I really loved the artwork here, finding illustrator Gordon C. The fact that it is also a celebration of the barber shop - a significant cultural institution for men and boys in the African-American community - also gives it significance. Given that I have seen a number of such titles for African-American girls - the most recent being Sharee Miller's Princess Hair - that makes its appearance most welcome.
The sense of newness, the feelings of looking good, the way that his "crown" is perceived by those around him, all these are explored, as are the appearances of the older men who are also in the barber shop for a haircut.A much-honored book - the ALA (American Library Association) recently announced that it was chosen as both a Caldecott and Newbery Honor Book, and it also received a Coretta Scott King honor in both the author and illustrator categories - Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is the first picture-book I have seen that explores the importance of hair and hairy-style for African-American boys. Read moreĪ young African-American boy shares the experience of visiting the barber's shop in this beautifully-illustrated picture-book, highlighting the way that a fresh cut makes him feel. That's where it all begins.Ĭrown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair - a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: Lesser grades turn into As girls take notice even a mother's hug gets a little tighter.
Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. The barbershop is where the magic happens.
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