FICTION

Clara's Crazy Curls

by Helen POOLE
illus. by Helen Poole. 40p. Capstone. 2014. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781623700430.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Redheaded schoolgirl Clara is not content with her already massive set of curls atop her head. She wishes for the tallest hair in the world. Poole sets up this humorous story using cartoonlike illustrations of characters with identical circle eyes and simple grins. Her artwork excels as she tickles readers' imaginations with drawings of golden-orange curls completely flowing to the edges of the pages as Clara's hair grows and grows. However, the rhyming text is often uneven, and some words are awkward to read aloud. Consider this a supplemental offering for fans of Sujean Rim's Birdie's Big-Girl Hair (Little, Brown, 2014), Erica Pelton Villnave's Sophie's Lovely Locks (Amazon, 2011), or Kate Hosford's Big Bouffant (Carolrhoda, 2011).—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
After Clara, already known for her big hair, sneaks some of her mom's "Big and Beautiful" hair cream, she gets mixed results: attention but also, predictably, inconvenience. This is not among the best picture books about girls with unruly tresses--it lacks originality, and many of the rhymes lose their footing--but the round-edged, curlicue-rich, high-color illustrations are rather fetching.
Reviewed by Blair Christolon , May 01, 2014

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