is it about?
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I want to start with saying that this book is not about lying but the hazards of peer pressure and teasing. Wanda Pertoniski was different and because of this she suffered the indignities of being teased and ostracized from any real normal life. She was an easy target for the more popular and socially acceptable girls of her school. Wanda was quite and reserved, never really stood up for herself. One day she announced to all that heard that she had a hundred of the most beautiful dresses in her closet at home. The reality of it was that while she did have dresses in her closet they were not in actuality real. They were pictures that she had created. To take this as a lie is not properly correct.
THE HUNDRED DRESSES deals with more far reaching issues than that of lying. Yes, Wanda did claim that she had hundred dresses in her closet when the reality was that she only had the one dress that she wore every single day to school. What she said may not have been correct in the "I have hundred actual dresses in my closet" sense but the reality was that the dresses were actually pictures of dresses.
This book is about a young girl who had no friends and got teased on a regular basis by the same people that she looked to as friends. She tried so desperately to fit in, to become one of the "in crowd." But that failed miserably. What no one seemed to realize that beneath Wanda's awkwardness and differences stood a young girl who could be a good friend and confidant. Wanda didn't judge others for their differences but she, herself, was judged for what was perceived to be different.
The only problem that I had with Wanda, was not the fact that she lied about her dresses, that is small potatoes when put up against the relentless teasing and ostracism of her fellow students. What really irked me about Wanda was that she never really stood up for herself. All that she had to say was stop. If that didn't work she could of brought up her own differences in a joking manner. Instead she stood there and took the abuse. Wanda did not have a backbone and when things got too tough she and her family moved to a city where everyone was different and talked funny and no names were of that of the funny variety.
I found this book to be a good read for children of all ages. The only problem that I found with it that Peggy, Maddie, and Wanda never really got to settle their conflict. Sure they wrote letters to each other but that isn't as good as a face-to-face confrontation with Peggy and Maddie telling Wanda that their sorry for all the pain that they caused her, and Wanda forgiving. Letters are good but sometimes you can't find the right words to express what you are truly feeling.
Book Review: A good read for a young girl
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this when I was little and it had a serious impact on my life and the way I treated others. This is a short book meant for kids who are under 12 years old but it's equally powerful even for adults and it carries a strong message. I have met a few catty, shallow women and girls in my life (no names here) who should read this book. It has a very good lesson about kindness, not judging others and standing up for what is right.
The story is about a poor girl Wanda who only has one dress. All the other girls at school have lots of pretty dresses. One day Wanda claims she owns a hundred dresses and this sets the stage for lots of cruel taunting by a group of mean girls. They keep on teasing Wanda, until one day everyone discovers something about her that will change everyone's opinion forever!
I won't post any spoilers but I will say the story is a little sad but in a bittersweet sort of way. Though I was left wishing the ending had more closure, the message is still strong and I would not change the story. With any other ending I don't think the message would have been so powerful. I think kids will learn a great deal from this story, things like: Don't judge others on how they look or what they have. Be kind to people because you never know when they will be gone. Don't say anything to anyone that you may regret later. Above all, never underestemate people's talent or brains. This story is old but timeless!
For any girl or woman who has ever been a victim of fashion bullying, this is a great book. It's an even better book for someone who has bullied other women/girls over what they wear.
A funny thing: I recently left a copy of this book discreetly on the desk of a co-worker after she made a nasty comment to another woman (who was on a low income with kids to feed) regarding her 'ugly knockoff handbag' Funny thing is, this co-worker (who has money now but wasn't born in this country and had a poor family growing up) hasn't said a catty comment about anyone's wardrobe since! It's certainly given everyone's ears a rest because people at work had grown tired of her catty commentary. Hopefully, this book taught her a good lesson! It's bad enough little girls and teenagers have to be victims of this treatment, we as grown women should NOT tolerate it from each other! So, I urge others to do this too, if you happen to know some nasty girl/woman like this. It certainly made our place of work much happier!
