Beard in a Box by Bill Cotter

by Bill Cotter

A funny father-son romp for fans of Don’t Push the Button! and Mustache Baby.A young boy longs for a beard like Dad’s, and when he discovers a hair-growth product called Beard in a Box, he must have it! He rips open the package, plants the beard seeds, and waits . . .And waits . . .And waits.Hilarious art and a feel-good ending make this the perfect Father’s Day gift for bearded and clean-shaven readers alike!

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Storytime, Family, Childrens, Fiction

Hardcover

First published April 19, 2016

About the author

Bill Cotter is an artist who lives in Brooklyn, NY. Bill spends his time teaching art and music to children, playing live music around the city, and perfecting his ping pong skills.

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kid wants a beard like his dad because he has decided the beard is what makes his dad the greatest. When he sees a commercial on TV promising a beard in 5 easy steps he immediately orders the Beard in a Box. As soon as it arrives he begins the 5 steps. THEN he reads the directions and realizes it is all a scam. Dad hears him throwing a fit and comes to explain that the beard isn't what makes you cool; its the kind of person you are inside. Dad has shaved his beard, by the way. Good to share with kids of any age when discussing false advertising or tricks in advertising.

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. My first grader loved this book. Every single page made her giggle. We could barely get past the endpapers because she had to stop and try to imitate some of the beards with an app on her ipod. When we finished reading it, she proclaimed that she "LOVED" it and then went back to show me all her favorite styles. Haven't read it with the 10 year old yet, but I know she'd love it too. It's totally her sense of humor (she loves commercial parodies), not to mention she has an extensive mustache collection. Also, my first grader said, "This sounds like something I would write." I take that to mean it has a lot of kid appeal. I also appreciated that the text was just the right length and not too long.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this delightfully funny look at what makes dad so awesome, a young boy figures it's his father's beard that makes him so cool. So he searches for a way to become awesome like his dad. When he sees a commercial on TV for a beard in a box, he is ecstatic and orders one right away (after several misadventures, one involving shaving the cat). But things don't work quite the way he expected and his frustration boils over, until awesome dad steps in to save the day. Not only a fun look at a sweet relationship between father and son, but also a commentary on how misleading commercials can sometimes be. A laugh-out-loud book that is bound to be a favorite of young readers.

Note: This book would also be great for a teacher/librarian to use in introducing the topic of media literacy/advertising.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming tale about how appearances aren't what make you awesome, but your personality and what you do that does! I truly appreciated this hilarious tale and the message that it delivered. I believe that it is important that all children are exposed to this message and realize that appearance is not what truly matters, but who you are as a person that does.

[Kristy Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, silly fun. 2nd and 3rd graders animatedly discussed the grown-up things they can't wait to do after reading this book. Strangely, for most, facial hair wasn't on the list, though! They did have fun choosing their favorite beard from the end papers and the book prompted a sweet discussion about the things they most admire in their parents.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boy in this book has an awesome dad, and he has figured out that the source of the awesomeness is his dad's beard, so of course he wants a beard too. He orders a beard growing kit from the SCAM-O corporation as advertised on late night TV. This book was delightful and hilarious!

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute kids book. It does in a way play off of gullible people who order things on tv/offline thinking it's the magical "cure" for whatever. I loved all the different kinds of beards and then the end where the cat calls for fur for life (since he did get shaved :-D ).

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a hilarious book for an older kids storytime (2-4th). It follows a beard-loving boy who buys a beard in a box to become cool like his dad. So many great things to talk about (scams, beards, dads, being cool)!

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute story, fun illustrations! Well done Mr. Cotter!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beard seeds! Ha ha. That's some Chia Pet action...

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about a son who tries to live up to his dad...by growing a beard!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly book with a funny point. This would be a good storytime book.

[Jesse Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beard in a big box is a funny story about a boy and his awesome dad. The boy ponders on why his dad is so cool and realizes that the source of his dads greatness comes from his beard! Now he wants one of his own. After trying everything he thought would would grow him a beard, a commercial for “beard in a box” came on the TV which will produce a beard in 5 easy steps, ironically made by a company named ‘Scam-o’. He visualizes himself with a beard and how cool he will be while he waits for his box to come in the mail. After a long wait, it comes in and he immediately rips open the box and tries it out, only to find out step 5 is to “repeat the steps for 10-15 years” which makes the boy furious. His dad hears his tantrum being thrown and walks in with a freshly shaved face, and puzzles the boy but after the dad explains that the beard has nothing to do with being a good person, and shows him how, he is back to being a normal beardless kid.
I loved the message portrayed in this book. Every little boy wants to be exactly like his dad and do what he does. It also shows the impact parents have on their children. The illustrations were really funny and went along with the story great.
I would use this book in a classroom for younger children as a way to show the students that being kind and nice has nothing to do with physical appearance.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy thinks that all over his dad's superpowers come from his having a beard. So, naturally he wants to have one as well, so he can be awesome like his dad. He orders a "Beard in a Box" from Scam-O, guaranteed to help you grow a beard, if you wait 10-15 years! The boy soon learns that it doesn't take a beard to make you awesome, you can be awesome all on your own.

I thought that this book was really cute and had a good message. Not only that, it was a book about beards. I had a fun time reading it aloud in my storytime. I had the perfect opportunity to try out my tv salesman voice. The kids really enjoyed it as well. We had fun completing the steps that it would take for us to grow our own beard.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book about a boy who thinks his dad gets all his awesomeness from his beard. Therefore, he also wants one! He sees an ad on tv from Scam-O! that offers a beard in a box! Of course, he buys the kit. He follows the instructions inside--apply beard seeds, rub on liberally, add water, then WAIT 10-15 YEARS!?! He's been conned! Just then, his dad comes in the room with a clean-shaven face. The two have a discussion about what really makes a person awesome, whether or not they have a beard.

Good for preschool or older kid storytimes.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because he found the source of his papa's power and it was his beard. And then he said it was "time to get my own." And he tried everything, but none of his plans worked. And then later in the book when he was watching TV, someone said "DO YOU NEED A BEARD? HAS ANYONE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BARE CHEEKS BEHIND YOUR BACK? THEN HAVE I GOT AN OFFER FOR YOU! BEARD IN A BOX!!"

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny book about a little boy who desperately wants to grow a beard so he can be awesome like his dad. So he orders Beard in a Box from a company that is aptly named SCAM-O. It may make for good discussions about why kids should be wary of advertisements that promise things that sound too good to be true.

[Laurie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny, in typical Bill Cotter style. I love all the different beard illustrations in the book and the over-the-top infomercial product. It's funny and silly, but what I probably loved most was the heart-warming father-son relationship. Excellent read!

[Mary Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book. It is a light read. I might not use this in my classroom, but I think it would be a wonderful book for a father and son to enjoy together. It is about a young boy that wants a beard like his fathers.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I were really enjoying ourselves with this book. In the first place, wouldn’t you be suspicious buying a product from a company called Scam-o? This book is so funny and so tender for Dads and their children.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is funny, but I wish it would have ended a bit differently. The main character should have come to his own conclusion about his dad's awesomeness rather than being told outright.

[Wendopolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness is in direct correlation to the length of a beard. I always suspected this

[trishajennreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and adorable and sweet. The text and illustrations are sure to make kiddos and parents laugh out loud.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a good read aloud for a father's day themed storytime.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about a boy and his dad. It would be great to use during June for Fathers Day. It has great illustrations and could also be used during “No Shave November.”

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and cute, kids and adults (especially bearded dads) will enjoy reading this.

[Ethan & Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad shaved his beard and he's still pretty great