Growing Giddo’s Hair by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Milton Bazerque

The latest batch of Ruqaya’s Bookshelf books have arrived at my house, and this was the first book my youngest picked to have read to him.  The book is silly, over the top and an easy read. The little boy shows initiative and creativity in trying to surprise his grandfather by sneakily applying hair regrowing serum on his Gido’s bald head.  It, as expected, causes a bit of mayhem, but I think 4-8 year olds will recognize the comedic intent of it all, as the love Nuh has for his Gido comes through the silliness.  I was a little surprised that it centered a birthday, it isn’t just the setting, it is the  main foundation of the book, and I was also a little surprised that the Muslim authored, Muslim published book, contained no Islam in the text.  The only featured Islam was the mom in hijab in the illustrations.

The book starts with Nuh trying to figure out what to get for his grandfather who is turning 70 in a week.  He contemplates a 70 layer cake with candles, 70 pairs of shoes, even a 70 flower bouquet, but nothing seems right until he stumbles on a picture of his grandfather years ago, when he had hair!  Later that night he sees a TV commercial for hair growth gel, and Nuh knows just what to get and can’t wait for the surprise.  Once it arrives, the biggest obstacle is getting it on Gido’s head without him noticing.  But Gido doesn’t stay still and the hair product has unintended results as it doesn’t just grow on one’s head.

The book in all its silliness, does offer a few “teachable moments” if desired: false advertising, lying, sneaking your parent’s credit card, etc..  My kindergartner thought it was silly, and enjoyed the illustrations.  For the most part so did I, although, the page of the razor shaving the hair on the tongue definitely makes me squirm and my tongue itch…yeah, my son found that pretty funny as well.