J.D. and the Hair Show Showdown
By (Author) J. Dillard
Illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts
3
Penguin Young Readers
Penguin Young Readers
16th February 2022
United States
Children
Fiction
813.6
Hardback
128
Width 146mm, Height 219mm, Spine 13mm
241g
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
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 storys 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
J. Dillard (known as the "Barberpreneur") is a former managing partner for ConAllegiance, a consulting firm based out of Atlanta, Georgia. He is a master barber, a certified consultant, and an industry leader who started cutting his own hair at the age of ten. After many trials and tribulations, 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.