Ife's First Haircut

PreS-Gr 1—First word. First steps. First haircut. Onyefulu expertly demonstrates once again that children's milestones are both universal and personal. In this book, she invites readers into a home in Nigeria as a family plans for and then celebrates toddler Ife's first haircut. Told from big sister Chinaza's perspective, the narrative introduces the family members and simply explains the events of the big day: "Then Uncle Mike arrives to cut Ife's hair. He shows Chinaza a comb and a pair of scissors. Chinaza is very excited." The haircut is followed by a party that evening with friends and relatives. Onyefulu's color photographs illustrate the tender story with a portraitlike charm and nearly tell the story on their own. Together with the other books in this series, or in a study of customs and cultures around the world, this title offers teachers an opportunity to foster appreciation for diversity and explore commonalities shared by people worldwide.—Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, MA