Book Review: Wonderful and powerful writing, timeless message
Summary: 5 Stars
This story is about Maddie, a poor girl who happens to be friends with Peggy, the most popular girl in school. Maddie is very insecure because of her poverty. When her friend Peggy begins teasing Wanda, a new girl with a funny last name who always wears the same dress to school, Maddie joins in. She knows it's wrong, but Maddie is too afraid of losing Peggy's friendship and having the girls turn on her. Then one day, the class learns that those hundred dresses Wanda claimed to have were beautiful drawings of dresses. Moved to apologize, Maddie and Peggy find that Wanda has moved away, and they learn from her father's letter to the teacher that it is because his children were being made fun of. Too late to make amends, Maddie regrets deeply her part in making Wanda unhappy, and vows never to stand by again while someone is being picked on.
The moral lesson of this story is obvious. What isn't necessarily obvious from my summary is that the story is written in an incredibly moving manner. Maddie's thought processes are revealed to us, and most who are honest will be able to understand her hesitance to speak up. And, we can grieve with her as she realizes that she cannot make amends for her wrong. This is a very powerful and evocative story. I read it to my three oldest children (ages 9, 7, and 5) who were able to grasp the message and to sympathize both with Wanda and Maddie.
It's 96 pages, but with large print and many illustrations (which honestly weren't my style), it's a pretty quick read. It could be read in one long sitting, but I chose to spread it out over three days to give me more time to discuss it with my children.
I would highly recommend this book for any child. It's a classic that has endured for years because of its quality writing and its timeless message.
Book Review: An Ageless Tale
Summary: 4 Stars
The Hundred Dresses
I read The Hundred Dresses while I was growing up. Over the years I have often thought of poor Wanda, who wore the same shabby dress, every day to school.
Wanda claimed to have a hundred dresses, all beautiful and all lined up in her closet. Peggy would wait each morning to see Wanda coming from the poor-side-of-town. She would taunt her, "Wanda, tell us about your one hundred dresses. Maddie felt bad going along with Wanda, but she was poor herself and wearing Peggy's hand-me-downs. Maddie was afraid that if she said anything, the teasing would turn to her.
Wanda proudly described her one hundred dresses, the red one, the green one and the blue one. Each of the children wondered why Wanda wore the same dress each day, when she had so many beautiful dresses.
As a young girl from a large family, I wore hand-me-down clothing from others in my school or church. I could relate to Maddie, who didn't like the teasing, but was afraid to speak up.
For a church activity, the church women were given a copy of the book The Hundred Dresses. After reading the book, we would pass on our copy to the next person on the list. One month later, we had an activity where we brought in new or gently used dresses to donate to a women's shelter. The dresses were folded neatly, placed in large, sealed bags and marked with the size. These dresses will be donated to women, so they can look their best while job hunting.
We discussed this book, and how important it is to fit in. We also discussed the importance of acceptance.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat
Book Review: A Subtle Teaching Message
Summary: 5 Stars
Estes, Eleanor, author. Slobodkin, Louis, illustrator. (1972). The Hundred Dresses
A Realistic Fiction story. Small chapter book. It is a Newberry Honor book.
Ending somewhat sadly with no real resolution, this story tells the problems faced by many young school girls. Wanda and Peggy are worlds apart. Wanda is a poor girl with no mother and Peggy is a rich girl with everything she wants. In between is Maggie, a girl who wants to relate with Peggy, but sees her life more like Wanda's.
The realistic characterization is recognized in the story's language. "Goodby, Wanda," said Peggy. "Your hundred dresses sound bee-yoo-tiful" (pg. 32), gives readers an immediate connection with the honest message portrayed in the story. At first, Wanda does appear strange to Maggie. In the end, however, Maggie finds she knows more about Wanda than first thought. It is this connection from author to reader that creates the realism in this story.
The illustrations are designed in colored pencils. There is unique shading to the illustrations that gives a touching effect. While the illustrations are not "to date" they are simple and provide readers with a portrait of another time. They help to support the story's realistic theme. The drawings of the dresses revealed on pages 42 and 43, create the needed picture for students to see the story come to life.
For early to middle elementary students, a personal and social discussion on the relationships we have with others, the affect we have on others, and our responsibility to think of others in regard to ourselves might me utilized. The theme of the story is central to teaching how this book can cause us to think and grow as a person.