Don't Cut My Hair! - by Pay Bheng (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

'Underneath the far-fetched fun, there's a warm friendship message about selfless acts of kindness.' - Booklist Review

Included in CBC's 2025 May Hot Off the Press reading list!

Millie has gorgeous hair. It's useful, helpful, and fun! Her best friend, Chloe, loves Millie's hair and believes it should never be cut. But when Chloe is hospitalized for cancer treatment and loses her own hair, Millie is determined to help her friend in a meaningful way.

This touching story, perfect for children ages 5 and up, explores themes of friendship and cancer with sensitivity and heart. Debut author/illustrator Bheng Pay offers a poignant narrative that serves as an excellent conversation starter about cancer. The uplifting illustrations and vibrant colors highlight the story's message of selfless love and the deep bond of friendship.

A touching story about the gift of friendship in every season. For children ages 5 years and up.

Review Quotes

Included in CBC's 2025 May Hot Off the Press reading list!

'A child's voluminous hair has many uses in this debut picture book. Millie loves her long, orange mane of tall-tale proportions. Her best friend Chloe concurs: "It's full of adventure!" Teasingly exaggerated details fill Pay's digital cartoon illustrations. Socks, lollipops, dolls and other toys are stuck in the brightly colored shocks of over-the-top hair. Out on the street, the child's free-flowing hairdo flips in the face of a passerby, and at ballet class her locks knock students at the barre off balance. Repeatedly told her tresses are tiresome and she needs to get a haircut, Millie steadfastly balks at the notion. When Chloe is hospitalized and loses her own hair during treatment, Millie immediately knows how she can help her friend as well as other children in the ward. Originally published in Dutch, this English translation has sprightly first-person narration: "I was able to share my helpful hair!" Underneath the far-fetched fun, there's a warm friendship message about selfless acts of kindness.' - Booklist Review

About the Author

Bheng Pay (1965) was born in Singapore and currently lives in London. She developed her interest in writing stories while working as an educator with young children for over 25 years.
Throughout her career, Bheng engaged children in creating stories based on their experiences and drawings at nursery. Recognising her passion of making stories for and with children, she decided to study an MA in Children's Book Illustration and Graphic Novels, providing her the opportunity to transform her real-life encounters at work into stories. This book was inspired by her experience of encountering many children who did not want to cut their hair.