The Hundred Dresses

The Hundred Dresses By Eleanor Estes
Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin
Published by Harcourt Brace & Company 1944

Newberry Honor Book

The Hundred Dresses is a powerful story for young students to hear on compassion, kindness, and doing what is morally right. Students can be cruel to one another in school. Wanda, a shy student in the class is the victim of teasing from other girls in the class due to her hand-me-down clothes. One of the young girls, Maddie, begins to feel bad for her actions, but can't seem to bring herself to say anything. Eventually Wanda does not return to school, which worries Maddie. However, the impending drawing contest takes over the focus. When the contest comes to a close, Wanda returns to school to show off her drawings of hundred different dresses all over the classroom. Wanda wins the contest but does not return to school as her family moves away to an area where she won't be made fun of. Maddie and her friend Peggy try to make it up to Wanda, but realize that you cannot always make amends.

This book is excellent for students in grades 3-5. It is part chapter book, part picture book. It is an easily relatable story for students that teaches an important lesson for all students to hear. The Hundred Dresses exemplifies the Golden Rule. The whimsical illustrations with blended lines and soft colors catches the readers eye and adds imagery that enhances the story.

Scholastic.com provides a lesson plan that may be helpful if bullying is an issue in your class, or you just love the book like I do!

Estes, E., & Slobodkin, L. (1944). The hundred dresses. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co.