A Haircut for a Story: Dubuque Barber Turned the Chair Into a Reading Spot
Worth pulling back out of the bucket!
Back in August 2015, Dubuque barber Courtney Holmes found a pretty wonderful way to help children head back to school looking sharp, and reading a little stronger, too.
During the second annual Back to School Bash at Comiskey Park, Holmes offered children a free haircut with one simple trade: pick up a book and read aloud while sitting in his barber chair.
The books were supplied through St. Mark Youth Enrichment, and Holmes did more than simply listen. If a young reader stumbled over a word, he helped sound it out. He talked with the children about what they were reading and encouraged them along as the clippers kept buzzing.
The idea caught on quickly. What started with only a few children soon became a line of youngsters waiting with books in hand. Holmes even gave vouchers to children he could not get to before the event ended so they could come to the salon later, read to him, and still receive their free haircut.
The response was strong enough that the salon continued the idea as a regular monthly program, encouraging children to trade a little reading time for a fresh haircut. Holmes later became known as the “Storybook Barber.”
Sometimes encouraging a child to read does not require a classroom, a desk, or even a library.
Sometimes it just takes a barber chair, a good book…
and somebody willing to listen. ❤️
Keep Goin’ ‘Round Town
There’s always another story waiting just around the corner.