Crazy Hair Day

by Barney Saltzberg

"A crackerjack read-aloud with a great finish." - School Library Journal

Stanley Birdbaum couldn't be more excited. He has rolled and wrapped and dyed his hair. He has dipped it and sprayed it and made it, well, perfect. He is ready to celebrate Crazy Hair Day at school. But when Stanley saunters up to the classroom, he learns, to his horror, that Crazy Hair Day is... next week. To make matters worse, today is School Picture Day, and everyone is expected to line up for the class photo! What's Stanley to do?

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2003

About the author

Barney Saltzberg is the author and illustrator of close to 50 books for children, including Beautiful Oops!, Arlo Needs Glasses, Good Egg, Cornelius P. Mud , Crazy Hair Day and the bestselling Touch and Feel Kisses series with over 800,000 copies in print. He has two new releases, Tea With Grandpa and Chengdu Could Not Would Not Fall Asleep coming this spring.
Additionally, he’s recorded four CDs of music for children. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two dogs.

Reviews

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this book for Kindergarten and first-grade lessons for two years. Yesterday I also read it to a class of third graders. It was a hit with all my students, regardless of age. It is just silly enough to engage all students. My favorite part, though, is the kindness, compassion, and team spirit evident in the book. What a fantastic book!

Classroom Connections
There is so much available here for character lessons. I used it for kindness week and it was the perfect jumping off point for great discussions at a variety of age levels.

[Serenity moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that book

[Gretchen Rosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Stanley wakes up early knowing that today is crazy hair day at school. He is very prepared for this day. His mom helps him stick his hair straight up and they color is blue and orange. Crazy!! Stanley is very excited for school until he gets to school. Once he gets to school he hears his teacher remind the other students that crazy hair day is next Friday. Stanley cannot believe. He spends his day in the bathroom trying to avoid everyone. Larry tried all day to convince him to come out. Eventually Stanley does come out of the bathroom and he gets his picture taken for class photos. This was definitely a day he would never forget.

2. This book is good for 1st-2nd grade.

3. This can be used in the class whenever there is bullying going on. This can show goods that you do not have to be afraid of what others say.

4. This is good for all younger students. This was not a challenging read and they could read it on their own.

5. This could be used in small groups and turned into a project. The kids could all create their crazy hair day on paper.

6. This could be used for the entire classroom as a end of the day read out loud.

7. Barney Saltzberg has created many books for children.

8. There is an audio version offered online.

[Vance Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name of the main character was long and I feel as if the student's name was disengaging. It could have been an easy read if not for the names of the characters. The plot was a good way to discuss school dynamics with the students. It was a colorful book with nice pictures to go along with the story which made it easy to follow. The book had a nice surprise at the end with the picture. It was an easy read and could be read with students for a dramatic effect or for a fun independent reading.

The recurring detail of a horrible day going more horrible was engaging to me. I was joust waiting for the students' day to get worse and worse after he found out it was picture day. This leading up to an act of kindness by the entire class took the reader on a roller coaster. This picture book gives students a person to model who is taking risks and being vulnerable. We all feel inadequate at times, and our likeness to the main character draws us in. I would use accessible character names and I would use more creative illustrations. I felt like I was looking at some cut out shapes with faces drawn on them at times.

[Elizabeth Piskorski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed in this book. Not engaging, little thought put into the graphics, and the characters did not seem round at all. The book did not reveal any interesting ideas, and while it could be used to discuss classroom dynamics with students, I felt it was not useful enough to plan a lesson with, nor did it expose any new ideas. I disliked the message of how something is only okay if the entire group is doing it, and if not there is need to be embarrassed. There were a lot of things unmentioned too, like Stanley's emotions when he is alone in the bathroom, and how that affected his school day. Also, why did his teacher not come and help him? What a strange school Stanley attends. Disappointing, and I believe it underestimates the child's ability to grasp more difficult subjects.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Stanley thinks it is crazy hair day but when he gets to school he discovers that it is picture day instead. When Stanley gets laughed at, he runs out of the classroom. In the end, he learns an important lesson from his friends.

[Elizabeth Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Hair Day is a picture book by Barney Saltzberg. Satlzberg’s main character is Stantley who wakes up one day believing it is crazy hair day at school. Stanley and his mom spend the morning coloring and styling his hair; yet, when Stanley arrives at school he realizes it is not crazy hair day, and his best friend Larry makes fun of him in front of the whole class. It is actually picture day at school, and Stanley locks himself in the bathroom out of embarrassment. Personally, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the ending was satisfying and teaches readers an important lesson.
Barney Saltzberg’s picture book incorporates many different essential characteristics of literature. To begin, Crazy Hair Day is an example of a person-against-person conflict. The conflict is between best friends Stanley and Larry. Larry makes fun of Stanley for mixing up crazy hair day and picture day, and they must work together to get past this clash. Furthermore, this piece of literature contains suspense. The reader continues on as Stanley is held up in the bathroom because one wants to know if he will return to class and what the reaction of his classmates will be. All in all, this is a very composed piece of literature that teaches important lessons to young children.

[Caroline Talley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Awards: none
Audience: Kinder-2nd Grade
A. The author helped me connect to the characters by putting the setting in an elementary school on what he thought was a crazy hair day and how the other classmates reacted when he was on the wrong day which is someone almost every kid has experienced feeling embarrassed.
B. The topics presented in this book were peers and bullies. He care in with his crazy hair and had to deal with the bullies who thought he looked funny and made him embarrassed but in the end his peers care and encouraged him to come to his class picture.
C. Compare how Stanley felt before and after his peers came in to encourage him to come take his class picture. Before he felt isolated and embarrassed that everyone was making fun of him but once they came and talked to him he realized it’s not that big of a deal and he doesn’t want to miss the school picture.

