The Boy with Pink Hair

Author: Perez Hilton
Illustrator: Jen Hill
Grade Level: K-2

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Summary: The Boy with Pink Hair is a story about a little boy who is born with pink hair. No one could figure out exactly why his hair was pink even after doing numerous tests. Eventually, it was stated that he was simply born that way. The boy with pink hair never seemed to mind that he had pink hair until he went out in public and people would stare, laugh, and make rude comments. Fortunately, the boy's parents explained to him that it was a good thing to be different and it would end up helping him make a difference in the future. One day, it was time for the boy to start elementary school, he was not worried until he actually got to school and the kids made fun of him. Especially one little boy who would call him a "weirdo" for having pink hair. The boy with pink hair felt sad and lonely when this happened, but shortly after that he made a friend who said her favorite color was pink! He became quick friends with the little girl and would cook her all types of pink foods, the boy with pink hair loved to cook and was very good at it. When it was the little boy's open house at school, he got his moment to shine. The stove had broken and the principal asked the boy with pink hair to save the day and make food for everyone. The boy with pink hair made lots of different types of food very quickly and without using a stove and had all his friends help him, even ones that had not been so nice to him in the past. Later, that day the little boy met one of his friend's parents who asked if he could have some of the little boy with pink hair's recipes for his restaurant! In the end the boy with pink hair realized that he could be different and make a big difference just like his parents had said.

Element 2: The Boy with the Pink Hair relates to element two because it shows the other students that no matter what the little boy looks like he is no different than the rest of them. Specifically, the one little boy who was very mean to the boy with pink hair learns to respect him and they become friends.

Activity: A teacher can use this book to bring the students' attention to bullying and explain that it is okay to be different and it is important to respect one another. Also, after having a meaningful discussion like that, the teacher can have the children create some type of pink food on their own just like the boy with pink hair did in the story. For example, with parents permission of course, children could work together to make pink cupcakes or pink ice cream!