When things are going bad, do you ever just want to get a haircut? Today’s picture book is a breath of fresh air all about the barbershop.

Keenan Jones is an author and educator based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Keenan worked as an elementary school teacher and is the founder of the educational nonprofit Literacy for Freedom. Saturday Morning at the ’Shop is his debut picture book. You can learn more about him at his website or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE SHOP is a look at the community to be found at the local barbershop. It’s full of history, art, snacks, and camaraderie. This book will definitely have you smiling and feeling the joy the young protagonist feels as he visits the ‘Shop on a Saturday morning for a haircut and so much more.

Welcome Keenan!

Me: Can you tell us a little about your writing journey? When did you start writing stories, and what brought you to writing picture books and this specific book?

Keenan: As a young child, I knew early on that I had a gift for reading and writing. Growing up in south suburban Chicago, I spent a lot of time in the library, always reading books. I even won a spelling bee in elementary school and the “I Have a Dream” speech contest. Those moments, along with consistently earning A’s in English class, made me realize I had a knack for storytelling. Writing always felt natural to me, whether it was crafting a story or an essay.

Later in elementary school, basketball became my main focus, but I never stopped reading and writing. After a career-ending injury in college, I found my way back to storytelling. My creative writing professor encouraged me, recognizing my talent and sparking something in me. Then, when I started teaching elementary school in 2014, the spark reignited. I realized that if I was going to teach kids how to write, I needed to write for myself, and I was consuming a ton of children’s literature at the time.

By 2020, I had written many stories, but George Floyd’s death and the pandemic pushed me to channel my frustrations into something uplifting. It was a tough moment for the country, and I knew I wanted to make a positive impact. The extra time during the pandemic allowed me to dive into research, and once I committed to the process of publishing, it’s been nonstop ever since.

Me: I love all the different aspects of the barbershop you included in your story. What inspired you to write this book?

Keenan: The George Floyd tragedy and the fact that all the barbershops were closed during the pandemic really planted the seed for this book. My hair was rough, and I had the idea to write a book that showcased Black men and boys in a positive light. I noticed there were plenty of books celebrating girls and their hair, but I thought, “What about Black boys and men?”

When I researched, I realized there weren’t many books about barbershops, Derrick Barnes’ Crown an Ode to the Fresh Cut is amazing, and I found an older one, Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, from 1993. I had already started playing around with the idea of a barbershop story, but it wasn’t until I sat back in the barber’s chair after lockdown that I said, “This is it—I’m finishing this book.”

Me: I love that! Your text is so lyrical—it’s like a poem with a repeated refrain. Was it always in this format? How many revisions did it take to get to this version?

Keenan: Honestly, I lost count of the revisions! I felt like I was constantly tweaking something, and that was before it even reached the editor’s desk. The refrains got tightened during the process, but the lyrical format was there from the beginning.

Writing this way just fits me, I grew up on hip-hop and spoken word, so that rhythm and flow naturally come through in my work. I even studied how rappers structure their lyrics and how refrains work as poetic devices. It’s not exactly the same, but that influence was instrumental in shaping this book.

Me: The illustrations by Ken Daley are perfect for your story. They’re so vibrant, with colors dancing across each scene. Were there any illustration surprises for you? Do you have any favorite moments?

Keenan: Ken’s work is incredible, and while some of it matched what I imagined, the level of detail he brought really surprised me. One of my favorite scenes is the basketball game on TV, you can see one player trying to block another’s shot. Then there are the pictures on the wall of my heroes, which hold so much meaning for me. I could go on and on, but those two stand out as highlights.

Me: What’s something that surprised you in the creation of this book?

Keenan: The amount of time it takes to put everything together! I thought the process would move faster, but any little hiccup in production can cause delays. The waiting was tough, but as they say, great work takes time. I truly believe we’ve created an amazing book, and I’m confident the effort will pay off in the long run.

Me: You’re also an educator and founder of Literacy for Freedom, a nonprofit empowering young Black boys through literacy. How do you balance all of this with your writing? What habits help you stay creative?

Keenan: Ha! I hear that question a lot. First, I have to give credit to my supportive wife, she creates the space and time I need to get things done. I’ve also paused some major work with Literacy for Freedom to make room for my creative projects. I’m still supporting young men, but I’ve had to adjust my focus.

One habit that helps is scheduling protected writing time. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, I dedicate that time to a new idea or finishing a project. I also meditate often, which helps me reset and avoid forcing creativity when it’s just not flowing.

Me: Can you remember your first visit to a barbershop like the one in your story? Were you as joyful as your main character?

Keenan: I think back to my first barbershop experience, I was about 4 or 5 years old in Gary, Indiana. It was my brother and grandfather’s shop, and I remember Saturdays being jam-packed! Everyone knew my grandad because he was a political figure in the 80s, so the place was buzzing with energy.

As a little kid, I was super joyful, energetic, all of that! Some would say I was a little “naughty” (ha!), but I was just a super intelligent, curious, and creative kid. In that specific moment of being in the ‘shop, I was probably more calm as I was taking everything in, but the main character’s energy is definitely me. Now, I’ve grown to love everything about that environment.

That sounds like a good time and great memories. Thank you for stopping by my blog today Keenan.

Dear readers, this book releases into the world today. It’s a celebration of hair, community, and all the joys that come with both. The pandemic really did make us miss all of that, didn’t it? But you won’t want to miss this one!