FICTION

The Boy with the Big Hair

by Khoa LE
tr. from French. illus. by Khoa Le. 24p. Insight. Jun. 2016. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781608877331.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Vietnamese graphic designer Le's picture book fantasy begins with a 3-D cover of a boy with a sprouting sapling and pair of doves nesting in his bushy head. Since Harry (aka Hairy) will not allow anyone to cut or comb his hair, he becomes a traveling home for an avian family, whose singing during music class leads to the boy's ejection. When the tree grows, resulting in the addition of windblown clothing and a tea set in the branches, "Hairy" returns to Harry, thanks to his mother's pruning. The tree stays in the garden, and the boy enjoys the freedom of keeping tidy. Le's rich colors and sweeping lines make each vignette a pleasure to savor. Alternating dark and light backgrounds, she expresses humor and frustration as needed.
VERDICT This brief, fanciful cautionary tale is made sumptuous by the fascinating painting compositions. Perfect for storytime or one-on-one sharing.
Reviewed by Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA , Jun 01, 2016

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