My Fade Is Fresh, written by Shauntay Grant and illustrated by Kitt Thomas. Penguin Workshop, Penguin Random House. 2022. $23.99 ages 5 and up

"How 'bout a trim
that tucks it in?"

"A frizzy "FRO that's 
neat and round."

"Or parted with a parting 
comb and CORNROWS

braided 

to 

the 

ground."

This bright and colorful book opens to a spread of a young girl and her mother on their way to the barber shop. There is excitement in the air, and happy greetings from the other kids on the block. It's a story from yesterday when the two entered the shop, the little one sporting a head full of 'brownish, biggish hair and a plan for change. The stylist wants to know what her plan is. 

"THE FRESHEST FADE 
UP ON THE BLOCK!"

Everyone in the shop has an opinion about numerous traditional hairstyles that she should try. The child is insistent that she wants a fade. The hair gets shorter and shorter; the adults become more and more upset with what is happening right before their eyes. The child will not be deterred. No dyeing, no tapering, no twisting. There is no end to the advice given. Finally, it's done ... and it's perfect. 

Today she's back on the block to walk right past that barbershop and show them all how GOOD she looks! 

The rhyming text works beautifully, the dialogue is filled with suggestions for what she should want, and the illustrations are filled with the warmth of community, the energy of the crowd of customers, the humorous, expressive characters and the suggestions they make. The determination of the child never diminishes despite all the helpful opinions.