Bugs In My Hair?!

by Catherine Stier, Tammie Lyon (Illustrator)

Overview

Best Children's Books of the Year 2009, Bank Street College

When Alex spills milk on his football jersey and Morgan's braid unravels, they both say, "These things happen." But Ellie LaFleur, who is practically perfect, sniffs, "Not to me." And it's true. Ellie’s nails are always filed, her clothes are snazzy, and her long locks are lovely. So when Ellie’s head begins to itch, she’s sure it’s an allergy.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE BUGS IN MY HAIR?!” blurts Ellie when her mother and the school nurse give her the bad news: Ellie has head lice. “These things happen,” says Ellie’s mother. At home, Ellie and her mother talk to the doctor and read the papers from the school nurse. Then they shampoo, comb, and do laundry. Ellie even writes a note for kids who get head lice—“These things happen,” it says.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807592564
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	03/01/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Catherine Stier is the author of more than 20 children's books including the Science Makes it Work picture book series and the Kirkus star-reviewed A Dog's Day chapter book series. She holds a master’s degree in reading and literacy and has served as a magazine writer, newspaper columnist, and writing instructor. Stier resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Tammie Lyon has illustrated more than 50 books for children. She began illustrating at a very young age while drawing at the kitchen table with her dad. She lives in Ohio with her husband and loves to spend the day in her studio with her dog, Gus.

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 3- When a visit to the school nurse confirms that lice have invaded the pretty hair of "Absolutely Perfect" Ellie, the third grader is horrified-this type of thing doesn't happen to her, she reasons. Ellie and her mom head home to treat the problem, but during the long process Ellie gets so bored that she begins to read the paperwork the nurse gave them. Armed with the not-so-scary facts, she drafts a letter for other kids to reassure them that lice can happen to anyone, and that they are relatively easy to get rid of. When Ellie goes back to school, the nurse loves the letter and distributes copies of it. Stier has taken a difficult topic and turned it into a charming story that demystifies the fears and false information surrounding lice infestation. The writing is stylized yet not overdone and comes across simply without sounding didactic. Cartoon illustrations capture Ellie's emotions as she goes from feeling grossed out to upset, sullen, and, finally, elated to be free of the bugs. The letter is presented at the end of the book; it is hand-printed on sheets of notebook paper and illustrated, adding to the lighthearted approach to a topic that causes many children-and their parents-angst.-Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

School Library Journal

Best Children's Books of the Year 2009, Bank Street College

"Stier has taken a difficult topic and turned it into a charming story that demystifies the fears and false information surrounding lice infestation. The writing is stylized yet not overdone and comes across simply without sounding didactic."—School Library Journal

"Meticulously groomed Ellie is distraught to learn she has lice, but she uses the unpleasant experience to learn about lice and share the information with her friends. Cartoon drawings capture the range of Ellie's emotions as she deals with her unwelcome visitors. Her advice letter to the 'kid who just found out you have lice' sums up the facts."—The Horn Book Guide

"Educational without being boring, this is a perfect book for schools to keep on hand when the lice strike in first or second grade. A note to grown-ups at the beginning of the book explains current treatment for lice, reassuring them that lice happens even to those of us who are prissy and perfect."—Children's Literature

From the Publisher