The Fuller Cut barbershop in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is encouraging kids to read books by giving a $2 discount for kids who read while getting their hair cut.
“Parents love it and the kids … well, they like getting the two dollars back,” said Ryan Griffin, who started the discount at the barbershop. “We get compliments from teachers all the time, too.”
The barbershop has between 75 and 100 rotating books for kids to read, and every one of them features African-Americans in a positive light.
“All our books have positive images of African-Americans — whether it’s astronauts, athletes or writers,” Griffin said.
— Harlem barbershop offers fresh cuts, health screenings for charity —
Griffin said that he had heard about the idea from other barbershops around the nation and decided to bring it to his own workplace. He said that he loves being read to, but his favorite part is something else:
“When little kids that don’t really know how to read or what’s going on see an older kid in the chair with a book and then grab a book too, that’s what’s important. Because when a kid thinks it’s cool to read, that’s a gift.”
