The Hundred Dresses is a 1944 children’s book by Eleanor Estes, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin. In the book, a young Polish girl named Wanda Petronski goes to a school in an American town, in Connecticut, where the other children see her as “different” and mock her.
This is one of my favorite books to read about bullying. Primarily because it shows the side and insight of those who are the bullies. We do not hear from the actual girl who was bullied.
I am currently reading this as a bookclub with four second/third grade girls and it is interesting to hear their thoughts as they are journeying through the book. Their discussions are very enlightening. Loneliness and worth are two things I have heard over and over and over in dealing with girls these past few years…aged five through early twenties. These girls say they are lonely a lot. This breaks my heart. This book is creating very good dialog between these little girls and I hope they are learning to love books, reading and maybe form friendship.
Peace.
