Big Bouffant

March 1, 2011

What seems to be a paean to originality finds itself in a snarl by the end. Sick of the same old–same old ponytails and braids, spunky, determined Annabelle declares, "This class needs some fashion. / This class needs some fun. / I'll find a hairdo to impress everyone." Discovering a picture of her grandmother gives her the idea she's been waiting for: "Oh, please, Mom, please, / can I have a bouffant? / A big bouffant is / all I really want!" The ungainly rhyming verse proceeds to describe Annabelle's quest to achieve a bouffant and, predictably, the roomful of bouffants that appears once the new style catches on. Equally predictably, Annabelle immediately tires of her new style and begins to make plans for something brand new. The message here is not about a child discovering her identity or peers honoring one another's differences; instead, Hosford suggests that most people will just mimic the bravest, most confident among them, which is more than a little sad. Nonetheless, Clifton-Brown's whimsical illustrations manage to give the story a joyful spirit and will no doubt elicit some giggles and inspire a number of new bouffants, the bigger the better. (Picture book. 6-10)

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April 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-Annabelle has her own sense of style. On her first day of school, she finds her classmates' ponytails and braids a tad too ordinary for her taste. She becomes intrigued with a photo of her grandmother with a bouffant hairdo and decides that this is just what she needs to liven things up. "A big bouffant is all I really want!" Her mother repeatedly tries to persuade her to try other styles, but Annabelle wants no part of them. Eventually, all the girls and even a few of the boys jump on the big-hair bandwagon. But Annabelle's individual flare won't allow her to be like everyone else so she sets off once again to make a fashion statement. Warm tones and colorful patterns result in rich illustrations that carry Annabelle's exuberance and determination through the pages. Shadow and texture layer the story, and panels help readers move along visually. This rhyming text will delight fans of Robert Munsch's Stephanie's Ponytail (Firefly, 1996) and will make a good addition for hair-themed storytimes.-Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

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