Non-Fiction Monday: Big Wig: a Little History of Hair by Kathleen Krull
Illustrated by Peter Malone. unpgd. Scholastic Inc., August, 2011.
Leave it to Kathleen Krull to weave humor and history together with just enough grossness to keep interest high. Beginning with prehistory and the supposition that preoccupation with hair was a way of making friends and removing bugs, Krull trips through time in the present tense, stopping here and there to point out fascinating facts. Some of personal favorites include the accidental invention of the blow dryer (in 1904) and the purple-haired Monsieur Antoine (1924). Peter Malone's pastel palette and humorous illustrations add to the fun.
Extra tidbits of information are included on pages at the back, cleverly entitled, "Hair Extensions." A page of recommended resources ends the book.
Other reviews:
Shelf Employed
100 Scope Notes
Waking Brain Cells (particularly punny)
Bookends (more fun puns)
Non-Fiction Monday is hosted by Simply Science today.
