Benny Wants a Haircut

"A tiny pooch accompanies his owner to the hair salon in this Dutch and Belgian import. Sam looks in the mirror and realizes her hair is getting very long. She can hardly see! It is time to get a haircut. Benny, her squat, mustachioed dog, happily follows. Pierre, the barber, has an elaborate, swirly mustache, in stark contrast to Benny’s straight whiskers. When Sam climbs into the barber chair and Pierre starts snipping, Benny gets scared! “ ‘Shhh, Benny,’ Sam says, ‘It’s all right. It doesn’t hurt when Pierre cuts my hair.’ ” Pierre believes the only way Benny will understand is if he gets a haircut too. Both Sam and Benny leave proudly with brand new styles (Benny, of course, with a swirly new ’stache). Readers take in the sights and sounds of a salon: bonnet hair dryers, the shampoo station, and the act of wearing a haircutting cape, all while learning along with Benny. Meijer adds levity to the illustrations with snippets of hair flying from speedy scissors and oversized curlers on well-coiffed customers. Everyone in the story appears White except one family waiting in the salon with darker skin. An often dreaded new experience gets a makeover." - Kirkus Reviews "This is a humorous and warm story about a deep friendship between a young girl and her close friend, her dog. Friendship shares many things, and a special trip to the hair salon deepens this closeness. Any child who has a dog will treasure this touching story of friends who really know and understand each other's feelings." - ITEEA "Sam looks in the mirror one morning and confides in her beloved dog Benny that she really needs a haircut because she can hardly see. She leashes her dog and off they go to the local hair salon, Chez Pierre. Pierre greets her and assures her that he can give her a cut and directs her ( and Benny ) to a seat where they wait their turn to be called. He offers her a magazine to read while she waits but Sam doesn't need it... there's way too much interesting activity going on around her. Customers are getting snipped, curlers are projecting out from underneath helmet-shaped hair dryers and others are patiently waiting for their cut and style. When it's Sam's turn and she is caped and sitting in the chair Benny begins to bark and cause havoc. Pierre suggests that Benny is not scared as to what is happening to Sam but Benny wants his hair cut too. Do you think Pierre is correct? Kids reading the book discover the sights and sounds connected to a busy hair salon. The illustrations are very well done. They are whimsical and full of expression and fun. Kids will experience through this delightful book exactly what a trip to get a haircut in a salon will entail. I really like the book and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Vive la coupe de cheveux!" - Storywraps "This is a really sweet story of a girl going to get her haircut and her how her dog Benny reacts at being at the hairdresser. The art and colours within the book were super engaging and cohesive.. Various literary devices used throughout would be effective in keeping children attention such as the use of repetition and onomatopoeia. Overall it is an adorable story perfect for kids who love animals." - Lauren Browne "This is my second Benny book and it was just as cute as the first. I love the relationship Benny and Sam have, you can tell they really love each other and want to do everything together. I love Benny's haircut at the end and the fact that Sam's hair looks exactly the same." - Shauna Morrison (Indigo Books and Music)