Uncle Jed's Barber Shop

Add to Wishlist

Uncle Jed's Barber Shop

eBook(NOOK Kids)

$7.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

eBook(NOOK Kids)
$7.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.

WANT A NOOK? Explore Now

Buy As Gift

Related collections and offers

Overview

As the only black barber in a county of sharecroppers during the 1920s, Uncle Jed traveled for miles to tend to his customers. Saving his money to build his very own barbershop was a dream that had to be postponed because of his generous heart and the Depression.

Then one glorious day, on his 79th birthday, Uncle Jed finally opened the doors of his new shop. Full color.

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442443648
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	06/28/2011
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	130 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

James E. Ransome’s highly acclaimed illustrations for Knock, Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me won the 2014 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. His other award-winning titles include Coretta Scott King Honor Book Uncle Jed’s Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell; Deborah Hopkinson’s Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt; Let My People Go, winner of the NAACP Image Award; and My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey and Satchel Paige, both written by his wife, Lesa Cline-Ransome. Mr. Ransome teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in upstate New York with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

At age 79, Uncle Jed, after a lifetime of obstacles (including segregation and the Great Depression), finally realizes his dream of owning a barbershop. "Convivial descriptions of family life are enhanced by Ransome's spirited oil paintings," said PW. Ages 4-7. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PreS-Gr 3-Uncle Jed, a black, itinerant barber in the pre-Depression South, dreams of opening his own shop. He saves for years, but first his niece, who narrates the story, needs an operation, and then the bank in which his money is kept fails. The man's spirit never flags, however, and he finally starts his own business at age 79. Sarah Jean, whose life was saved by her uncle's generosity, is by this time a middle-aged adult, and shares in his pleasure. Mitchell's text is eloquent in its simplicity. Straightforward, declarative sentences explain such concepts as segregation and sharecropping without emotional overtones, while her subdued prose makes readers keenly aware of the injustice of segregation. Through Sarah Jean's eyes, readers see both the poverty and discrimination endured and the sense of community and caring shared by her family and friends. Ransome's richly textured oil paintings, uncluttered and direct, beautifully complement the text. These are strong characters captured with forceful brush strokes, yet the illustrations also include such details as a crocheted saddle blanket. Both touching and inspirational, this book is ideal for story hours featuring favorite relatives, and it could start children saving for their own dreams.-Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ

School Library Journal

Set in the 1920s and told from young Sarah Jean's point of view, this story about dreams and determination spotlights segregation. Uncle Jed, the only black barber in the county, walks to his friends and relatives to give haircuts, saving whatever money he can. He dreams of owning a barbershop. When Sarah Jean suddenly needs surgery and the white doctors refuse to operate until they have the cash to pay for it, Uncle Jed provides the money. His dream is postponed again when all his money is lost in a bank failure. Finally, years later at age 79, Uncle Jed opens his shop, and Sarah Jean, now a grown woman, is there to help celebrate. There is a quiet solidarity in the child's fond memories of a favorite relative. Still, the reader wants more. For example, Sarah Jean's surgery is a focal point, yet the author includes few details. The author also understates emotions in a frustrating way. When Uncle Jed learns of the bank failure, the text says of him, "Even though he was disappointed, he would just have to start over again." A real strength is the paintings, which capture memorable characters and family life in the rural South with a warmth and depth that is truly moving. The bright colors and the farm scenes with golden fields as well as those homey indoor family times enhance Mitchell's message. Try reading this picture book to older children.

Deborah Abbott

Related collections and offers

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews