CCBC Booklists

CCBC Review:

For the African American narrator of this lively story, the local barbershop is a one-stop shop of sorts where the community can relax together, especially on a Saturday morning. “The ‘Shop is our sound booth. Barbers blast their favorite beats. Folks bob their heads to the rhythm.” The ‘Shop is also their “gallery,” the walls hung with portraits of Black heroes. It’s a raucous “sports show” when there’s a game on TV. It’s a “comedy club” where people crack jokes, a “showroom” where people sell or pitch their wares, and a “classroom” where the kids learn not only “lessons about Black leaders” but also “the latest hip-hop buzz.” Of course, the ‘Shop is also a “studio” where “hair is the canvas, clippers are the brush, creating walking pieces of art.” The love the narrator has for his community is palpable in this joyful celebration of a space that is much more than just a business. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Ken Daley

CCBC Age Recommendation: 4-8
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: African Americans Community Work and Labor
Diversity subject: Black/African
On CCBC Booklist: Black Experiences: Affirmation and Resilience, Activism and Resistance in 45 Books for PreK-Grade 12 

Publishers: Beach Lane, Simon & Schuster
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781665940801
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Jones

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