Baghead

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

From the author of Good Night, Monkey Boy , the hilarious tale of a haircut gone awry!
One day Josh had a big, brown bag to wear a paper bag over his head. He thought it was a good idea. His mother did not. Neither did his bus driver, his teacher, or his soccer coach. What could Josh possibly be hiding?
A surprise ending will keep kids giggling–and from taking haircuts into their own hands!

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, School

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holden loved this book. He memorized it for a reading event at Kesterson Elementary School and recited it. He was able to meet the author twice. Once at school and once at a library presentation. He was able to get his book autograhed. It was so good for him to get inspired by an author.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute picture book. The book cover is genius. It all starts off with Josh putting a bag over his head, you don't know the real reason until the very end of the book. Josh had a good reason to wear the bag. Everyone tell hims he can't eat with it, go to school with it, do his book report with it, or play soccer with it but he did. When he takes the bag off his head you learn that he tried to cut his own hair with terrible results. Josh's sister has a brilliant idea and put hair gel in Josh's hair. Josh doesn't have to wear the paper bag on his head again.

Just a cute story

~April

[Jozie Milton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Baghead is about a child that wears a bag over his head for a day of school. Everyone in the school is telling him, no you can't do this but he shows everyone up by doing it perfectly. He doesn't let the negativity of everyone stop him. At the end of the story, we learn that he is wearing the bag because he cut his hair and looked silly. There are a couple of ways you can look at this story, I took it in a "don't let anyone tell you that you can't do anything." I personally didn't think this story was all that good because this is also telling children to hide what they are because people will make fun of you. I think you could read this to your child but it's ok if you don't read it, just depends on what way they portray the story.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't have found a better book at a better time. My daughter decided to give herself a haircut yesterday. She said "Mom something happened to my bangs!"

Today I grabbed this book out of our library basket of books we had checked out to read. Gave the whole family a laugh. Glad to know my daughter isn't the only one.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cut out and made paper "bagheads" for my preschoolers & their storytime today. Something like this: http://thejjkblog.blogspot.com/2010/0... There are some great coloring pages for the book on Jarrett Kosoczka's website here: http://www.studiojjk.com/

[Barb Keister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly book that had me laughing out loud. Also a good writing mentor text showing author's decisions about font, text size, and placement and how they add to the enjoyment of the story.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute picture book has a fun twist and a good message about problem solving and building relationships. One day Josh decides to wear a grocery bag on his head. For the whole day, everyone he encounters throws shade on his choice, telling him why wearing a bag on his head is a bad idea. I like that at dinnertime, his younger sister simply asks him why he was wearing a bag on his head. Wow! It really hit me that the entire day, no one bothered to talk to him or just ask him what was going on. This really has a good lesson about making assumptions about the intentions of others. I also liked that once the sister reached out to build relationship with him, she shared his burden and helped him with his problem. Those that have ever made the unfortunate choice to cut their own hair will also be able to relate to this story!

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick fun read about Josh and him suddenly deciding to wear a paper bag over his head for an entire day. If you look at the title page close enough, you kind of get a hint as to why the paper bag is needed

The cover is very cool with paper that is similar to that of a paper bag with two eye holes cut out so you can see the eyes shinning through.

I guess my biggest question is -- do the kids of today know what a paper bag is? I grew up with paper bags and using them to store things, carry things, and yes...even make crafty things out of. But will it ring true with today's generation??

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book. The young boy decides to wear a paper bag over his head. He wears it all day despite being told he couldn't. At dinner that evening, he reveals that he wore it as he cut his own hair. The younger sister solves the problem with some hair gel the next day.
The illustrations are simple and effective. The text works.
I'm just not sure about the mixed message - stand up for yourself and hide yourself away.

[Maxine Fife · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! I think it had amazing illustrations. This book would be very easy to read for a young child or a child in kindergarten or first grade. I think the way the words in this book are presented would easily keep a young child's interest due to their bright colors and funny shapes. All in all, I think this book would be great for a child to read!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wednesday morning Josh had a very big brown paper bag idea. Everyone said he couldn't do things that way, but he went to school and did fine. It wasn't until at the end of the day that his little sister asked the question no one else had asked. That's when the reader finds out WHY Josh was wearing a paper bag. Thursday morning his sister has an idea. Funny, unexpected ending. Fun illustrations.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a clever concept for a story, but the “big, brown bag idea” is crumpled by the depiction of Josh without eyes and a mouth, which makes him look somewhat sinister in his disguise. Fortunately, Josh’s upbeat attitude and his sister’s sticky solution to his hair hassles keep the story from falling flat.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why would you wear a bag on your head and not take it off? Find out why the boy in this story never takes his bag off of his head even when his parents, teachers, and coaches ask. Find out the funny ending to this story.

[Miss Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why would you wear a bag on your head and not take it off? Find out why the boy in this story never takes his bag off of his head even when his parents, teachers, and coaches ask. Find out the funny ending to this story.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the only thing I enjoyed about this book was the mystery left by the author. I think it promotes bad ideas for the audience it is intended for. I didn’t love the illustrations either. The word choice was decent. Not a book I would add to my library.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for reading to kids during COVID, only because as I sit at home, bored, I’m beginning to think that I should give my hair a trim. Kids had lots of interesting ideas as to why Josh had on the bag.

[Gail Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5 year old loved it. Cute pictures and story. Love the way there is a "big reveal" near the end.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read aloud with a surprise ending! Maybe even TWO surprises.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story about individuality

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been the setup for a great horror story.

[Christy Broderick⁷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inventive way to cover up a haircut gone bad. Love this simple, yet cute book!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative problem-solving story about a boy who wears a bag to hide a mistake. We enjoyed the story.

[Andrew Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story! I've had many a 'brown bag' day gowning up and can still relate to this story as an adult!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the art and the mystery, but I kept wondering why no one asked the boy WHY he was wearing a bag on his head instead of pointing out how he wouldn't be able to function with the bag on.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A case of problem and solution and dealing with consequences.

[Runa]

Lol @ a book about a boy & a slug. I c what u did there

[Jarrett Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I might be a little bias because of the author's first name, this is one of those big lettered, funny picture books with awesome illustration. Reminded me of "The Great Thanksgiving Escape" by Mark Fearing.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josh wears a bag over his head all day much to the chagrin of his family, teacher, coach, and bus driver. At dinner he finally admits to cutting his own hair. His sister has a solution for the next day.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy decides to wear a paper bag over his head all day. He eats his breakfast, gives a book report and plays soccer. A fun book with a surprise twist. We've enjoyed this one in the lower school this week.