Neecy and Nay Nay and the Tangled, Hairy Mess (Neecy and Nay Nay #1) (A Little Bee Books Chapter Book Series)

January 1, 2025

Gr 2-4-A hair conundrum sparks a business opportunity. One morning, twins Neecy and Nay Nay wake up to Nay Nay in a sticky situation: chewing gum in her hair. Despite the unfortunate event, the twins are inspired to start their own salon: Neecy and Nay Nay's House of Style. They are fortunate enough to have a group of willing customers to start off with in friends and family. However, when they encounter the hiccups of running a business, they learn a few things, with charm and laughter along the way. This book's vocabulary is at a noticeably higher level and will help early elementary readers build language skills, though the inclusion of more advanced terms is not the smoothest. The grayscale artwork is expressive and enjoyable, adding basic imagery to what happens on each page without detracting from readers' imaginations. This title serves as a valuable introduction to books with fewer or no pictures. Although race is not explicitly discussed, the illustrations suggest most of the characters are Black. Back matter includes a snickerdoodle recipe, glossary, and preview of the next series installment. VERDICT This is a well-written book that will appeal to young readers who are beginning to show interest in their self-image; teachers may find that this story serves to increase reader vocabulary.-Renee Sanchez

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2024
Twins and BFFs Neecy and Nay Nay open a full-service salon in their bedroom. Neecy's awakened by her sister, who went to sleep with bubble gum in her mouth and now has a wad of the pink stuff stuck in her curls. The twins attempt to conceal the sticky situation from Big Mama, but eventually she realizes the truth and takes the girls to Ms. Yvonne's hair salon, where the beautician tenderly uses peanut butter to remove the glob of gum from Nay Nay's hair. The girls are inspired to start their own salon; their first clients are Big Mama and their friend Jamila. Jamila's thrilled with her new "twin-tastically beautiful" 'do; riding high on their excitement, the twins decide to host a grand opening for Neecy and Nay Nay's House of Style. What ensues is a page-turning story of sisterhood, friendship, entrepreneurship, and colossal failure as some of the girls' spa treatments go hilariously awry--but nothing goes so wrong that it can't be put right with a helping of Big Mama's snickerdoodles. Though the stakes are relatively low in this breezy tale, the authors establish suspense and infuse the narrative with humor. Black-and-white illustrations on each spread break up the text. A recipe for snickerdoodles follows, along with a glossary defining the "big words" that aspiring doctor Neecy uses. Neecy and Nay Nay are Black; their friends are diverse. A "twin-tastically" fun read.(Chapter book. 6-9)

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