[Reese Brimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a boy who got the crazy hair day at school mixed up and it was not actually not crazy hair day. It ended up being school picture day! He hid in the bathroom after his classmates were laughing at him. Then Larry told him he had a small amount of time to stay in the bathroom and then he was going to face his fears and take the school picture. When he walked out of the bathroom, all of the children had their hair crazy just like him.
This book made me happy because it shows the children's change of heart. They were so rude to him but then they realized how it made him feel. I love how the author adds in the part where they even change their hair so he would not feel left out.
This would be an incredible book to read to children around the first grade because children need to be reminded to include everyone. It touches on the aspect of bullying and how our words can make people feel.

[Jami Maturi]

Stanley Birdbaum was thrilled about crazy hair day at school! He went all out by spinning, spraying, and dying his hair in a funky way. Unfortunately, Stanley goes to school only to find out its picture day! Stanley is devastated and runs to the bathroom to hide because he is so embarrassed that he walked into class with crazy hair. Eventually Stanley comes out of the bathroom to find that all of his classmates, including the teacher had joined him for crazy hair day. I thought this book was very sweet. Its funny because I can relate to this book because that has happened in my class when I was in elementary school too. I thought this book could give a great lesson to students! This is a great book for young readers in the classroom! It could be used to teach students about bullying or about being kind to one another.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stanley is excited and ready for Crazy Hair Day at school...until he finds out he’s off by a week! In fact it is picture day. This is made worse by his class and even his best friend and teacher laughing at him. Can the class make Stanley feel better somehow in time for their group picture?
My preschoolers really enjoyed this story and find it funny. A great read aloud for young students before their own crazy hair days. It’s also relatable as a parent (who hasn’t messed up like this at least once).

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was on my school's pillars of character reading list for responsibility. I don't really think it fits there, though. Yeah, the kid gets some dates mixed up, but that isn't a big show of irresponsibility. It seems to fit better under kindness due to the actions of his classmates. It is a cute story and I love the way the teacher makes the kids feel like they belong and the picture wouldn't be right without each of them.

[Lynn Grundset Milner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine has started a storytime group while we are all sheltering in place. I've been listening as often as I can and have been enjoying listening to her read these stories. I can relate to this story about having a bad hair day, wanting to fit in, being excited about something only to realize I got the date mixed up. I enjoyed this story and the way Stanley's friends treated him. Let's all be kind to one another.

[Molly Daybert · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an excited Stanley mixes up the day for his school's "crazy hair" spirit day, he is embarrassed. However, the day is saved when kind-hearted peers and a brilliant teacher act quickly! As a future teacher, I love everything about this book. It shows what it means to be a friend, and how impactful a simple act of kindness can be.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stanley is ready for crazy hair day... unfortunately crazy hair day is next week and school picture day is today. Yikes! Stanley tries to clean it, but he can't. He considers skipping the picture, but a friend reminds him how much he'll be missed. Finally, Stanley decides to suck it up and his class surprises him by (spoiler) all having crazy hair too.

[Savannah Crider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel as if this book would be a hit for students in Kindergarten - 3rd grades. This book is a silly one that young children will love, also it is predictable which makes it an easy read if a child were to be reading alone. My favorite part is the lesson this books portrays - kindness and friendship.

[Karsyn VonEgidy]

Stanley (the main character) is so excited about crazy hair day. This look has cute pictures that I think kids would enjoy. Poor Stanley dresses up the wrong way for class, so we got to read how he made it throughout the day. I think that kids would laugh and enjoy Stanleys' fate on dress up day.

[Courtney Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable way to show how a class can come together to support a student. I would read this book in my classroom if something like this ever happens so my student can see that it has happened and not just to them!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stanley’s crazy hair day starts out well, but after making a calendar error, he spends most of the book hiding in the bathroom. A story with a sweet ending, but it couldn’t keep my kindergartener’s attention. A scholastic kindergarten suggestion.

[Maddi Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooooo cute.
“Mr winger said he wants me to try and be a peacemaker instead of a trouble maker”
I love how Mr.Winger at the end had such a huge roll in making sure all the students always felt like they had a huge roll in making their classroom whole. Loved this book.

[Sarah Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy Hair Day is a fun and relatable story about friendship, embarrassment, and finding support when things don’t go as planned. With its playful tone and uplifting message, it teaches kids the importance of kindness and being there for one another.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when you get School Picture Day and Crazy Hair Day confused?
It all starts with embarrassment, but ends with a class of supportive friends.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read-aloud for young children about a boy who mixes up which day is his school's "Crazy Hair Day".

[Katie Kleeberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows that differences can be good and exciting. Shouldn’t always be seen in a negative way. Cute pictures of these differences (Stanley’s hair).

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh NO! EEEK and YIKES! This is what Stanley thinks when he shows up to school prepared with his wild and crazy hair and finds out it is NOT Crazy Hair Day but Picture Day.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Audio available on Epic) I enjoyed the book, it was just lacking for me. I wish the description about his hair would have been a little better.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about Stanley, who gets the day wrong for crazy hair day at school.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quarantine reading. This was such a great book. Kiddo loves the silliness, and I love how it teaches kindness and that making mistakes isn't a big deal.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that would work for Crazy Hair Day, hoe to include others and being comfortable just being you.

[Jeanie Cullip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to introduce Spirit Week and make sure students get the right date on the calendar.