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Title details for Crown by Derrick Barnes - Available

Crown

An Ode to the Fresh Cut

by Derrick Barnes
Corey Allen
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother's hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair-a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That's where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    January 1, 2019

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781980026730
      • File size: 2671 KB
      • Duration: 00:05:33

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      In a voice that fairly swaggers, narrator Corey Allen captures the rhythm of CROWN, an exuberant tale about the transformative power of a fresh haircut. Allen celebrates along with the hero of this story, an African-American boy who revels in the joy and confidence occasioned by a trip to the barbershop. Allen's expert narration dovetails perfectly with the beat of Barnes's words and the potency of Gordon James's bold oil-based illustrations of the print edition. Precisely timed pauses, drawn-out words--"Girllll . . . he's so fine!"--and other exclamations add a vibrant audio dimension. At the story's close, listeners will nod their heads in understanding, rejoicing in the much-deserved pride this young man feels as he emerges into the world with a crisp new cut. S.A.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from August 28, 2017
      How good can a haircut make a person feel? “Magnificent. Flawless. Like royalty.” In a powerfully moving tribute to barbershop culture, Barnes (We Could Be Brothers) addresses readers directly—and it’s safe to say his audience is primarily boys of color—using hyperbole to boost their confidence and help them recognize their own value. “You came in as a lump of clay,” he writes, “a blank canvas, a slab of marble./ But when my man is done with you,/ they’ll want to post you up in a museum.” Created with thick, forceful daubs of paint, James’s luminous portraits reinforce the idea that, when a person looks this good, not even the sky is the limit. Of a man admiring the curving designs newly shaved into his head, the narrator remarks, “Maybe there’s a river named after him on Mars. He looks that important.” Pride, confidence, and joy radiate from the pages, both in the black and brown faces of men, women, boys, and girls featured in Barnes’s majestic paintings, and in writing that celebrates human worth with every syllable. Barbers included: “Tip that man! Tip that man!” Ages 3–8.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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