K-Gr 3-A girl named Alopecia lives in a town called Follicle. Every year she plays Rapunzel in the town festival, but when her beautiful long hair starts to fall out, her role is in jeopardy and she worries about being teased by her classmates. When the teacher explains the girl's problem to the class, they all agree to cut off their hair and donate it to be used in the play. Although youngsters who are afflicted with alopecia (according to the author, this scalp disease affects more than four million people in the United States) are undoubtedly embarrassed, afraid, and angry, this book will not do much to allay those feelings. The writing is stiff and self-conscious, the resolution is quite unrealistic, and the illustrations are cartoony. The fairy-tale treatment doesn't work here; children would be better served by a straightforward explanation.-Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY
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Winner of the Gold Triangle Awards 2000 of the American Academy of Dermatology, Princess Alopecia by Yaacov Peterseil is the story of Alopecia, a young woman with long, beautiful hair. Yet when her hair suddenly begins to fall out Alopecia feels horrible about herself, and about losing her chance to play Princess Rapunzel in the school play! Her teacher sees what is happening and calls a class meeting to make Alopecia feel better. A heartwarming story written especially for children ages 6 through 10 who find themselves having to deal with the condition of alopecia, Princess Alopecia is nicely enhanced throughout with the supportive artwork of Avi Katz.
