Uncle Jed's Barbershop

I was personally encouraged and touched by Uncle Jed's story. And, as a single mom who struggled to raise four children, I know how important it is to believe in your dream. But, even so, I think of my father who is now in his seventies, and could be encouraged by Uncle Jed. What is important about Uncle Jed is that in spite of very discouraging circumstances, circumstances that would cause others to become bitter or to make excuses for not attaining their dreams, he has faith in his dreams. That faith causes him to pick up and go on. It sustains his selflessness. I see no bitterness, no "poor me" in Uncle Jed. Uncle Jed is a great role model, not just for children, but even for adults who have experienced a lifetime of setbacks and necessary sacrifices. What makes this book doubly significant, is the time in history the book is written. It could be a window for children, a view of how things once were in this country and to get them to think about how these things have impact on what is now. It can, also, help them to think about how things are for others outside of their own personal environment. I plan on buying several copies of this: not just for the kids, but for many of the adults in my family.

Picture books featuring black characters in history come out every year. Mostly these books are either folktales or deal directly with segregation and/or slavery. "Uncle Jed's Barbershop" is a little different. In it, the characters live in the deeply segregated South of the 1930s. Rather than let this be the focus of the book, however, author Margaree King Mitchell has chosen to simply allow this to be the background to the actual story. I appreciated greatly the fact that Mitchell was such an adept writer that she could teach kids history without making that history the focal point of the text. When you add this fact to "Uncle Jed's" emotion packed storyline, you find you've a book that's not only well written and illustrated but also deeply meaningful. Sarah Jean lives with her parents on a farm in the South. Her favorite relative, by far, is her granddaddy's brother, Uncle Jedediah. The only black barber for miles around, Uncle Jed travels from home to home giving haircuts. His dream, however, is to someday have a barbershop of his own with sinks, "so shiny they sparkled, the floor so clean you could see yourself". When little Sarah Jean gets sick and needs an operation, however, Uncle Jed readily parts with the $300 required to make her better. A few years later he saves enough money to buy the land and build a building when the Depression hits. Suddenly all his money is gone and he has to start all over again. Finally, at the grand old age of seventy-nine, his dream becomes a reality. People from all over come to him and the now adult Sarah Jean sits in a seat and lets him twirl her around in a chair. Says Sarah Jean at the end, "Uncle Jed died not long after that, and I think he died a happy man". The final shot is of the autumn leaves falling past a window. Inside, Jed sweeps the floor of the shop that he can now call his own. Much as with his "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" (which this book would pair brilliantly with during a storytime), illustrator James Ransome has done a superb job. To prepare for these pictures, Ransome returned to his hometown in North Carolina, used old photographs of his grandfather's chickens, and included subtle elements that give each scene a sense reality and a flavor of its own. There's a particularly autumnal feeling to this story as well. The book begins with leaves falling and it ends with leaves falling. Using his customary oil paint on paper, even the thickest of Ransome's lines contain enough delicacy to make the pictures seem real. Uncle Jed is a great character in this pages and it's his vibrancy and stoicism that pulls the book together. Mitchell's plot is a good one too. Books with the moral of if-at-first-you-don't-succeed-try-try-again fall into two distinct camps. Either they're schmaltzy goo of the "Little Engine That Could" variety, or they speak to something deep inside of us. "Uncle Jed's" belongs to the latter category. You agonize with Jed when he loses e

This fabulous book stole my heart. I feel so lucky to have a job that allows me to share my love of books with my wonderful students. I do my elementary counseling through children's literature. UNCLE JED'S BARBERSHOP is a book I enjoy reading over and over to kids of all ages. What a marvelous lesson. I think it is important for kids to be reminded of how unfair things were to African Americans many years ago. But the best part of the book reminds us all that if we work hard enough, we can realize our dream. Even after reading this book to six different classes in one day, I still cry my eyes out on the last few pages--the most perfect ending!

This story is an historical fiction account of an African American family who struggles during the Depression. This is a great book to teach: economics--scarcity of money affects decisions; perseverence; work ethics.

I USED THIS TEXT WHEN I DID AN PROGRAM AT MY 5 1/2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH. THE TEACHER WAS SO IMPRESSED THAT SHE ADDED THE BOOK TO THE LIBRARY INSIDE THE CLASSROOM. THE BOOK ILLISTRATES THAT NO MATTER HOW A SITUATION LOOKS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, YOU CAN REACH YOUR DREAM. AFTER READING THIS BOOK IN THE BOOKSTORE, I HAD TO BUY IT BECAUSE EVERY YEAR, I INTEND TO USE IT IN MY PROGRAM.