Bippity Bop Barbershop: Connecting Generations

Parents celebrate their children’s many “firsts.” First step, first word, first day of school. Another first that has particular significance to African Americans is a boy’s first haircut at the barbershop. Throughout history the barbershop has remained a core social institution in African American culture. It is a comfortable gathering place of the community of men where they watch the game, play cards and share insightful commentary on every imaginable topic. To know what’s going on it the world, forget CNN…visit the barbershop!

In Bippity Bop Barbershop (Megan Tingley 2002), Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, who as a child visited the local barbershop, writes about Miles and his father’s visit to the barbershop for Miles’ long-anticipated first barbershop haircut. The importance of this event is reinforced by the reaction of the men in the barbershop who let Miles know that after his first barbershop haircut, he will no longer be a “little man,” but “one of the big boys.”

In Bippity Bop Barbershop, Tarpley, who is an accomplished poet, uses her rhythmic style to masterfully write a story about the African American experience in a way that entertains children. The watercolor illustrations of E. B. Lewis bring the text to life.

The most wonderful thing about Bippity Bop Barbershop is that the story connects generations. As they read Bippity Bop Barbershop, fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers will recall nostalgically the good times they experienced at the local barbershop. They will share their reminisces with the child proving that there are some things really do not change.

Books to Share is a monthly column written by Stacey Montgomery, publisher of CelebratingChildren.com. In this column, Stacey reviews children's books, interviews authors and provides ideas to help parents creatively share books with children. Stacey Montgomery is also the author of Black Families Online: Directory of Online Resources for Black Parents. She resides in the Chicago area with her husband and 3-year-old son, Isaiah.