J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown: J.D. the Kid Barber, Book 3
By Carrie Kingsley,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun, life lessons in tale of J.D.'s moment in spotlight.
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What's the Story?
Eight-year-old barber J.D. is chosen to do a demo for a huge crowd in Atlanta in J.D AND THE HAIR SHOW SHOWDOWN. The trip from his tiny town of Meridian, Mississippi meant experiencing his first plane ride, his first time in a limo, navigating crowds and a busy schedule at the hair show -- and hoping to meet kid rap star Li'l Easy Breezy. The influencers and hair professionals at the show offer classes, free products, and a chance to see what life in the world of hair and beauty could be like, and J.D. knows he's ready to be a part of it all.
Is It Any Good?
J.D.'s realization that everyone feels anxious sometimes and has different ways of coping with nerves is a great lesson for young and old readers. J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown uses conversations and plain language to explore positive ways of dealing with being nervous, feeling overwhelmed, and navigating new situations with confidence. As a talented kid barber, he has serious skills, but he's also real about how he talks himself through being nervous. The way that J.D.'s parents and family support him is fantastic, showing that family members can show up for one another in many ways and that good communication is key. His family helps give him the tools and structure to navigate new situations, like his first plane ride, managing a busy schedule, and interacting with adults. J.D.'s realization that a famous kid probably faces a lot of the same feelings he has is a great perspective on celebrity culture.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how J.D. handles being nervous in J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown. How do you feel when you're nervous? What helps you feel better? What makes it worse?
What do you think about the way L'il Easy Breezy talks about being a kid in his world?
J.D. has a lot of new experiences on this trip. Who has helped you through new experiences in your life?
Book Details
- Author: J. Dillard
- Illustrator: Akeem S. Roberts
- Genre: For Beginning Readers
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Kokila
- Publication date: November 16, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 8
- Number of pages: 128
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 22, 2022
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