Although David Walliams has written for radio and television, this is his first children's book, and it has genuine child appeal. The story concerns 12-year-old Dennis, who lives with big brother John and their lorry driver dad. Mum has gone, and Dennis misses her terribly.
He enjoys watching daytime TV, particularly Trisha - one episode concerns a woman who's found out that she's having an affair with her own husband - and he loves playing football. Dennis is brilliant at football and his best friend Darvesh is pretty good too. Darvesh's mum is his No 1 supporter and a wonderful, laugh-out-loud character. She drives them to matches, shouts from the sidelines and heaps disproportionate praise on her son, much - of course - to his embarrassment.
There are some nicely handled school setpieces, including a trip to the headmaster's office after an incident with a football, and a detention cut short when Miss Windsor, the French teacher, asks if anyone would mind them finishing early because "I would quite like to get home in time for Neighbours. Lassiter's coffee shop is re-opening today after the dramatic fire." This should enable true Neighbours fans to pinpoint with some accuracy when this story is set - assuming, of course, that Miss Windsor was watching its first run on terrestrial television. With mentions of Monster Munches and UmBongo drinks, there is a slightly old-fashioned tinge to the whole proceedings.
Important figures include Raj, who runs the cornershop, brilliantly realised in Quentin Blake's illustrations. Raj is forever trying to generate income. When Dennis goes to buy his first copy of Vogue, he pretends that it's a present for a girl, and Raj tries to sell him wrapping paper. When his offer for three rolls for the price of two is declined he offers "eleven rolls for the price of eight".
Ah, yes, the Vogue magazine. Imagine Dennis's dad's horror when he discovers it hidden under his younger son's mattress. Fortunately for Dennis, Lisa understands his love of Vogue. She's the coolest girl in the school and, having shared that shortened detention, they strike up an unusual yet genuine friendship. (Much to big brother John's jealousy and admiration.) It's one of Lisa's dresses that Dennis ends up wearing. To school. He pretends to be a French exchange student, leading to a very funny encounter with the French teacher, with her ensuing wail spread across three pages.
The Boy in the Dress isn't the first children's cross-dressing title to hit the shelves, of course. There's Terence Blacker's underrated novel Boy 2 Girl, reviewed on these pages back in 2004, for example. But Walliams has taken a much more light-hearted approach - with a very silly twist, come the denouement. Having said that, part of the charm of this novel is that the characters really do grow, and the complicated relationships between the members of Dennis's family are very touching.
Blake's illustrations not only give this story that extra dimension - something that Walliams is quick to acknowledge in his "thank yous" - but also instant credentials. Even without them, though, The Boy in the Dress would stand very nicely on its own two (high-heeled) feet.
I hope Walliams writes more for children. But I end with a word of warning: don't remove the book's jacket until you've read the story. Blake's pictures underneath give much of the game away. See? It's all a matter of what you wear and when.