Wally Does Not Want a Haircut

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 8, 2017

Review

Wally sheep does not need (want)a haircut. Even though it gathers greenery, keeps him from dancing in the hoedown and separates him from giving mama a hug, he cannot be convinced. All the barnyard animals display various updos, spikes and braids after they show him how their haircut does not hurt. He finally agrees when his meltdown lands him stuck by his bushy wool in a haystack. All ends well after a few painless snips and he is able to hug his mama. Driscoll's enthusiastic sheep are created using pencil sketches painted in Adobe Photoshop. Wally's wool has wild texture with leaves, twigs and stringy wool among the fluff. The text provides sounds like "Swicka! Swicka!", Bzzt! Bzzt!" in various large fonts across the page demanding the reader to exaggerate the sounds. Why would Wally want a haircut when that is going on? Useful for story times themes about farm, hygiene and friendship or for instigating a discussion with a wee one who relates to Wally.

Overall Book Score: good