Just For You!: Shop Talk

by Juwanda G. Ford, Jim Hoston (Illustrations)

A boy describes his fun visit to the barbershop, including who he sees there, how they interact, and how the conversation is "different from talking anywhere else."

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Azriana Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about an African American male who is interacting with adult men in the neighborhood barbershop. This story is told through the eyes of a child. This book is also one in a series celebrating African American Heritage. As a literacy teacher, this book has language that appeals to young children. This can teach various greetings, such as "Yo!" which is a common greeting used in this book. The illustrations and colors represent the mood of each page in the text. The author, Juwanda Ford, is from the same cultural background as the characters in this story. She has a direct connection to the story because as a child she loved to visit her neighborhood barbershop.

[Lindsey Rogers]

The author, Juwanda Ford, is African American just like the characters in her book, so is the illustrator. The illustrator depicts a barbershop full of community and the bright colors add to the happy tone of the story. Shop Talk is about a little boy going to get his haircut at the local barbershop. The book uses slang that a lot of young boys these day use and can relate to. I would use this book as a writing lesson. I would have students write about something that they participate in around their community.

[Joanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book in one of the book bins of my 3rd grade class placement. Upon reading, I began thinking of the many ways this book can be used in a class... Students can write about something they enjoy doing in their neighborhood, such as a place they visit often. I also liked that the book reaches out to boys and it explains common urban slangs which are very popular amongst young kids; it's nice when a book can reach out and use a language that students are familiar with.