Barbershop Books

Happy Juneteenth from the Barbershop Books family.
Today we are sharing a reflection on one of the most powerful weekends in our organization's history: the Reading is Freedom activation at the 2026 Roots Picnic.

We teamed up with Emerson Collective, The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation , the PA Literacy Coalition, and other local literacy organizations to bring books, free braids, and fresh cuts directly to 80,000 festival goers. The weekend included youth basketball drills with Philadelphia 76ers staff, an appearance by Allen Iverson, and hundreds of families celebrating Black authors.

The waitlist for haircuts hit four hours. Questlove's new children's book vanished into the crowd. Author Natasha Tarpley signed copies of Bippy Bop Barbershop and I Love My Hair until every last one was gone.

As our founder Alvin Irby walked through the crowd handing out golden, special edition library card lanyards, he thought about Frederick Douglass and how proud he would be to see reading receiving rock star treatment at a music festival.

Reading is Freedom.

Read the full blog post and view our photo gallery from the weekend.

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Reflections on Reading, Culture, and Freedom: A Barbershop Books Activation at the Roots Picnic Discover how Juneteenth celebrations are intertwining with efforts to boost early literacy and community engagement.

🩲 Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants is back in an all-new manga format! This graphic novel combines action, humor, and manga-inspired storytelling that will delight longtime fans and new readers alike.

📖Ages 6–9

🏴‍☠️ Captain Stinkbottom by Alicia Acosta

Captain Stinkbottom has a reputation on the high seas, and it isn't because of his pirate skills. His constant t***s have the crew laughing, but when a daring adventure calls for a hero, Captain Stinkbottom discovers that being different might be exactly what makes him extraordinary.

📖Ages 4–8

🏀 Congrats to the New York Knicks! 🎉

As Knicks fans celebrate, we're throwing it back to a special moment from the 2017–2018 season, when Barbershop Books received the Sweetwater Clifton "City Spirit" Award. Presented by Knicks legend John Starks, the award honors local heroes who have made a meaningful difference in their communities and carries on the trailblazing legacy of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the first African American to play for the Knicks.

Thank you to the New York Knicks for recognizing our work, and congratulations once again on an unforgettable season. Here's to inspiring the next generation, on and off the court. 🧡💙

Marley's Pride by Joelle Retener 🌈📚

Pride is about celebrating who you are and knowing you belong.

In Marley's Pride, Joelle Retener tells the heartwarming story of Marley, a nonbinary child who faces their fears to support their beloved Zaza at a Pride parade. Along the way, Marley discovers courage, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

This Pride Month, we're celebrating books that help children feel seen, valued, and inspired.

📖 Ages 4–8

🌋 Danny Go's Volcano Adventure by Danny Go

Join Danny Go and friends as they explore volcanoes, tackle exciting challenges, and discover fascinating science facts along the way. This action-packed story is perfect for curious readers who love learning through fun.

📖Ages 4–8

This weekend we attended the Roots Picnic and joined an incredible group of partners to celebrate literacy, community, and culture.

Alongside an incredible group of partners, we spent the weekend celebrating literacy, community, and culture.

Festivalgoers stopped by the SOUND IT OUT! pavilion to grab free books, a special-edition library card, connect with local literacy organizations, and learn about resources available to families across Philadelphia. We were proud to provide free haircuts and connect with children and families throughout the event.

One of the best parts of the weekend was seeing so many people come together around a shared belief: every child deserves the opportunity to
become a reader.

A big thank you to The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Free Library of Philadelphia, Read by 4th, PA Literacy Coalition, the African American Children's Book Project, Emerson Collective, PLUS1, and all of the partners who helped make the weekend possible.

And a special shoutout to our barber partners, Faheem Alexander, Jeremy Slaughter, Sherman Harris (Faheem's Hand of Precision), James Cooper (Major League Cuts Elite), and Tony Lee (ATL Barbershop) for providing the fresh cuts.

We're grateful to be part of a city that continues to show up for its kids. 📚💙

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🦸🏽‍♂️ Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves by Dan Santat

When a mystery unfolds, a group of superhero pets step in to save the day. With action, humor, and teamwork, this story keeps readers engaged while following characters who must work together to solve the problem.

📖 Ages 9 to 12