Synopsis
Ellie's nails are always filed, her clothes are snazzy, and her long locks are lovely. So when Ellie's head begins to itch, she's sure it's an allergy. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE BUGS IN MY HAIR?!" blurts Ellie. She has head lice.
Children's Literature
Ellie LaFleur is prissy, pretty and takes perfect care of herself. Everything about her is always in place and carefully tended. So, she is shocked and dismayed to find that she has lice. What is a pretty princess to do? Stier has taken an unusual approach to head lice, telling the story of Ellie's anguish and revulsion when she discovers she has lice. Having to sit still while her parents carefully comb out the nits, Ellie reads the papers sent home from school for her parents and becomes interested in the little bugs that have invaded her head. She even makes her own information sheet to share with other children, full of childish drawings and multicolored writing, in addition to interesting facts about head lice. Educational without being boring, this is a perfect book for schools to keep on hand when the lice strike in first or second grade. A note to grown-ups at the beginning of the book explains current treatment for lice, reassuring them that lice happens even to those of us who are prissy and perfect. Reviewer: Wendy M. Smith-D'Arezzo