PPBF: Super Hair-O And The Barber Of Doom

Today I'm excited about our book giveaway from Tuesday.
Let's congratulate Tanya. She's got a copy of the Standout College Application book coming her way since her comment was drawn from all of the college reflections. Thanks to everyone who entered.

I'm also excited because in a month I'll be in Washington D.C. 
at the National Forum to present a breakout session called 
Character Is Our Super Power. 
Take advantage of the early-bird discount through September 30th if you want to attend. I may even read today's PPBF aloud 'cause it's super adorable!





Title: Super Hair-O And The Barber Of Doom
Author and Illustrator:  John Rocco
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date: May 21, 2013
Suitable for ages: 4-9
Themes: super hero, caring, friends
Fiction
Brief Synopsis: Convinced that he gets his power from his hair, Rocco grows it longer as he gets stronger. Until one day he meets a fate that threatens to undo his superhero status. Will he and his peeps still have superpowers once the barber gets ahold of them?
Opening page:  
Every superhero gets his powers from somewhere. Photon Man had his ring. Robo Girl had her bionic arms. My superpowers came from my hair.

Resources:  
Click {here} for video trailer of the book.
Read a review from The Book Bandit {here}.
Visit Disney Dads {here} for another review.
Download a Super Power Homework Page for Parents {here}.
Meet Respect Renee {here} at Savvy School Counselor.

Have kids write and draw about their superpower. Click picture to download this reflection page from my friend Lisa, who first alerted me about this super tale.




Why I like this book:  Remember my review of Wolf! Wolf!? Perhaps I'm just a John Rocco fan, but I think he's got another superstar! In a stylish look reminiscent of an old comic book, this fun new title will give kids a humorous glimpse at the idea that a superpower can come from something external, like hair.

Explore the following with your superheros:  
What do the kids think about Rocco? 
Is his superhero ability really in his hair? 
How do they know?
What does Barber of Doom mean?
What's a villain's lair?
How about dastardly devil?
How are the heroes changed without their hair?
What do you notice about the little girl in the background?
How did the boys help her?
How did she help the boys?
Would it be fair to say that empathy is her superpower?
Then extend it:
What do you think about when you hear the term superhero?
Who is your superhero?
What is his/her superpower?

There's a built-in talking point for enrichment; 
find out what they think about the possibility that 
not all super heroes use their superpowers for good.
It might also be a good time for a graphic organizer comparing some of the old Comic Book superheroes to today's. 
How are they the same?
How are they different?

Do yourself a favor and put this super book in your orbit today!

And don't forget to stop by Super Susanna's blog 
to see everybody else's PPBF picks for today!   





20 comments

  1. I have to get my hands on this book! It sounds like a MUST read. And I love all your questions to go with it. IF we can answer those we know a lot about our super power.

    This book is reminiscent of SAMPSON in the Bible who got his strength from his hair.

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    1. I totally thought Sampson, too ... thanks for stopping by and making that connection!

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  2. Sounds like a SUPER book! I'm going to have to think about what my superpower is. It's a lot easier to think of the superpowers of other people. (That might be fun, asking kids what other kids' superpowers are... but they'd have to choose positive ones, or it could devolve into something one wasn't intending.)

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    1. It's an interesting reflection, what your superpower is! Last year we asked our parents what their child's superpower is and we got some AmAzInG responses. Thanks, Beth, for stopping by.

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  3. I like Rocco's books too! But I don't know this one - off to the library!

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    1. Julie, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I hop your library has a copy!!

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  4. Clever! Reminds me of the story of Samson in the Bible. Thanks for sharing this one!

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    1. Thanks for coming by the Corner ... there's that Sampson connection again. I think you'll love this one!!

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  5. I was just introduced to John's work this summer. This sounds like another winner. Thanks, Barbara.

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    1. My pleasure, Joanne. You are correct; it's a winner in sooooo many ways!

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  6. I too am a Rocco fan. And I love the questions you pose at the end of this review!

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    1. Thank you, Joanna. I love coming up with questions to get our little superheroes thinking. I'm especially intrigued by how Rocco uses the little sister with big hair to set up a situation so the boys are still super, even without their hair.

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  7. I just love this book! My grades 1 and 2 kids have thoroughly enjoyed it. Just asking them to name superheroes and superpowers is all the hook you need. In my lesson I lead them to the understanding that the superheroes they name are fantasy which is created for our entertainment, but they are real superheroes with real superpowers and real friends in a real school with a real mission to make our school the best place to be. (One of them told me I used the word "real" a lot!) When Rocco and his friend realize the same thing, we always get a big cheer and then they proudly come up with all the superpowers Rocco and his friends have, plus add their own. Then we celebrate our students real superpowers by dancing interpretively to superpower theme music before completing the reflection sheet. Too. Much. Fun. (I think I love the book so much I'm going to use it with third graders and have them create their own comic strip about their superpower. I never get tired of reading it!)

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    1. Lisa, I appreciate your authentic reflections. Oh how I wish I were a fly on the wall in your office and watch that interpretive dance!! You amaze and inspire me. Thanks for your lead on this SUPER title!

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  8. Oh, how very "Samson" to have superpower hair. This looks like a fun one.

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    1. You are right about that ... it is a fun premise with a serious side. Brilliant!

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  9. This looks like a wonderful book with a lovely underlying message, Barbara, and your resources and questions are fantastic as always! Thanks so much for sharing! :)

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    1. Thank you, Susanna, for hosting PPBFs and for stopping by to leave kind comments. I truly look forward to Fridays when our picks post!

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  10. I am a big Rocco fan and I don't know how I missed this one. What fun for kids. I always love your picks. And you gave such great activities.

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  11. This one looks really fun!! I have a super power tail! Thanks for sharing all your fun resource material. It all looks great.

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!