 |
A young child does not want to get a haircut. Since it is his first time, he does not know what to expect. He worries that the scissors cutting his hair might hurt because of his previous experience with scissors while at the hospital and that he might need bandages afterward. He fears that his hair might bleed. He worries that the process might be like having his hair cut with blunt nail clippers or sound like the noisy electric razor used by his father in the mornings. As these worries mount, he considers not getting a haircut and just letting his hair keep growing or even being bald, but his mom convinces him otherwise. And when he finally goes for the haircut, he learns it doesn’t hurt at all, and that the ones doing it are very friendly. So, he gets over his fear by the end.
This story addresses common concerns among children about to get their first haircut. Like the child narrator, they might have many questions and worries about how it will feel and what will happen afterward. The barbershop and/or salon can also be a strange new environment filled with strangers. One way this tale stands out is by addressing many of the questions a child might have and even the reasons why they might have those fears. Showing that the child in the story has fun when getting a haircut at the end is comforting for young readers and a great illustration of what to expect. As such, this book is perfect for children getting close to having their hair cut for the first time, to prevent too much anxiety and make them more comfortable. It has a certain goal in mind, which it achieves very well.