This is one of my favorite weird picture books. Quirky illustrations, in a vintage style reminiscent of the Katzenjammer Kids, tell an equally quirky story of a beard that, threatened by a dad's decision to shave, suddenly runs away. The opening lines: "Dad and the Beard had been together for years. Then one day Dad decided to shave. The children gathered round to watch. But just then the Beard, all covered with shaving cream, began to jiggle and move. And before Dad could use the razor -- the Beard escaped!" The Beard next encounters Mom and The Baby in the kitchen: "Mom screamed and swept the Beard out of the house. But the Beard was unruffled. It waited outside until nightfall," then it crept into the little Boy's bedroom. The Boy is delighted to have a Beard to wear to school, but his teacher and principal are not, and the Beard is sent packing. Finally though, the Beard finds new life as a toupee for a bald man. One of the coolest features of this book is that it comes with a fake beard the reader can use to act out the story, or disguise himself, or whatnot. The beard shown on the book's cover is actually a fake, fuzzy beard with an elastic strap tucked into a clear plastic cover: you just take it out, put it on, and then proceed with the story. Highly recommended for people who like buying disturbing presents for their nieces and nephews, or for people who wish they had a beard.