10,000 Dresses. Marcus Ewert

10,000 Dresses shares the story of a trans girl, Bailey, who is trying to make her dreams a reality. Each night, Bailey dreams of a different mystical dress, which she in turn asks each of her family members if they can help her find the next morning. Despite her best efforts, Bailey’s family members are not willing to help her find the dress of her dreams, saying that boys can’t wear dresses, and that Bailey should stop asking them such questions.

Bailey’s story and eventual victory are great jumping off points for conversations about gender identity. Author Marcus Ewert paints Bailey as a sympathetic figure through her honest requests for help to simply access pieces of clothing that make her feel special. Ewert also earns credit by consistently using the correct pronouns for Bailey from the beginning — making it all the more surprising for youth hearing the story when Bailey’s parents don’t believe her when she reminds them that she’s a girl.

Reviewed by Katelyn Campbell

Illustrator: Rex Ray
Published by Seven Stories Press on January 4th 2008
Genres: LGBTQ
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Grade K, Grades 1-2
ISBN: 9781583229507