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WHAT DID PINNY DO? by Nechama Sittner

WHAT DID PINNY DO?

An Upsherin Story

by Nechama Sittner ; illustrated by Tova Leff

Pub Date: April 8th, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-929628-72-8
Publisher: Hachai

For some people, a haircut qualifies as a rescue mission.

Pinny has more toys than any child in picture books. He’s got a tunnel the length of his room, a dump truck large enough to ride in and a toy sheep that—in Leff’s illustrations—is more expressive than most adults. The only trouble is, he can’t see any of them. His bangs are so long they almost reach his nose. (He looks a little like Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club.) His family has tried clips and ponytail holders, but they never last beyond the end of playtime. Fortunately, Pinny is turning 3, and, like many Orthodox boys, he’s ready for his upsherin party. That means he gets to sit in a tall chair while his relatives give him his first haircut. A child who isn’t sure what an upsherin is may not be the audience for this book, but more-observant Jews will keep reading, if only to see what toy shows up next. This is the rare picture book whose endnotes are just as interesting as the story: Some teachers spread honey on letters of the alphabet, so the 3-year-old can experience the sweetness of learning.

Pinny is young enough that a haircut can still be fun, and readers will be as delighted as he is.

(glossary) (Picture book. 3-6)