Aaron's Hair (rev. ed.)

Written by Robert Munsch

Illustrated by Dave Whamond

Scholastic Canada

978-1-0397-0906-5

32 pp.

Ages 3-8

January 2025 

 

It's been 25 years since Robert Munsch first told the story of Aaron's runaway hair. Originally illustrated by Alan and Lea Daniel, Aaron's Hair is a timeless story of hating your hair–don't we all have bad hair days?–but like classic Munsch, the story takes an unexpected turn when Aaron's hair takes off to find an appreciative host. Now illustrated with the wacky art of Dave Whamond, Aaron's Hair has a new and updated sparkle of absurdity. 

From Aaron's Hair (rev. ed.), written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Dave Whamond

Aaron is proud to have long hair like his dad but when his hair becomes uncooperative, Aaron shouts out that he hates it. Well, that hurts the hair's feelings, and it runs away, leaving Aaron bald. And so, the chase begins.

 

From Aaron's Hair (rev. ed.), written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Dave Whamond

As Aaron's hair flits from the baby's head to the street, attaching itself first to a woman's tummy and then to man's behind, Aaron gives chase. The star-shaped hair continues to cause mayhem, especially when it covers a traffic policeman's face, resulting in a traffic jam of epic proportions. There are still a few more stops before both Aaron and his hair find their way back to each other and even find a way forward.

 

The absurdity of Robert Munsch's stories has always been in that germ of reality, here in the conflict between hair and bearer of said hair. It's that struggle to style it, tame it, keep it out of food, and more. But Robert Munsch makes that struggle into a crazy action adventure that will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter. With Dave Whamond's illustrations, the wackiness is heightened, giving more laughs as Aaron's hair misbehaves, as the boy panics at the potential for long-term baldness, and as the community becomes involved in the ensuing chaos. Follow the escape, the pursuit, and the confusion through expressive faces, topsy-turvy scenes, and the unexpected details including Dave Whamond's ubiquitous squirrel, bunny and bird from his popular character in his Reality Check syndicated comic.

From Aaron's Hair (rev. ed.), written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Dave Whamond

Next time you're having a bad hair day, think about Aaron and his unruly hair, and thank goodness for an occasion split end, frizz or cowlick that reassures that you've still got hair on your head. After all, the alternative can be outrageously chaotic,  even if uproariously funny.

Get Out of Bed! (Revised edition)

Written by Robert Munsch

Illustrated by Dave Whamond

Scholastic Canada

978-1-0397-0204-2

32 pp.

Ages 3-8

January 2024

 

It's been 25 years since the publication of the original Get Out of Bed!, illustrated by Alan and Lea Daniel. Now Robert Munsch's classic tale of a little girl who won't get out of bed has been revised with new illustrations by author-illustrator and cartoonist of Reality Check, Dave Whamond. Amy still won't get out of bed, but she's got a new landscape and characters to accompany her through dreamland.

From Get Out of Bed!, written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Dave Whamond

After sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night to watch television, Amy will not wake up. Her little brother tries, her father tries, and her mother tries, but all to no avail. What can they do when they must all head to work and school? Well, they transport her and her bed, and the ginger cat, the spotted dog, and a mended stuffed bunny, to the back of her classroom. She might not get out of bed but she's certainly not going to miss school!

From Get Out of Bed!, written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Dave Whamond

Regardless of the principal's efforts to wake her up, Amy continues to sleep, and her class continues to learn. As they do art and play in the gym, eat lunch, and go out for recess, Amy is right there, in her bed and sleeping away. When does she finally wake up? You'll need to read Get Out of Bed! to learn that tidbit.

Robert Munsch's story will be recognizable to anyone who has ever had to try to rouse a child or even an adult whose body is determined to sleep. (After a night of very late, late, late shows and even an early, early, early, early show, Amy's body was ravenous for sleep.) His tale of a child sleeping through the chaos of a family trying to awaken her and of a class proceeding with lessons around and even on her has all the hallmarks of a Robert Munsch story: a smidgen of reality surrounded by over-the-top silliness. And into that silliness feeds Dave Whamond's artwork of craziness. 

From Get Out of Bed!, written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Dave Whamond

Dave Whamond knows how to take silly and elevate it with complexity of person (and animals!) and place. (Just check out his comic strip to see how a mundane interaction between two people becomes something hysterical, especially with commentary, silent and not, from Ralph the Squirrel.) Every detail adds something to the story, whether it's the hamster in the running ball, the cat annoyed with being woken, the stuffed bunny painting a self-portrait in art class–it looks far healthier in the painting!–or the dog sneaking breakfast sausages.  From Amy drooling in her sleep and her mom making breakfast in her PJs, and hockey jerseys, sticks and posters everywhere, Dave Whamond reminds kids and parents that this scene could be played out in just about any Canadian home. Because of that, young readers will look for the details and laugh at the ridiculousness of Amy's situation while knowing exactly how it could happen and maybe even to them. (Imagine worrying that your family would dispose of you and your bed in your classroom for your teacher and classmates to witness. That would be enough to get me out of bed!) The ink and watercolour art gives Get Out of Bed! that comic strip vibe but Dave Whamond knows how to keep it real while giving us the laughs.

Robert Munsch is a Canadian icon for his countless books, often illustrated by different artists. By partnering with Dave Whamond again–previously for Braids!, School Rules!, and Think Big!–Robert Munsch's stories are taking on a different flavour. They're still silly and fun but also playful and imaginative. I can't think of a better reason to get out of bed than to be able to read this one.