Mr. Fiorello's head

Hair loss offers an intriguing way for Ruiz (A Gift from Abuela) to tackle themes of change, loss, and acceptance in this moving picture book. Mr. Fiorello, a pale-skinned man with round, rosy cheeks and "thick, lush, curly locks," loves his hair--in one spread, he sits on the side of a bathtub, carefully brushing it out. But sometimes, "the things we care about the most, the things we never want to see gone, leave anyway." Print-style artwork shows the trees outside Mr. Fiorello's window losing their leaves, then pans to a new version of Mr. Fiorello, who sports a ponytail at the back of his head and three unruly hairs on top. A comic sequence details the measures he takes to vanquish the three rebel strands ("He tried mowing them down"). Resignation brings, strangely enough, the rebellious hairs' quiet disappearance, and this life change inspires a new, growth-centered hobby. Geometric shapes in pinks and greens give toylike lightness to the images, while a lengthy page count allows Ruiz space to explore Mr. Fiorello's arc through the loss of an important part of his identity--and the introspection and change that result. Ages 6--9. (Oct.)

Hair today, gone tomorrow. Mr. Fiorello once had lush, curly hair on which he lavished loving attention. Alas, over time, his locks and scalp parted ways, leaving only three long strands atop his pate. (He still retains a ponytail.) One might think Mr. Fiorello would be pleased to still possess some hairs, but while he admires their tenacity, he wants them gone. He tries various methods to lose the stragglers; nothing works. One strategy finally succeeds: When he ignores and accepts the hairs and lets go of what's beyond his control, voila! the hairs disappear. Mr. Fiorello cries, though whether from happiness or grief, he's unsure. A glance out his window assures him it's time for new things to grow, so, applying the painstaking effort he once devoted to his former crowning glory, Mr. Fiorello creates something wondrous in his yard, revealed via an eye-popping gatefold for appreciative neighbors and readers to savor. This is a sweet, simple, quirky story. Children may not have regarded hair growth as analogous to other things' growth, an idea worth exploring. Lofty ideas--i.e., acceptance of things that can't be changed and learning to let them go--may fly over kids' heads. Adults might frown at promulgating the notion that ignoring worries makes them vanish. Still, the lively illustrations are appealing and imaginative; rotund, mustachioed Mr. Fiorello is light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.) It's not what's on your head that's important. It's what's inside--and in your heart--that counts. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.