Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

The barbershop is a transformative place for boys, where they enter as ordinary and leave as royalty, feeling more confident and aware of their potential. The experience of getting a fresh haircut makes them feel like they can achieve anything, from better grades to increased attention and affection. This book is a celebration of this empowering experience, particularly for young black boys, and emphasizes the importance of having it available in various community spaces. The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother's hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is a celebration of the way boys feel when they leave the barber's chair.