J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown

by J. Dillard, Akeem S. Roberts (Illustrator)

Overview

Eight-year-old kid barber J.D. takes his talent to an Atlanta hair show in this illustrated chapter book and follow-up to J.D. and the Great Barber Battle.

At only eight years old, J.D. the Kid Barber has already won a barber battle and appeared on local TV. Now he’s the youngest barber to be invited to the Beauty Brothers Hair Expo in Atlanta! J.D. gets the VIP treatment—he takes his first flight, rides in a limo for the first time, and gets gifts from the show’s sponsors. At the show, there are hair classes to take, product samples to try, and some of J.D.’s favorite hair influencers to meet. And, of course, there’s his own demo alongside kid hairstylist, Isabel Is Incredible. But what J.D. is most excited about is snapping a pic with eleven-year-old rap sensation Li’l Eazy Breezy, which is harder than it sounds! The world of hair and beauty is so much bigger than J.D. could’ve imagined, and he’s ready to step up his game.
 
Check out the other chapter books in the J.D. the Kid Barber series:
J.D. and the Great Barber Battle
J.D. and the Family Business

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593111604
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	11/16/2021
Series:	J.D. the Kid Barber , #3
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	242,229
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

J. Dillard (known as the "Barberpreneur") is a master barber, a certified consultant, and an industry leader who started cutting his own hair at the age of ten. He began cutting hair professionally in 1999 and became a shop owner while attending college at Tuskegee University in Alabama. He travels the country with his clients as a personal barber and calls Atlanta home. This is his first book series for children.

Akeem S. Roberts is an illustrator based in Brooklyn. He works as an in-house animator for Holler Studios and contributes cartoons regularly to The New Yorker. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. When Akeem is not working, he likes to make comics about his day-to-day life on Instagram @AkeemTeam.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for J.D. and the Great Barber Battle:

★"A surefire win of a read expressly made for young Black boys to cherish."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Dillard has a sharp ear for dialogue, and J.D.’s conversational narration paired with the story’s gentle humor and perfectly placed pop culture references will ensure a wide appeal. Akeem S. Roberts’ cartoon-style illustrations of J.D. and his friends are packed with personality and make this a great choice for readers transitioning into chapter books. The first book in a planned series, J.D. and the Great Barber Battle feels like a winner.” 
—BookPage
 
"The African American cultural references and community values will resonate with readers of all ages, while the joyful, wholesome story will give them something to look forward to in subsequent entries."
—The Horn Book

From the Publisher

12/01/2021

Gr 1–3—The third installment of the series finds the eight-year-old kid barber headed to Atlanta to appear as a young social media star in a hair show. While he is nervous, he is guided by his mother and a variety of other mentors. This joyful beginning chapter book showcases and enthusiastically celebrates Black hair and hair culture by focusing on barbers and hairdressers and the serious work and artistry they bring to their trade. The book is full of black-and-white illustrations, some full page and some partial page, that capture the jubilance of the characters. The only drawback is a simplistic plot. There is no real conflict or moment when readers believe things won't turn out well for J. D. However, the book is full of humor and realistic kid moments, even in the middle of what feels like wish fulfillment of social media stardom and amazing experiences. VERDICT An upbeat and funny beginning chapter book celebrating Black hair culture, this is a whimsical addition to most libraries.—Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage P.L., AK

School Library Journal

2021-10-13
In this third installment of the J.D. the Kid Barber series, J.D. takes his newfound viral fame on the road thanks to a sponsored invitation to Atlanta’s Beauty Brothers Hair Expo.

This bighearted series explores the business pursuit of a young Black barber and his impressive skill set. Into this illustrated chapter book Dillard weaves the language and tools of the trade—clippers, guards, and neck strips—and the process of a proper haircut: “I grabbed my clippers and put my 1½ guard on and began to cut with the grain of the hair.” Readers also see J.D. navigate many of the choices involved in maintaining a successful business: engaging with customers’ preferences, developing an inventive and unique service style, and exploring strategies that allow for increased efficiency. On the family front, J.D. is reunited with his father; the two often speak, but since J.D.’s parents separated, visits between father and son have been less frequent. Readers will be eager to see if J.D. will make the most of an opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage—and with one of his favorite kid rappers, Li’l Eazy Breezy, watching from the audience. The book, like the series thus far, understands that being a barber in a Black community can serve as a significant role of influence, and the book imparts some important lessons about following one’s passions.

A celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit with swag and style. (Fiction. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews