BIRDIE'S BIG-GIRL HAIR
From the Birdie series
by Sujean Rim ; illustrated by Sujean Rim
Another book in Rim’s series about the elfin fashionista, who, having tackled shoes and clothes in earlier books, now tackles the issue of problem hair with her unique approach to little-girl fashion dilemmas.
Birdie is having a really bad hair day. Mommy decides that a visit to the salon is in order, and in trying to choose a new hairdo Birdie scours a bewildering assortment of styles from fashion magazines. Nothing feels quite right. Her friends make helpful suggestions, but she can’t decide what she wants until she gets home and discovers the perfect hair: Mommy’s, in her high school yearbook! Armed with this choice, Birdie heads for the salon and is delighted with the result—until the energetic little girl ruins the new ’do on the playground. In a rather superficial nod to the importance of character over looks, Mommy reassures her “beautiful Birdie” that “now it’s even better. It looks like YOU.” Birdie’s perky personality is beautifully expressed through retro-styled illustrations that combine watercolor and collage drawn from a variety of fabrics, textures, and magazine clippings.
Although Rim’s approach may disappoint feminist parents who dislike Birdie’s devotion to the cult of female beauty, most little girls (and maybe some boys) will thoroughly enjoy this beautifully designed and whimsical tale. (Picture book. 3-6)