Neil Gaiman is one of those super-human types that fascinates me with his versatility and creative ability. He is the ultimate writer chameleon. He moves from genre to genre - adult novels, comic books, children's picture books - and seems to master them with ease. This is another perfect example of his mastery - a story about a man with the craziest hair you have ever seen!
Now, how crazy is his hair? Exotic birds nest in it! Explorers set out on expeditions inside it and are never seen again! It is home to tigers, carousels, gorillas, and dancers! One day the crazy haired man meets a girl named Bonnie who wants to tame his wild style. She wants to (gasp!) comb his hair. He does his best to convince her that this would be a bad idea and even a dangerous idea, but she insists that she must.
The illustrations by Dave McKean have this unique collage quality and provide the dark edge Mr. Gaiman's work is known for. The texture in the hair illustrations is so realistic that you will touch the page to see if they are real. My hygiene-resistant son is one crazy-haired guy, so this books makes us both laugh as the descriptions of what lies in his hair get wilder and wilder as the book progresses. I'll be honest with you. Summer time at our house = mommy is willing to fight less hygiene battles = let the crazy hair fly!