Review: Barnes, D. D., & James, G. C. (2017). Crown: An ode to the fresh cut.
Barnes, D. D., & James, G. C. (2017). Crown: An ode to the fresh cut. Chicago: Bolden, an Agate imprint.
What makes a young black boy feel “so fly,” like a genius, like “a brilliant, blazing star”? According to our rhythmic narrator of this poem in a picture book, nothing more so than a fresh cut. The brilliant full-page illustrations depict his afternoon in the neighborhood barbershop, a.k.a. “the shop,” as well as his fantasies as he imagines his future awards, accolades, and all the attention he will soon receive from others. Done in oil paintings, the artwork further presents an array of graceful skin tones, and contemporary African-American hairstyles with which some readers may not be familiar.
In a note from the author, Barnes relates his own cultural childhood experience with his barber at “the shop,” noting the importance of young boys being part of the “conversations and company of hardworking black men from all walks of life.” This story truly illustrates the need of all children to look in the mirror and have a positive self image; everyone needs to feel good about themselves, as well as feel accepted and valued by the world.
In addition to being on the current Texas Bluebonnet Award list, this Ode has accumulated an impressive number of awards, including being winner of the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers, a Newbery Honor Book, a Caldecott Honor Book, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award Book, an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book, and a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Book.
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