Crazy Hair Day

This is going to be a day I will never forget! exclaims Stanley Birdbaum as his mother helps him prepare for Crazy Hair Day. With Halloween hair spray and styling gel how can he go wrong? Arriving in the classroom, Stanley is greeted by his classmates' laughter. But why? Dejected and alone in the boys bathroom, Stanley is befriended by Larry Finchfeather, the class troublemaker, who is exercising his peacemaking skills. Zach Braff narrates at a snappy pace. His rising voice and staccato speech followed by monotone, elongated moments depict both Stanley's elation and dejection. As the two classmates negotiate Stanley's return to the classroom, Braff is distinctively Larry and distinctively Stanley. Saltzberg's original score provides a jaunty background. An author interview and original CRAZY HAIR DAY song conclude the production. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

August 18, 2003
Stanley Birdbaum has committed perhaps the worst possible kid faux pas: he has worn a wacky hairstyle to school for Crazy Hair Day—on the wrong day. In fact, it's actually Class Picture Day. Granted, Stanley's 'do has been expertly executed by Stanley's mom: "She wrapped. She dipped. And to make his hair perfect, she sprayed Stanley's hair bright orange and blue. 'Ta-da!' said Stanley. 'I am a work of art!' " But his pride vaporizes when Stanley discovers his error, and he takes refuge in the boys' bathroom, resolving to be a no-show for the class photo. Saltzberg (Soccer Mom from Outer Space) portrays the characters as roly-poly hedgehog-like critters, but the school setting and social milieu are authentically and poignantly human. He understands how kids revel in the ostensible rule-breaking and goofy creativity of "Spirit Days" ("Stanley rolled the rubber bands in his hair. He gently tapped the tops of his spikes" before entering the classroom), and also how life at the elementary level takes no prisoners—even Stanley's best friend Larry scores a quip at his expense ("Is that a hair-do or a hair-don't?"). The story begins to sink under the weight of empathy as the coif- challenged hero slowly works through his embarrassment (with an assist from the now conciliatory Larry). But the wrap-up offers Stanley the perfect hair tonic: the entire class welcomes him to the class picture with their own hastily improvised but undisputedly zany headdress. Ages 5-8.