Review by Booklist Review
If there are drag queen story hours--and there are--here's the perfect book for one, the affectionate story of a huge, anthropomorphized magenta wig and its owner, a boy named B. B. Bedazzle. B. B., who appears to be about 10, is a drag queen manqué. One fine day, B. B., resplendent in full drag and topped by Wig, is taken by his parents to the Big Wig Ball, where Wig suddenly wigs out at the sight of so many impressive dos. Feeling insecure, Wig zips off B. B.'s head and, failing to find a place to hide, it makes an escape atop unsuspecting heads. Yet, each person who Wig crowns receives a sudden boost in confidence, gradually restoring Wig's faith in its own fabulousness and leading it back to B. B.--just in time to win the ball! Hastings' sprightly, candy-colored pictures nicely capture the spirited tone of the rhyming text. Pair this riotous offering with Lil Miss Hot Mess' The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish (2020) and Desmond Napoles' Be Amazing (2020).
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The fuchsia bouffant wig of a light-skinned child drag queen named B.B. Bedazzle takes the spotlight in this picture book. In rhyming prose, Hillman follows Wig, who feels confident atop B.B.'s head until seeing the more voluminous wigs at the Big Wig Ball, seemingly a contest for young drag queens (with participants of varying skin tone). When Wig flies off of B.B.'s head and onto other kids' pates, each magically feels more confident, and the sentient hairpiece regains self-assurance: "One by one,/ Wig gives them a try./ And all together,/ they help Wig fly!" Though the main takeaway--that Wig is "big enough no matter her size"--feels slightly muddled, the flying wig, portrayed in Hastings's dynamic, vividly hued digital art, entertains. Ages 4--8. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Meet Wig, a sparkling and shiny hair piece owned by B.B. Bedazzle, a young white child with short hair who is only given a pronoun when "she" is in full drag. B.B.'s confidence soars when wearing Wig, and together the duo are planning to compete in a local Big Wig Ball. Upon arrival, B.B. and Wig are in awe of the other competitors' wigs--causing their spirits to deflate. Wig flies off of B.B.'s head, landing on the heads, one by one, of some of the diverse audience members; each person who dons Wig is inspired to pursue their dreams and be a more true version of themselves. Before long, Wig returns to B.B., and the pair earn their prize. The bright, bold illustrations are a major standout. Readers may be confused by some elements of the story, such as the perspective, which shifts from B.B. to Wig throughout, as well as the lack of back matter or information on the art and culture of drag. VERDICT This upbeat, rhyming story will appeal to readers who enjoy playing dress up, even if they are unfamiliar with drag queens or pageants, for its celebratory message of embracing individuality and self-confidence. An additional purchase for larger collections.--Olivia Gorecke, Cape May Cty. Lib., Ocean View, NJ
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A wig feels insignificant until it recalls its purpose. Wig, a bright pink hair covering styled in a Brigitte Bardot--inspired bouffant, is the prized possession of a young boy named B.B. Bedazzle, who is participating in a drag contest called the Big Wig Ball. On the way to the event, Wig attracts attention and feels larger-than-life on B.B.'s head but upon arriving at the ball, suffers a crisis of confidence. Everywhere she looks, there are wigs that are even taller and showier than she is. Feeling intimidated, Wig abandons B.B. and flies through the air, zooming among the heads of audience members. With each head she lands on, Wig's hairstyle changes, and the person is magically transformed into a fearless, glamorous drag queen. By instilling confidence in others, Wig regains her own. Recalling that she has left B.B.'s head bare, "Wig frizzes and fizzles and splits her ends, flying home FAST to find her friend" as the contest begins. Readers will smile at the satisfying ending. Why Wig feels more confident on heads other than B.B's. and how B.B. feels after being temporarily abandoned by Wig are important questions left noticeably unaddressed. While clearly attempting to provide lighthearted encouragement for children who might feel inadequate, the choice of a wig--rather than a drag queen or queer child--as the entry point for empathy and self-reflection leaves much to be desired. Most characters have pale skin, and a few have textured hair and brown skin that cue them as Black. B.B. and B.B.'s parents are White. Let this one sashay away from your shelves. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
