Beard Boy by John Flannery - ADVISABLE

Flannery, John Beard Boy, illustrated by Steven Weinberg, PICTURE BOOK. G.P. Putnam (Penguin), 2016. $16.99.  Content: G. 

Ben wants a beard. All of the coolest men in the city have beards: the baker, the barber, the butcher - lots of guy, but especially his dad.  He’s tried everything to grow one himself, he’s tried bubbles, and peanut butter, but they don’t really make a good beard.  His dad says he has to wait until he’s 26 or 27. When Ben can’t wait that long and tries something desperate, his dad does something unexpected.  

This is such a modern representation of city life!  The language in the book is very hip (bodaciously bewhiskered, boisterous beards).  It’s a great read aloud, whimsically illustrated and an awesome message for today’s beard wishers.  I’m glad beards are back in style.  

EL (K-3) ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian