Crazy Hair (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Dave Mckean (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The duo responsible for The Wolves in the Walls (2003) return with another chaotic picture book popping with bright collage and multimedia imagery. A man takes umbrage with a young girl ogling his outrageous hairdo, and tells her in a series of increasingly ridiculous rhymes all the things that can be found in the stupendous swaths swirling upon his head (“Hunters send in expeditions, / Radio back their positions / Still, we’ve lost a dozen there / Lost inside my crazy hair.”) Each page is a veritable feast for the eyes, with frazzled clumps of hair competing for attention with outlandish elements—carousels, pirate ships, blue octopi, comb-eating bears—incorporated into the frenzied mix. There’s something a little unsettling and unhinged about the imagery, just on the safe side of nightmarish; but the text, for the most part, is delightful and glib. The whole thing comes off as a little self-gratifying on the creators’ parts, but there is no doubting the dazzling creativity on display. Perhaps best recommended for children with an adventurous artistic sensibility. Preschool-Grade 3. --Ian Chipman

Product Description

"In my hair

Gorillas leap,

Tigers stalk,

And ground sloths sleep.

Prides of lions

Make their lair

Somewhere in my crazy hair."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060579080
• ISBN-13: 978-0060579081
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,797 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down, best book of the year!, June 9, 2009

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Grayce Richardson (age 5) for Reader Views (4/09)

"Okay, I think my hair would get dirty if birds nested in it. Oh my gosh, there are lions in there? This is getting hilarious! And now she is getting crazy hair! I like it when they say, `Stuck inside my crazy hair!' Mom, read it again!"

Parent's Note:

Expect a whole lot of zany wackiness from the author/illustrator pair who also wrote "Coraline." Grayce was riveted by the story and kept saying, "Oh, my gosh, this is hilarious!" "Crazy Hair" is, indeed, hilarious; but more than that, it is imaginative and fun and just slightly creepy (in a good way). As a parent, I love reading this book because the character is one of a kind. It's the best of what a children's book should be - full of adventure and exploration and creativity, with just a little bit of "hair-raising" wonder to go along with it. This book is her hand's-down favorite right now and I would buy it in hard cover. "Crazy Hair" by Neil Gaiman will be a permanent book in our collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly delightful, September 6, 2009

By	J. D. Mattson "biblioholic" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gaiman and McKean are a match made in heaven and this is my favorite of their collaborations so far. Taken from a poem that Gaiman wrote in response to his daughter's comment about his "crazy hair's" behavior in humidity, he has applied his trademark ear for delightful, offbeat descriptions and, in this case, unusual rhyme. McKean's art is dark, lovely, and fantastical and enhances the text. I highly recommend this.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for "Mirrormask" fans; hilarious and faintly disturbing, August 19, 2009

By	E. M. Van Court "Van, emvc (at) lycos.com" (Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I loved it!

Having spent much time in the company of a beautiful blonde with serious "Crazy Hair" problems (and a remarkable imagination) this book felt very familiar.

Bonnie notices a fellow's hair; his Crazy Hair. With birds, gorillas, tigers, lost hunters, dancers, and many more inhabiting his Crazy Hair, with carosels and water slides in his Crazy Hair, Bonnie still feels compelled to comb it. And then came a rumbling...

The ending is a happy one, but more sensitive kids might be overwhelmed by the theme and the images. My kids and I loved it.

Dave McKean's style is distinctive and if you enjoyed Mirrormask, this one will be a treat for you. If you enjoyed Crazy Hair but haven't seen Mirrormask yet, I envy you; you have a great pleasure waiting for you (although Mirrormask is for a slightly older crowd than Crazy Hair). The McKean's style uses collage techniques and an idiosyncratic representation of faces that works well for me. Slightly impressionistic, but very accessible.

The theme is equally idiosyncratic but equally brilliant. A girl faces the unknown despite efforts to intimidate her, and does what she believes to be right even though she should be overwhelmed. And she is rewarded for her efforts. Still, some readers might have issues with aspects of this book.

Over the top silliness for the younglings. I loved it.

E. M. Van Court