Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

Considering this picture book is written for and about "black and brown boys all over America" who visit the barbershop, it may not be surprising that Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut did not resonate with me. Demographics aside, I personally hate visiting the salon and reluctantly get my hair cut maybe once a year. I suppose I learned a little about the 11-year-old African American male experience with a fresh cut and how transformative the venture can be, but it seemed melodramatic and extreme (can a haircut really have that much of an effect?!). The pictures were cool (it was also a Caldecott honor this year), the prose was unique, but the story failed to engage me.