Customer Reviews

Uncle Jed's Barbershop (Aladdin Picture Books)

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This fabulous book stole my heart. I feel so lucky to have a job that allows me to share my love of books with my wonderful students. I do my elementary counseling through children's literature. UNCLE JED'S BARBERSHOP is a book I enjoy reading over and over to kids of all ages. What a marvelous lesson. I think it is important for kids to be reminded of how unfair things were to African Americans many years ago. But the best part of the book reminds us all that if we work hard enough, we can realize our dream. Even after reading this book to six different classes in one day, I still cry my eyes out on the last few pages--the most perfect ending!

Sarah Jean's great Uncle Jed has a dream of opening up his own
barbershop. Sarah Jean explains to the reader that Great Uncle Jed is the only black barber in their county during segregation. He goes on horseback from house to home cutting Afro-American people's hair. One of Sarah Jean favourite thing is when Uncle Jed pretends to cut her hair. He would place the clippers next to her neck and then put on some great smelling lotion . One day Sarah Jean becomes very ill and the doctors will only operate if they had the three hundred dollars up front. Uncle Jed saves Sarah Jean's life when he gives her family the three hundred dollars he had been saving for his barbershop. Uncle Jed suffer another setback when the Great Depression hits and the bank holding his three thousand dollars fails. He has to start again from nothing in the middle of the Depression. Now Uncle Jed's customers can only paid him in food and clothing. Uncle Jed's dream is finally realized on his seventy ninth birthday. Uncle Jed attains his dream through unruffled courage and dignity. He does not allow racism or injustice get in the way.The realistic illustrations add to this wonderful book. A wonderful picture book for five to nine year old with the quiet message of following your dream no matter how long it takes.

This story is an historical fiction account of an African American family who struggles during the Depression. This is a great book to teach: economics--scarcity of money affects decisions; perseverence; work ethics.

Picture books featuring black characters in history come out every year. Mostly these books are either folktales or deal directly with segregation and/or slavery. "Uncle Jed's Barbershop" is a little different. In it, the characters live in the deeply segregated South of the 1930s. Rather than let this be the focus of the book, however, author Margaree King Mitchell has chosen to simply allow this to be the background to the actual story. I appreciated greatly the fact that Mitchell was such an adept writer that she could teach kids history without making that history the focal point of the text. When you add this fact to "Uncle Jed's" emotion packed storyline, you find you've a book that's not only well written and illustrated but also deeply meaningful.

Sarah Jean lives with her parents on a farm in the South. Her favorite relative, by far, is her granddaddy's brother, Uncle Jedediah. The only black barber for miles around, Uncle Jed travels from home to home giving haircuts. His dream, however, is to someday have a barbershop of his own with sinks, "so shiny they sparkled, the floor so clean you could see yourself". When little Sarah Jean gets sick and needs an operation, however, Uncle Jed readily parts with the $300 required to make her better. A few years later he saves enough money to buy the land and build a building when the Depression hits. Suddenly all his money is gone and he has to start all over again. Finally, at the grand old age of seventy-nine, his dream becomes a reality. People from all over come to him and the now adult Sarah Jean sits in a seat and lets him twirl her around in a chair. Says Sarah Jean at the end, "Uncle Jed died not long after that, and I think he died a happy man". The final shot is of the autumn leaves falling past a window. Inside, Jed sweeps the floor of the shop that he can now call his own.

Much as with his "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" (which this book would pair brilliantly with during a storytime), illustrator James Ransome has done a superb job. To prepare for these pictures, Ransome returned to his hometown in North Carolina, used old photographs of his grandfather's chickens, and included subtle elements that give each scene a sense reality and a flavor of its own. There's a particularly autumnal feeling to this story as well. The book begins with leaves falling and it ends with leaves falling. Using his customary oil paint on paper, even the thickest of Ransome's lines contain enough delicacy to make the pictures seem real. Uncle Jed is a great character in this pages and it's his vibrancy and stoicism that pulls the book together. Mitchell's plot is a good one too. Books with the moral of if-at-first-you-don't-succeed-try-try-again fall into two distinct camps. Either they're schmaltzy goo of the "Little Engine That Could" variety, or they speak to something deep inside of us. "Uncle Jed's" belongs to the latter category. You agonize with Jed when he loses everything in the stock market. And you're just as amazed as everyone else when he wins in the end, however briefly.

I tend to avoid books with lessons because usually the lessons learned are poorly presented. This book, however, has a lesson that I think has been given delightful packaging. With Mitchell's words and Ransome's pictures, you've got yourself a heckuva book. Definitely consider checking it out today.

I USED THIS TEXT WHEN I DID AN PROGRAM AT MY 5 1/2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH. THE TEACHER WAS SO IMPRESSED THAT SHE ADDED THE BOOK TO THE LIBRARY INSIDE THE CLASSROOM. THE BOOK ILLISTRATES THAT NO MATTER HOW A SITUATION LOOKS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, YOU CAN REACH YOUR DREAM. AFTER READING THIS BOOK IN THE BOOKSTORE, I HAD TO BUY IT BECAUSE EVERY YEAR, I INTEND TO USE IT IN MY PROGRAM.

