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Seven Stories Press

Works of Radical Imagination

Book cover for 10,000 Dresses
Book cover for 10,000 DressesBook cover for 10,000 DressesBook cover for 10,000 DressesBook cover for 10,000 Dresses

Illustrated by Rex Ray

Finalist, 2008 Lambda Literary Awards

2009 Rainbow List Book

Honor Book, 2010 Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award

Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows … Unfortunately, when Bailey's awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Quite the contrary. "You're a BOY!" Mother and Father tell Bailey. "You shouldn't be thinking about dresses at all." Then Bailey meets Laurel, an older girl who is touched and inspired by Bailey's imagination and courage. In friendship, the two of them begin making dresses together. And Bailey's dreams come true! Marcus Ewert gives us a gorgeous picture book and a modern fairy tale about becoming the person you feel you are inside. 10,000 Dresses will delight people of all ages.  

Book cover for 10,000 Dresses
Book cover for 10,000 DressesBook cover for 10,000 DressesBook cover for 10,000 DressesBook cover for 10,000 Dresses

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“If you are a member of an LGBT family with young children, or the friend or ally of an LGBT family with young children, and want to expose your children to what the broad LGBT community looks like, you need to expose yourself and these children to the picture book 10,000 Dresses.”

“Bailey is a wonderful creation, but then again so are the dresses she dreams up; the illustrations by Rex Ray have a sleek, artful look.”

“Marcus Ewert's 10,000 Dresses is a joyous book about self-acceptance and identity. It is also the only children's picture book that features an openly transgender protagonist, and does so with both sensitivity and celebration.”

“Great for any kid who knows someone who is different or who may feel a little different themselves sometimes.”

“I love this book! If I had read it growing up, I might have felt better about my dress-wearing habit.”

“Three cheers for Bailey, whose creativity and artistic vision will inspire readers of all ages to celebrate exactly who they are.”

Marcus Ewert

An actor, writer, and director, MARCUS EWERT is also the creator of the hit animated children’s series Piki & Polo, which appeared on MTV’s Logo channel. He is the author of 10,000 Dresses and is currently writing a memoir of his time with Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs. Ewert lives in San Francisco.