An Enchanted Hair Tale (Reading Rainbow Book) [Paperback]

Alexis De Veaux (Author), Cheryl Hanna (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Reading Rainbow Book

Sudan suffers from the general ridicule of his strange-looking hair, until he comes to accept and enjoy its enchantment.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Teased about his unruly dreadlocks, Sudan runs away, but discovers unexpected allies. According to PW , "The unusual story is beautifully illustrated. Hana's rich black-and-white drawings hover intriguingly between the text's real and imaginary worlds." Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4 Sudan looks like his father, except for his hair that is just like his mother's. ``It giggled when he talked and roared when he walked and often sprouted wings.'' Although Sudan enjoys his enchanted hair, he is bothered by the negative comments that adults make about it. One day he gets so mad, he runs away and finds a group of people with ``wild root hair'' similar to his. Together they bounce on a trampoline and act in their circus until Sudan feels that he should go home. That night he is at peace, singing ``a song of the words Pearl Poet left in his head.'' De Veaux is trying to give children confidence in the face of taunting and discrimination, but she does not succeed. The poetics of the text seem forced and contrived, sometimes rhyming, sometimes not. The black-and-white illustrations show more warmth and understanding than the text. Sudan is rather appealing with his large, expressive eyes, slightly sad, but not mad. Some children may identify with Sudan, but more will be confused by the rhyme. Children do not easily accept an adult message just because it is packaged in a picture book format. Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064432718
• ISBN-13: 978-0064432719
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,240,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical celebration with an uplifting message, April 27, 2005

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Enchanted Hair Tale (Hardcover)

"An Enchanted Hair Tale," by Alexis De Veaux, features black-and-white illustrations by Cheryl Hanna. Together they tell the story of Sudan, a young boy who is teased and marginalized by some people because of his wild dreadlocks. But a magical encounter with a colorful troupe of performers helps give Sudan a new perspective on his problem.

This is a fun book with an uplifting and valuable message. The versatile De Veaux creates a playfully poetic text that makes effective use of rhyme and alliteration. At their liveliest her words really dance across the page. I love her description of Sudan's hair: "It giggled when he talked/ and roared when he walked/ and often sprouted/ wings." The text is perfectly complemented by Hanna's illustrations. Hanna combines a sweaty, down-to-earth quality with many surreal, fantastic flourishes. Her illustrations are full of clever and delightful details. This is a book to share with both children and adults.