School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

K-Gr 3 Excited about it being Crazy Hair Day at school, Stanley enlists his mother's help to decorate his hair using rubber bands, hair gel, and spray color. He arrives at school and is horrified to find out that it's class picture dayCrazy Hair Day is the following week. When his classmates tease him about his unusual appearance, Stanley resolves to spend the day in the bathroom. When his best friend encourages him to come out of hiding for the photo session, Stanley arrives in the classroom and is overjoyed to see that all of his classmates have created crazy hairdos for the occasion. The DVD has three tracks: an animated version of Barry Saltzberg's book (Candlewick, 2003), a music video of the author's song of the same title, and an interview with Saltzberg who talks about his background as an author/illustrator/musician, where he gets his ideas, and his inspiration for this story (a child who had cancer) and song. Saltzberg's comical pencil, ink, and acrylic illustrations have been crisply animated. While the backgrounds remain static, the movement of the characters draws viewers in and extends the story. Attention to detail in the artwork is emphasized, with added snippets such as Stanley doing a "happy dance" and flushing the toilets that match Saltzberg's style. Zach Braff does an admirable job of reading the text, using slight changes in pitch and intonation to indicate different characters and moods. A read-along option can be activated on the DVD. This outstanding adaptation of a delightful book will be useful for units on friendship, compassion, teamwork, and risk taking. Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

ALA Booklist (Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CST 2003)

For Crazy Hair Day at school, Stanley marches into class with his hair arranged in multicolored spikes, determined to have the craziest hair in the whole school. Unfortunately, poor Stanley has mixed up the dates of Crazy Hair Day and School Picture Day, and he retreats in horror to the bathroom. A friend finally coaxes him back to the class for their group picture, where he discovers everyone modeling sympathy dos. The novelty of spending a school day alone in the bathroom is very truly observed, and adults will appreciate Mr. Winger's deft conversion of one student's catastrophe into an opportunity for class bonding. Saltzberg's characters (hamsters, according to the jacket flap, though they're not recognizable as such) don't express a great range of emotion, but the pictures are bright and appealing, and the authenticity of Stanley's situation is likely to put readers in the mood to share their most embarrassing moments.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2004)

On "Crazy Hair Day" at school, Stanley comes to class with his hair spiked orange and blue. Except that it's not Crazy Hair Day--Stanley's mixed up the date with School Picture Day. Humiliated, he hides in the bathroom. Finally coaxed out, Stanley discovers his classmates have fashioned their own outlandish hairdos in a show of silly solidarity. Bright, gently humorous pictures suit the tone of the story.

Kirkus Reviews

Saltzberg conveys the pleasing goofiness of special days at school when students can let their hair down—Pajama Day, Sixties Day, or best of all: Crazy Hair Day. Only Stanley Birdbaum—who, along with his schoolmates, looks like a reclining acorn perched atop a roly-poly body—gets the day wrong. It's Picture Day, not Crazy Hair Day. Mortified, he takes up residence in the school bathroom. His friend gently coaxes him back to the room to take his place in the class picture: "Remember Sixties Day, when Mr. Winger had the flu but came in anyway? He said the day wouldn't be the same if we weren't all together." There he finds his mates ready for the photographer with all manner of strange adornments on their heads: wastepaper baskets, piles of crayons, a stack of books; Mr. Winger is wearing a globe. "This is going to be a day I never forget," Stanley had said when he left home that morning with his rainbow thatch. Right you are, Stanley. (Picture book. 4-8)