getTRIO.com: The Hundred Dresses

Mention The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes (illustrated by Louis Slobodkin) and those who remember it from their childhood will smile -- it's a kid's book that stays with you.

It's the bittersweet story of Wanda Petronski, a young girl whose immigrant family has little money, so she wears the same dress to school every day. The other students tease her about it, and about the 100 dresses she claims to have at home as a way to save face. As a result of the teasing, Wanda and her family move away and one of the students feels remorseful over what happened.

This delicate tale still has plenty to say (perhaps even more so today) about materialism, values, and dignity. Read it to your child and someday someone will mention The Hundred Dresses to them and they'll smile, too.

related tags:
books, classic, fashion, ideas.

I adored this book as a child.

posted by Sue on Nov 6, 2007 at 10:11 AM

I loved this book - still have a copy - and even endeavored to draw my own 100 dresses when I was little. As soon as I saw the name in your subject line I started smiling. Thanks for reminding me of something so wonderful and for introducing others to it

posted by Heidi Fulcher on Nov 6, 2007 at 5:11 PM

I remember this story as well. what a tug at my heart it is. Daughters , sisters read on.. mo

posted by Maureen Abramson on Nov 6, 2007 at 8:11 PM

Very important message. People value THINGS too much.

posted by christine carras on Nov 7, 2007 at 8:11 AM

It's my favorite book from childhood. It made a profound impression on me. I bought it for my granddaughter and can't wait til she's old enough to read it to her.

posted by maureen conliss on Nov 11, 2007 at 7:11 PM

I liked Eleanor Estes' other books as a child, but "The Hundred Dresses" was the one I really loved. When my four-year-old granddaughter is a little older, I will read it with her, and I hope she will always remember Wanda Petronski the way that I do.

posted by Joyce Saenz Harris on Nov 14, 2007 at 11:11 AM