US barber offers free haircuts to school kids if they read aloud

One enterprising barber has offered free haircuts to school kids ahead of their return to a new school year – but only on the condition they read to him as he lops off their locks.

It’s almost time to go back to school in the US, so Iowa barber Courtney Holmes decided to offer the deal to students who may find reading difficult, according to USA Today.

“The kids would come in, and I would say, ‘Go to the table and get a book you might like, and if you can’t read it, I’ll help you understand and we can read it together,” Mr Holmes told USA Today.

The father of two said he encouraged his young clients to bring their own books – and that the owner of the salon he works at, Spark Family Hair, was considering starting a monthly event combining reading and haircuts.

“I’m looking forward to keeping this going,” Mr Holmes said.