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Original poster

10,000 Dresses

83 replies

NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 20:49

This book is about a little boy called Bailey. He dreams of dresses, so is referred to as 'she' throughout the book. His parents are obviously complete gits because they think he's a boy. All the characters in the book are stereotypically male or female. Basically it's a bag of shit, and us being read in my son's primary school.
He had it read to him in Y2 and Y4. I know it has also been read in a Y2 assembly.

The SRE teacher is very bright and sensible, and I think generally understands the GC argument. Deputy head bit more 'woke' & doesn't really understand.
I've been in to the school to ask them to stop teaching it, and have tried to raise awareness on the school Facebook page.
Just thought I'd share because I had no idea that this was being taught to children in our primary school.

10,000 Dresses
10,000 Dresses
10,000 Dresses
OP posts:
NorfisNorf · 22/11/2018 22:06

Good idea re Stephanie DA. Or maybe take in a copy of the TT schools pack?!

NorfisNorf · 22/11/2018 22:05

I’ve seen all the sex ed stuff they show to Ys 4,5 and 6 and there’s no reference to any of it in there (simple biology based stuff) but I suppose there could be other things I don’t know about. I think DD would tell me if she came across anything like this though.

I might make some enquiries. Always wary of poking a hornets’ nest though, especially given the current absence of interest in the whole issue there (apparently!).

ThinkIveFoundYourMarbles · 22/11/2018 21:56

Could you bring this to Stephanie's attention at Transgender Trend? There will likely be helpful advice.

Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:52

I was surprised that our school did this though. Have you checked what resources they are using? I only really found out about this by accident.

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NorfisNorf · 22/11/2018 21:51

Of course, Serfisafleur. It’s all such regressive, bigoted poop, transactivism.

Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:51

Ffs! I'm sure Derek Jacobi would not understand the implications of this book but it's infuriating that he did this.

It looks to me like a well intentioned book that has gone horribly wrong.

I don't believe for a minute that this book is well intentioned. I think the teachers may be well intentioned and misguided but the book is a TRA special.

OP posts:
NorfisNorf · 22/11/2018 21:49

That is horrendous and as a fellow North Londoner I find that particularly disturbing. Good for you for challenging it.

I’m only glad that our school seems not to be going down that road at all at the moment. I will have plenty to say if they ever do, though.

Serfisafleur · 22/11/2018 21:48

The way to tackle homophobia / transphoba is to say boys can like sparkly crystal dresses and that's OK. Not saying liking sparkling rainbows means the boy is actually a girl with all the counter-intuitive pronouns on top.

NeurotrashWarrior · 22/11/2018 21:35
NeurotrashWarrior · 22/11/2018 21:34

My son's school are using the programme. I'm not hugely pleased. The whole lea were trained by the author.

He's mainly about tackling homophobia and stereotypes but the trans books he's chosen aren't great. And yes there's one for ks1.

NeurotrashWarrior · 22/11/2018 21:31

www.equalitiesprimary.com/resources.html

Scroll down to find it.

Serfisafleur · 22/11/2018 21:31

Fucking sparkly rainbow crystals means you are a girl.

RepealTheGRA · 22/11/2018 21:30

Well done, keep speaking to the school, it should at least make them think.

It looks to me like a well intentioned book that has gone horribly wrong.

The school might like to think about how that book (and their school) would look featured in the mail!

Serfisafleur · 22/11/2018 21:30

What the actual fuck is that utter load of crap.
Thank you for raising awareness of this absolute bullshit being read to children at school.
I am livid.

NeurotrashWarrior · 22/11/2018 21:29

It's recommended by "no outsiders" programme, teaching the EA.

The lesson plan is shit.

Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:26

In fairness they do have a good range of books inc boy in a dress, and it's a lovely school, with lots of brilliant teachers. A lot of them are young and woke and just don't get the issues. My fb posting has made a lot of them think I am transphobic, but that's par for the course I guess,

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Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:24

I'm trying to get parents to ask that the book isn't read to their kids, so teachers find it harder to plan a lesson around it, (which they have been doing). Also should scupper any further readings in assembly. Only a few parents are interested though.
I'm posting quite a bit on the school fb page which the teachers do read, and I have written a very clear letter detailing the privies with the book and with the medical transitioning of children which this is a primer for.

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RepealTheGRA · 22/11/2018 21:22

I’m glad bailey gets his dress in the end! Would David Walliams ‘boy in a dress’ not be more appropriate for year 4? even though I don’t like him after the presidents dinner

ScipioAfricanus · 22/11/2018 21:19

cost effectively

RepealTheGRA · 22/11/2018 21:19

Sorry Cross post. You are U.K. The school need repeatedly challenging on that.

ScipioAfricanus · 22/11/2018 21:18

Gender stereotypes are supposed to be challenged in early years, that book is extremely confused and does the opposite.

Yes - and actually it’s rare to have parents presented as so ogre-like and villainous in a book for children that young, isn’t it? You’d expect that a book to encourage young children would have their parents supporting them (at the very least getting Bailey a dress), maybe some nasty bullies outside the family or a sibling who learns their lesson in the end.

On wikipedia it says it’s an old lady across the street who helps Bailey - alternative, affirming parent figure in that case? I’m also heartened to learn that they use mirrors (sequins) to make the dress more coat effectively than Bailey had envisioned.

Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:17

It's been in the school for years. I bought my yen copy and it was reassuringly hard to get hold of and cost £26.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:16

Where are you OP? Are you Canada? Please tell me that’s not being used in U.K. Gender stereotypes are supposed to be challenged in early years, that book is extremely confused and does the opposite.

North London! This book was on a list of recommendations from the group which advises on SRE. Can't remember the name of them, but will find out if you're interested, looked them up and thought they seemed very sensible and appropriate for primary, but hadn't realised they were suggesting trans brainwashing at the time.

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Original poster
NotZenEnough · 22/11/2018 21:13

Thank you, I will buy that for them. Halibut Jackson. Sounds great,

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RepealTheGRA · 22/11/2018 21:13

Where are you OP? Are you Canada? Please tell me that’s not being used in U.K. Gender stereotypes are supposed to be challenged in early years, that book is extremely confused and does the opposite.

‘Mom’ is a twat though.

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