About the Author
Eleanor Estes was an American writer born in 1906. She wrote many books for children. She worked as a librarian and loved reading stories to kids. Her own childhood memories helped her write The Hundred Dresses. She won awards for her books. This story is simple but teaches a big lesson about kindness.
What’s the Story About?
This story happens in a school. It is about a quiet girl named Wanda Petronski. She sits in the back corner of the class. Her feet are always dirty with mud. She does not talk much.
Every day, some girls tease her. They ask, “How many dresses do you have?” Wanda always says, “I have a hundred dresses.” But she wears the same faded blue dress every day. So, the girls laugh. They think she is lying.
The leader of the teasing is Peggy. She is pretty and rich. She asks the question in a sweet voice, but it hurts Wanda. Another girl, Maddie, stands with Peggy. Maddie does not tease loudly, but she does not stop it either. She feels bad inside.
One day, the teacher announces a drawing contest. Girls have to draw dresses. Boys have to draw motors.
On the result day, the teacher shows 100 beautiful dress drawings on the walls. All are made by Wanda! Every dress is different and colourful. The class is shocked. Wanda wins the girls’ contest.
But Wanda is not in school that day. She has left the school. Her family moved to the big city because of the teasing.
Maddie and Peggy feel very sad. They write a letter to Wanda. They say sorry. They want her to come back.
The story ends with hope. Maybe Wanda will forgive them. The main point is: never tease anyone for being different.
Who’s Who in the Story
- Wanda Petronski – A poor Polish girl, quiet and shy, who sits in the back of the class. She says she has 100 dresses, draws 100 beautiful ones, wins the contest, and then leaves the school.
- Peggy – A popular, pretty, and rich girl. She teases Wanda by asking about her dresses but later feels bad and writes a sorry letter.
- Maddie – Peggy’s best friend, poor but not as poor as Wanda. She feels guilty watching the teasing, wants to stop it but stays quiet, and helps write the letter to Wanda.
- Miss Mason – The class teacher. She announces the contest, shows Wanda’s drawings, and reads Wanda’s letter to the class.
- Other girls – Classmates of Wanda. They laugh at Wanda and play the “hundred dresses” game.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Main Ideas)
- Bullying and Teasing – Making fun of someone again and again hurts them.
- Kindness and Regret – Maddie and Peggy feel sorry after Wanda leaves.
- Being Different – Wanda is poor and from another country. People judge her.
- Imagination – Wanda dreams of 100 dresses. She turns her dream into art.
Moral (Lesson)
- Never tease or bully anyone. Words can hurt more than you think.
- Stand up for others even if you are scared.
- Everyone is special in their own way. Do not judge by clothes or money.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
- Faded – Old and not bright in colour. Example: Wanda wore the same faded blue dress.
- Tease – To make fun of someone to hurt their feelings. Example: The girls teased Wanda about her dresses.
- Corner – A quiet place at the side. Example: Wanda sat in the back corner of the classroom.
- Mud – Wet, sticky soil. Example: Her shoes had mud on them.
- Contest – A competition. Example: There was a drawing contest in school.
- Shocked – Very surprised. Example: The class was shocked to see Wanda’s 100 beautiful drawings.
- Regret – To feel sorry for a mistake. Example: Maddie and Peggy felt regret for teasing Wanda.
- Forgive – To stop being angry with someone. Example: They hoped Wanda would forgive them.
- Imagination – The ability to think of new or creative ideas. Example: Wanda used her imagination to draw all the dresses.
- Bullied – Hurt again and again by words or actions. Example: Wanda was bullied because she was different.
Quick Tip for Students
Read the chapter slowly. Think: “How would I feel if someone teased me every day?” This will help you understand Maddie’s guilt and Wanda’s pain.