This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
For Neil and Michael —C.T. To us. All of us. To the understanding that listening to others & embracing our own wonderful wacky selves helps everyone grow. Well wishes out there, sprout. —J.Y. The illustrations for this book were made with a head-scratching sketchbook spree, a great many hours in Photoshop, and a plentiful dash of excitement. Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4197-4588-1 Text © 2023 Christian Trimmer Illustrations © 2023 J Yang Book design by Hana Anouk Nakamura and Heather Kelly Published in 2023 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Abrams Books for Young Readers are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below. Abrams® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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Words by Christian Trimmer Pictures by J Yang This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
ABRAMS BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS | NEW YORK
Noah’s birthday was just around the corner.
To make sure he got what he wanted, he planted subtle hints.
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“I really want
THIS,”
he told his mom.
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“I really, really have to have
THAT,”
he said to his dad.
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“And
THIS?” he cried to his sister.
“Come on—I’ll die if I don’t get it!” But the thing Noah wanted more than anything . . .
WAS LONG HAIR. Long, beautiful, wavy hair. Hair that he could braid and twist and pile on top of his head.
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Hair that he could toss back and forth during dance parties with his dad. This is an advance, uncorrected proof.
Hair that would catch the wind and flow Not for resale, duplication, or in
reposting. not quote without a magical trainPlease behinddo him. comparison to the finished book.
Hair so thick and long that he could hang from trees with it.
But all Noah’s hair would do is this.
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And this.
Each morning, he’d watch as his sister pulled her locks into a tight ponytail. (It was always off-center, which made Noah cringe.)
And each night, he’d quietly observe his mother as she brushed her hair.
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He loved weekends best. On Saturday mornings, his sister would let him braid her hair before she headed off to soccer. In the safety of his sister’s room, Noah would don his favorite T-shirt.
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And on Saturday nights, he would stroke his mom’s hair as the family watched a movie. But oh, to have long hair of his very own!
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Noah understood that if he just didn’t get a haircut, his hair would get longer. But something kept him from asking his parents if he could let his hair grow.
Maybe it was because he once heard some people say mean things about This is an advance, uncorrected proof. men with long hair. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Or maybe it was because almost every boy he knew had short hair. His dad had short hair. So did his grandpa, his uncle, his cousin, his second cousin, his teacher, the mailman, the guyThis who is bagged the groceries, an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale,induplication, and pretty much everyone his class. or
reposting. Please do not quote without
The principal at school to hadthe hair so short, he was bald! comparison finished book.
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And even though his down-the-street neighbor and one of his friends from tennis camp had long hair, he just didn’t think he was allowed to ask for it.
So, with a heavy heart, Noah gave his wish list to his mom, and then he left with his dad to get his birthday haircut.
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As Noah climbed into the seat, the barber—who also had short hair—asked, “What’ll it be?”
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Noah wanted to scream, “Don’t cut any of my hair!” But the words wouldn’t find their way out of his mouth. He heard his dad say, “He’ll have the usual.”
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When the barber was done, Noah couldn’t help it— he burst into tears.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
That night, after his bath, he wrapped a towel around his head the way he’d seen his mom do. He liked the way it looked.
And the next morning at breakfast, he wore his favorite T-shirt downstairs for the first time ever.
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On his birthday, Noah woke up excited, because— let’s be real—it was his birthday!
His grandma got him
THIS,
and the neighbors got him
THAT.
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But what was in this box? He couldn’t believe his sister actually got him
THIS. This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Noah ripped off the ribbon and tore open the wrapping paper. And in the box, he discovered something so magnificent, so marvelously fabulous:
A WIG.
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“It’s gorgeous!” Noah cried.
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He put it on and raced to look in a mirror.
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“I’M GORGEOUS!” he declared.
After Noah’s mom and dad showed him how to put the wig on properly, he braided it and twisted it and piled it on top of his head.
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And then he and his dad and everyone else had a dance party where they tossed their hair back and forth.
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He was not able to hang from a tree with it. Still, it was the best birthday ever.
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Exactly one year later, Noah hopped into This is an advance, uncorrected the car to go get his proof. Not for resale, duplication, or birthday haircut. reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
As he climbed into the barber’s chair, the barber asked, “What’ll it be?” Noah replied,
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“Just a little off the ends, please!”
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CONVERSATION STARTERS The Good Hair Day touches on themes of gender, identity, and self-expression. We encourage you to explore these topics with your child to promote inclusivity, acceptance, and respect for others.
Hair can look and be styled in many different ways. How do people you know wear their hair? How do you like to wear your hair? Are there other styles you might like to try someday? Can anyone choose to cut their hair short or grow their hair long? Why or why not? What are some other ways that people can express themselves through their style? (Hint: clothing, jewelry, accessories.) What are some ways that you are different from other kids your age? What are some ways you are the same? This is an advance, uncorrected proof.
Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without favorite activity, or paint with your favorite color because of your gender? comparison to the finished book.
How might you feel if you weren’t allowed to play your favorite sport, participate in your
What are some ways that you can get to know and include a new friend who may seem very different from you at first?
Tips and conversation starters written by Dr. Danielle Vrieze, child psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.