Title: Hair for Mama
Author(s): Kelly Tinkham
Illustrator/Photographer: Amy Bates
Publisher and Year: Penguin Young Readers 2007
Number of pages: 32
Genre: Non-Fiction, Family
Analysis:
1) Summary:
The book is about an African American family’s mom having cancer and she loses her hair. They take family picture every year but she is uncomfortable because she has no hair. The son tries to come up with ideas to make her feel comfortable enough to take pictures with the family.
2) Theoretical Framework:
On the front cover, there is an African American boy in front of a barbershop. The first picture is of the whole family pre-cancer stage for the mother. She has a head full of hair. They take family pictures every year and that was last years. Next, the mom walks her son to school with a skull cap on to hide her baldness. Half through the book, the mother head is finally shown. She did not want to take family pictures this year because she was ashamed of her head. Then, the next picture was of her trying on a wig in front of the kids which it seemed like they were having a good time. Next thing, the boy was getting his haircut and was supposed to get his regular hair but got it bald instead. He did this because he wanted to save his hair to give to his mom since he promised her hair. But the sweeper had cleaned it up and the boy was very upset. The father came in to check up on him and saw what was done to his head, the boy explained and the father wasn’t angry. The boy was sad he went home to tell his mother. I felt that she was so touch by what he was trying to do for her just so she could take a picture that she decided to take the pictures. The little boy had thought that if she had hair that meant that she was getting better.
3) Illustrations:
The illustrations matched with the narrative great. The images are very touchy and unique. Its linings is very unique.
4) Commentary:
The author explains that the book was the conversation she had with her son when she was diagnosed with cancer.