March 6, 2017

Hair history

Big Wig: A Little History of Hair
by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Peter Malone


Hair.  We grow it, cut it, tease it, shampoo it, condition it, style it …. It can take a lot of work! But our hair is a key part of our identity, and has been since the beginning of time. Taking a look back at past hairstyles and haircare regimens reveals some pretty gross and bewildering things. Like using lead or acid as hair dye, wearing giant wigs, or weaving in live birds as decoration! Even men got into the act, with their powdered wigs and cures for baldness. Imagine rubbing goat pee or pigeon poop on your head!

Krull presents these and other disgusting facts in brief, entertaining snippits, with even more short facts in the endnotes, which she cleverly calls “hair extensions.” The subject matter naturally calls for comical illustrations, ably created by the sly and witty Malone.

Definitely hair-raising!




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