Mop Top

Mop Top follows a young boy named Marcus who refuses haircuts and proudly sports an unruly mop of hair. His mother urges him to visit the barber, but Marcus has other ideas about his growing locks. The story tracks Marcus's experiences as he navigates daily life with his increasingly wild hairstyle. His encounters at home, in public, and at school shape his perspective on personal appearance and self-expression. Through Marcus's journey with his hair, Freeman presents a tale about independence, identity, and the natural tensions between children's desires and parental expectations. The simple narrative speaks to universal childhood experiences of asserting autonomy over one's appearance.

Parents and children connect with the relatable story about a boy's resistance to haircuts. Readers note the book helps prepare kids for their own haircut experiences and addresses common childhood anxieties. Likes: - Clear, simple illustrations that capture emotions - Message about personal grooming without being preachy - Humor that appeals to both parents and children - Historical value showing 1960s barbershop culture Dislikes: - Some find the ending too abrupt - A few readers mention the dated illustrations and settings - Limited appeal beyond the specific haircut situation Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (236 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (76 ratings) Reader comments: "Helped my 3-year-old understand why we need haircuts" - Amazon reviewer "The barbershop scenes brought back memories" - Goodreads reviewer "Could use more resolution at the end" - Goodreads reviewer "My son asks for this book every time before a haircut" - Amazon reviewer

No David! by David Shannon A child tests his mother's patience with unruly behavior and untamed hair.

I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley A young girl discovers pride in her natural hair through different hairstyles and family traditions.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst A boy experiences a series of misfortunes that start with waking up with gum in his hair.

Duck Hair Do by Dawn McMillan A duck pursues different hairstyles at the salon to find the right look.

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino A boy faces reactions from classmates when he expresses himself through his clothing choices.

🌟 Author Don Freeman worked as a jazz musician in the 1930s, playing trumpet to support himself while studying art in New York City 🌟 The book was published in 1955, during a time when children's haircuts were often strictly regulated by parents and schools 🌟 Don Freeman created the beloved character Corduroy Bear in 1968, several years after writing Mop Top, and both books deal with themes of self-acceptance 🌟 The main character's unruly hair situation was inspired by Freeman's own son Roy, who disliked getting haircuts as a child 🌟 The book's illustrations showcase Freeman's signature style of using charcoal and watercolor together, a technique he developed while working as a stage artist for Broadway shows