This is a definite favorite of mine! Uncle Jed dreams of owning his own barbershop with four cutting stations, sinks that shine, and a sparkling floor. In the 1930's during the depression this seemed like an impossible dream for most African Americans, but Uncle Jed was determined. He worked and saved many times over. Each time he was within reach of his goal tragedy would strike and cause a set back, but Uncle Jed's dream could not be thwarted.

I suppose I love this book so much because it reminds me of my father. He is a barber and owns his own shop still to this day. I remember being little, sitting in his big twirly chair on the "high rise." My mother made him give me the dreaded "Pixxy" haircut. "I look like a boy!" I demanded. Somehow, I don't know how, my father would make it all ok. All was right with the world as he lifted me from the big red twirly chair. Once again I was smiling and happy.

You must read this book to find out if his dream came true despite his many set backs. Once you read this memorable text you will understand immediately why this children's classic won the noted Coretta Scott King Award.

I was personally encouraged and touched by Uncle Jed's story. And, as a single mom who struggled to raise four children, I know how important it is to believe in your dream. But, even so, I think of my father who is now in his seventies, and could be encouraged by Uncle Jed.

What is important about Uncle Jed is that in spite of very discouraging circumstances, circumstances that would cause others to become bitter or to make excuses for not attaining their dreams, he has faith in his dreams. That faith causes him to pick up and go on. It sustains his selflessness. I see no bitterness, no "poor me" in Uncle Jed.

Uncle Jed is a great role model, not just for children, but even for adults who have experienced a lifetime of setbacks and necessary sacrifices.

What makes this book doubly significant, is the time in history the book is written. It could be a window for children, a view of how things once were in this country and to get them to think about how these things have impact on what is now. It can, also, help them to think about how things are for others outside of their own personal environment.

I plan on buying several copies of this: not just for the kids, but for many of the adults in my family.

This is a lovely book with equally lovely illustrations. Sarah Jean is a young child living in the 1920s in the deep south. The hard times and the segregation the family faces are part of the story, but not the focus of the story.

Sarah Jean loves her Uncle Jedediah, who is her grandfather's brother. He is the only black barber in their small rural southern community, so he travels for miles to give his customers haircuts. His ultimate goal is to open his own barbershop. He describes how he wants his shop to look with "shiny, sparkling sinks" and a floor that is so clean that people can see their reflections.

Sadly, Sarah Jean becomes critically ill and needs an undisclosed operation that will cost $300.00. Her family waits in the segregated waiting area of their local hospital until the doctor can see her. Uncle Jed steps up to the plate with the $300.00 to pay for his niece's treatment.

When the Depression hit with an economic vengeance, once again Uncle Jed has to start from scratch to save money for that barbershop. He even plays "barber" with Sarah Jean, lathering her neck and letting her see the tools of his trade. Over time he does save enough to open that shop and people came for miles for haircuts. Towards the end of the book, Sarah Jean, by then a grown woman spins around in one of her uncle's barber chairs.

This is a masterpiece of a book that might make you cry. The ending and the beautiful final illustration make a strong story even more effective. Uncle Jed was a humble man with great dignity. He left a legacy of a good work ethic, dignity and persistence. Best of all, Uncle Jed was truly a good person. I highly recommend this book for everybody.

The 1962 Elvis song, "Follow that Dream" could be the soundtrack of this book. Just follow that dream wherever it may lead you.

I am a substitute teacher in a primary school. I was subbing in the library and this book was part of the lesson for that day on "perseverance." I loved it so much I had to buy it for my personal library. I highly recommend this for adults as well as children. If you are trying to reach a goal and have a difficult time attaining it, this book is for you. If you are doing what you set out to do read it anyhow. It will inspire you to keep going forward!!

Everyone has a favorite relative. For Sarah Jean, it's her Uncle Jed. Every Wednesday night he would come over to her house to give her daddy a haircut and shave. Uncle Jed was the only black barber for miles around. He was a generous man who traveled all over the county in the 1920's to cut his customer's hair. But he had a dream -- a dream as big as his generous heart. He wanted to open his own barbershop some day. Life wasn't easy for Uncle Jed, but you'd never know it from his facial expressions or the way he lived life.
When Sarah Jean needs an operation and her parent's don't have the money, Uncle Jed gave them $300; money that he's saved for his barbershop. Sure it delayed his dream, but family mattered more to him. When The Great Depression came and his bank closed -- he lost the $3000 he had saved to build his barbershop. But he didn't stop dreaming his dream. He kept cutting hair, saving money and helping people.
He finally did build his barbershop and everyone came from all over the county to celebrate the realization of a dream. He was 79 years old and was never prouder!
This book will encourage you and your kids to dream big dreams and to never give up . . . no matter what!

Steve & Annette Economides - Authors of America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right On The Money
www.AmericasCheapestFamily.com
America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams