PUNK WIG

A serious illness is given a lighthearted and encouraging treatment as a young boy relates how his mother is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. “She’s going to the hospital to get the alien blobs zapped with medicine.” Back home, he brings his sick mom a lunch tray with peanut butter and jelly and his favorite gorilla cup. When her hair starts to fall out, she announces that it’s wig day. At Harriet’s Hair, they both try on silly wigs and his mom chooses a long orange, spiky wig that she calls, “My Punk Wig.” At the grocery store, everyone stares at his mom, wearing jeans and a black-leather jacket and sporting Punk Wig. During the winter they put Punk Wig on their snowman. By spring, mom’s test results are good and she surprises the boy by giving him Punk Wig. Kono’s watercolor illustrations convey a blithe touch and reflect the warm relationship between mom and son. This positive and upbeat approach to coping with cancer will be a welcome addition—younger than, but complimentary to Patricia Polacco’s The Lemonade Club (2007). (Picture book. 5-8)