Almost nobody is neutral about a haircut. Some children climb into the chair like they own the shop and swivel toward the mirror at the end to admire the results; others have to be carried in, held still, and paid in lollipops. Then there is the third kind, who settles the matter privately one afternoon with the kitchen scissors and turns up at breakfast with a fringe an inch long. Picture-book authors know all three. The shelf has monsters getting trimmed by moonlight, sheep who hide from the shears, a boy who wears a paper bag to school for a week, and one small lion who is not scared, thank you — he simply likes his hair the way it is.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of haircut books, our editors picked twelve worth reading before, during, or immediately after the appointment: board books short enough to finish in the waiting room, funny read-alouds for the child who has already announced they are not going, chapter books about kids who decided to cut hair themselves, and the best barbershop picture book anyone has written. Start with the shortlist, then browse board books for a first haircut, picture books for the read-aloud years, and chapter books for readers going it alone.
Twenty minutes in the barber’s chair, and a boy walks back onto the sidewalk feeling like the most important person on the block.
A small lion is not worried about the barber. He is not scared, either. He simply likes his hair the way it is.
Junie B. decides she is going to be a beauty shop guy, and begins practicing on the nearest available head — her own.
Once a month, under a full moon, the barber’s son opens up the shop for a very different set of customers.
The night before third grade, J.D.’s mom gives him the worst haircut of his life. So he teaches himself to do better.
Every animal on the farm turns up with a smart new look. Wally the sheep hides behind the barn.
Miles goes to the barbershop with his dad for the first time, certain the clippers are going to hurt.
Rocco is certain his powers come from his hair. Then his mother takes him to the barber.
A traveling barber cuts hair out of a bag all over the county, saving for thirty years toward a shop of his own.
Josh wears a paper grocery bag over his head all day and will not tell anyone why.
It is picture day, your llama is a shaggy disaster, and you have one comb and no time.
Karen asks for a glamorous new haircut. The lady at the beauty parlor cuts it completely wrong.
Short, sturdy trips to the barber chair for the youngest customers, ages 0–4.
A young lion faces his first haircut adventure.
Make a toddler's first haircut fun with an interactive board book adventure.
Lambs get spring haircuts, but a snowy surprise leaves them shivering.
Barbershop visits, flat refusals, shearing day on the farm, and haircuts that went badly wrong, for ages 3–8.
Florence's hair makeover leads to unexpected results. Will she embrace her true self?
A boy faces his fear of the barbershop with his father's support.
Explore the fun and versatility of hair with delightful characters.
A monster's wild hair becomes a problem he can't ignore.
Sheep's wool is too fluffy, causing chaos. Can Sheep Dog convince her to get a trim?
Discover the untold truth behind Rapunzel's tower imprisonment.
A girl in a tower, a witch's command, a life-changing visitor.
A monkey barber faces his toughest challenge: styling an elephant with no hair. Can he find a solution?
A gnome without a beard discovers self-acceptance in a whiskerless world.
Blue Bison's hair grows wild as he learns patience in a world of closed barber shops.
A haircut leaves Molly questioning her identity and appearance.
A haircut turns into an unexpected adventure.
Kid barbers, ruined bangs, and beauty-parlor disasters for readers ages 6–10.
A young girl navigates the challenges of childhood, including friendship, family, and growing up, while also learning about the power of imagination and the importance of believing in oneself.
Magic brush stolen, fashion chaos ensues. Can two friends save the day?
A magical mishap leaves Katie in a hairy predicament before the big concert.
Can Billie master the art of real haircuts beyond her dolls?
A young girl navigates the challenges of growing up and finding her place in the world
Two teens find guidance and hope in a Harlem barbershop.
A boy finds a portal in a barbershop and becomes a legendary hero.
Young barber J.D. faces new challenges at a big Atlanta hair show.
Two siblings with big dreams team up to conquer the hair world.
