DAVE’S HAIRCUT

In a trite episode aimed at shaggy readers convinced that any haircut’s a bad haircut, Burnard offers a just-beyond-easy reader that smacks of graphic novel shrunk to fit the intended audience. Dave’s mom can’t get him to try a new barber until he’s chopped at his thatch himself, with predictably awful results. Festooning retro, two-color cartoons with large, hand-drawn words and dialogue balloons, Burnard sends his weedy preteen, head in a bag, to a friendly traditional barber, who gives him a natty ’do that, contrary to his whiny expectations, makes him an instant hit and fashion plate at school. Kathleen Krull’s Clip, Clip, Clip (2002) or Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s Baghead (2002) treat this common domestic crisis less heavy-handedly. (Picture book. 7-9)