Big Bouffant by Kate Hosford

Big BouffantAnnabelle’s first day of school was the same old thing, “ponytails and braids”. She wanted something new and different from everyone else. When she looks at her grandmother’s picture an idea forms and Annabelle is determined to have a big bouffant when she goes to school tomorrow!

Big Bouffant is a great picture book to cuddle together to read at home or for a classroom read aloud. I love Annabelle’s enthusiasm to be herself in a very unique way. I don’t think too many young people would even know what a bouffant is let alone want to wear one.

This story can be paired with Robert Munsch’s Stephanie’s Ponytail where everyone copied Stephanie’s daily new hair styles. I think Annabelle would have gotten along well with Stephanie since they both enjoy being individuals in a crowd. My daughter, who is now 12 years old, and I loved rereading Stephanie’s Ponytail. I can see Big Bouffant would have been a favorite too. It could also be paired with The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School by Laurie Halse Anderson, another fun story about hair.

Big Bouffant is a great picture book for classroom and at home discussions about not always having the “need” to follow the crowd. The book also shows how Annabelle didn’t care if other students laughed at her new hairdo and she was willing to share her new idea with others as well. Even a few of the boys came to school with “hair combed tall”. Annabelle is happy in her own skin which is a great message for any young (or older) person.

Big Bouffant is a must have fun rhyming book for any library collection. It is an entertaining way to show self esteem and individuality with rhyme and great illustrations.