NaturalKids Book Review

Crazy Hair Day

By Barney Saltzberg

Autumn always brings with it special moments, leaves turning beautiful colors of reds yellows and brown, shorter days, and back to school. For children and parents this is a busy time, new clothes, school supplies, teachers and many other wonderful things. Even home schooled children start a new grade.

One of my favorite book that reminds me of my childhood and school experiences is Barney Saltzberg Crazy Hair Day. Crazy Hair Day is a day in the life of Stanley Birdbaum. Stanley wakes up thinking its crazy hair day at school and really goes nuts on his hair, only to go to school and find out that its not crazy hair day but picture day!

Embarrassed after a not well thought out comment, and a couple of giggles, Stanley hides out in the bathroom. Help and kind words later come from a friend who comes and comforts and cheers Stanley up. Stanley summons up the courage to go back to class and discovers his classmates and teacher ready for a “crazy hair” class picture. No Stanley your not the only “weirdo” today.

Saltzberg’s fun and comical pictures and the familiar story of being different, hurt or embarrassed and having good friends to get you through it make Crazy Hair Day a good read aloud book with a great message.

This book is close to my heart because of a very special kid named Max. My best friends son Max was diagnosed with Alopecia 2 years ago and his hair looked like someone had shaved parts of his head. He started acting out at home and school finally confessing that a group of girls had said some very unkind words to him during recess. My friend, very upset called after a meeting at the school, and was ready to call some parents up and share a couple of unkind words herself. I was strongly prompted to buy the book that I so loved to sell at work (I work at a toy store) and wrap it up. I gave it to Max with some words of encouragement written inside. My friend called a week later. She and Max took it to school and she read it to the class along with an explanation of Alopecia. Max never was made fun of at school again, or wears hats or anything to cover his “crazy hair”…unless he thinks it looks cool.

Here are some great NaturalKids Finds for Back To School:

muddyfeet

 

kittingmamma

 

 

katsinthebelfry

 

asherjasper

Book Review by Dayanara Garcia of Pin Pon