From Publishers Weekly
When Josh insists on wearing a brown paper bag over his head all day, the grownups around him go a bit crazy. "How do you plan to play like that?" asks his soccer coach, a demand that Krosoczka (Good Night, Monkey Boy) renders in imposing handwritten letters. But throughout the day, and in the face of a panoply of authority figures, Josh's resolve not to be unmasked remains as immutable as the three-hole (two for the eyes, one for the mouth) expression on his bag face. The hero's successful acts of insubordination (he makes three goals in soccer, for instance) attest to Krosoczka's sympathy for his audience, who will readily identify with Josh. The saturated, deliberate brushstrokes make the most of Josh's tenaciousness, and the hero's peppy stride and confident stance transforms the paper bag's goofiness into a kind of jaunty cheek. Just when readers may begin to think that Josh could sustain his baghead fa‡ade indefinitely, his little sister pops the one question no adult has bothered to ask: "Why are you wearing a bag, Josh?" For the first time, Josh reveals himself, along with the answer: a do-it-yourself haircut. That same compassionate sister brings about the happy ending in the form of a spiky new 'do (thanks to her pink mega-hold styling gel). Ages 4-7.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-From a brown, flecked dust jacket with two cut-out circles, a pair of eyes stares out at readers. At first, it is not clear why Josh chooses to go through the day-eating breakfast, giving his book report, and playing soccer-with a paper bag over his head. The adults think he won't be able to function, but the child even manages to score three goals. In the end, Josh reveals his motivation-a do-it-yourself haircut. His little sister proposes an alternate solution: "a very cool, spiky, mega-hold gel idea." Quirky caricatures rendered in thick, layered brush strokes are accompanied by short sentences in a childlike font. Curiosity will be piqued by the cover, although the story doesn't sustain interest over multiple readings. A novelty purchase, with programming potential.
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public LibraryCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
