From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2—After peering at her mother through a hairdresser's window, a Korean girl is inspired to open an imaginary salon of her own. While the woman is being primped and pampered at "Jang Hair," Minji's first customer is the unsuspecting family dog. She tries out different styles on her reluctant client, including a purple pom-pom headband, before deciding on a color treatment. She carefully prepares an ice-cream mixture and slathers it on the pooch, advising, "'You have to be patient; beauty takes time.'" Crayons improvise as hair rollers and watercolors add "a little more color." The minimal text relays Minji's professional patter: "We're almost done….Just the finishing touches….What do you think?" Eun-hee's clever side-by-side illustrations show the parallel beauty routines in both salons. When Minji's mother returns home, she responds to the paint-splattered mess with good humor. A stylish look at make-believe play.—
Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
When Minji’s mother heads to the beauty salon, Minji pretends to be her dog’s hairdresser. While her mother’s hair is being shampooed, colored, and curled, Minji works diligently on her patient pooch. The simple, charming story of a young girl using her imagination is accompanied by delightful artwork. Choung’s uses subtle colors, mostly white backgrounds, and a cast of very expressive characters to expand the text. Each left-hand page is a picture of Minji’s mother and her hairdresser; opposite is a view of Minji and her dog involved in similar activities. “Mom will be back soon. I think she’ll be surprised,” Minji tells her splendidly remade pup. Indeed, Mom is surprised—and decides she wants to make an appointment of her own with her creative daughter, despite the fact that the house is covered in paint, jello, and more. --Bina Williams
