Written by Jonathan Eig
Illustrated by Alicia Teba Godoy
Expected publication: October 2020 from Albert Whitman & Co.
Mom's Review
I really enjoyed Some Pigtails. The relationship between Lola and her grandfather – their banter, especially – was my favorite part. In fact, the grandfather was my favorite character. The way he grumbled about pigtails, but created the most outrageous hairstyles every day, and the way he supported Lola when she pushed back against the principal's new ban on wild pigtails, endeared him to me. The love he has for his granddaughter (and his daughter as she starts her new job) is palpable. Aside from the grandfather himself, the humor, the story, and the underlying message make Some Pigtails a book to fly through.
In Some Pigtails, Lola Jones wants her grandfather to style her hair because she is unable to do so herself. What starts as a basic request turns into an epic stand against the Man. Lola's grandfather is an artist who uses Lola's hair as his canvas. Everyone in school loves it, except for the principal, who bans students from wearing their hair in any styles other than traditional, low-hanging ponytails or pigtails (and there had better not be more than 2 pigtails!). Lola finds the new rule unfair and meets with the principal to convince him to change his mind. Now, keep in mind that she is only in 3rd grade. When the principal refuses to bend, she thinks she is defeated. Her grandfather, however, nudges her to protest what she sees as an unjust rule. Lola leads fellow students to comply with the letter, but not the spirit, of the dress code. When that has no effect, she circulates a petition which the entire student body and many faculty and staff members sign. The principal is ultimately impressed with her efforts and compromises with four "Spirit Weeks" where the students can style themselves as they please.
Jam-packed with awesome, no? The story unfolds organically, with characters developing realistically. Language is accessible for younger children, but complex enough to captivate an older audience. T and I read this in one day, starting first thing in the morning and coming back to it again and again. That's how compelling it is! We both really enjoyed it, but had different reactions. I read this as an encouragement to pursue justice, effect change where you can, and stand up for yourself. T said it is not a message to do that, it is a story about Lola and her friends wearing crazy pigtails. Regardless of whether you are looking at the specifics of the story or its place in today's political landscape, it's really fun. We'll be looking to read the other Lola Jones book now!
Son's Review
(Age: 5)
T's summary:
The girl likes Grandpa to make her pigtails and they seem really crazy. And she makes a protest, and there's "Days of Distraction." The End.
Did you like it?
*big grin* Yeah! I think it's funny. I like the relationship with Lola and her grandpa, too! It was a good book. It took one day to read. That character that has the really short hair – I just like her. The "Days of Distraction" was funny. I thought Grandpa was really funny. Their jokes are really funny. Like that one where she had to come in, and that one when Grandpa said, "The boat sunk."*
*To paraphrase the joke:
Lola: Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out. Who's left?
Grandpa: Repeat.
Lola: Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out. Who's left?
Grandpa: Repeat.
Lola: Pete and Repeat were in a boat. Pete fell out. Who's left?
Grandpa: The boat sank.
Note: A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
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