Have you ever noticed that the majority of picture books about hair are about Black people? Have you ever wondered why? My guess is the discrimination that happens to Black people around their hair. According to the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair) Coalition's 2023 Workplace Research Study, over 20% of Black women, aged 25-34, have been sent home from work over their hair. And according to the 2021 Dove and CROWN Study for Girls, 45% of all Black girls say they have experienced hair discrimination. When you think about commercials for hair products what race do you see? Hair products are different for different races because hair between races is very different.
I remember having a conversation about this with my roommates who were from China and Japan. They struggled to find a good hairdresser who knew how to deal with their type of hair. Black people's hair is even more different. We have all heard stories about hairstyles being banned in schools. They usually discriminate against natural hairstyles of various races--Black and indigenous. Today I am sharing three new picture books (two released this week and one next week) about Black people's hair. Two are definitely written to help educate about hair discrimination. If you want to help fight hair discrimination, there is a petition you can sign at CROWN. Our first book for today is Hairstory by Sope Martins and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
Joy hums from this “glorious…beautifully styled” (Booklist, starred review) picture book celebration of the richness of the African heritage behind braids, locs, cornrows, and all manner of crowning glory, from ancient times to present day—perfect for fans of Sulwe and We Are the Ship.With the lushest of language, a young girl getting her hair styled tells an overall history of African hair. Beads. Feathers. Cowries. Threads of gold. Ivory. Charcoal. Pearls. Bantu knots. Cornrows. Goddess Braids. Maps. Seeds. Afros. Clay. Dreadlocks. Woven with the greatest care. Across different African cultures. Everything rich with meaning.
- Centuries of meaning! Hair! It’s woven with history.
- It is living art—can be adorned with intricate rings, mother of pearl, feathers.
- It is identity.
- It shapes community.
- It can speak to age, wealth, or power.
- It provided escape maps for the enslaved to follow when written word was forbidden. Woven with seeds, pearls, gold, it provided a way to survive after escape.
- And to many, it contains the soul.
For centuries, people of African descent have faced prejudice and judgment over their hair. Backlash for their styles. Dictated to as to what styles are “acceptable”. But author Sope Martins boldly, exquisitely, subverts this all in her celebration of African hair and its complicated, powerful heritage.
From Me:
This book is amazing! It shares the traditions and customs of various African cultures around hair. It shares how hair is history, art, identity, roots, stories, and tangled strands. It shares how some cultures saw hair as sacred and could only be touched by family. It then goes into various traditions of the Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo, Fon, Himba, Mbalantu, Fante, Wolof, Asante, Wagogo, Mandingo and Mende Peoples. At the end of the book is More Hairstories which shares about different cultures traditions around hair. (Note these pages are available for download on the Simon and Schuster website under the Resources and Downloads tab.
The pages alternate between the young girl expressing what her hair means to her and stories from the various cultures about styles and more. It shares so much about what hair and hairstyles mean to these cultures and thus to the Black people who are the descendants of these cultures. The pages are beautiful, and the illustrations add more about the cultures. Every culture and every family has certain hairstyles and hair stories. I can think of many of my own. This book shows the power and self-love that hair and hairstyles can have.
It is important that we all fight for everyone's right to wear their hair how they want and what works best for them. This book shares a bit of history, culture and why it is so important.
Our next book is about braids and really is pushing how some schools ban braids and cornrows. The book is A Black Girl and Her Braids by Jaylene Clark Owens and illustrated by Brittney Bond. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.
About the Book:
Based on the viral poem, braids of all lengths, looks, parts, and styles are explored and cheered on in this vibrant picture book celebrating the versatility of Black hair.Join author Jaylene Clark Owens as she pens an ode to Black girls and braids, a dynamic duo. This empowering picture book shines a light on what braids mean to Black girls of all ages and shows how Black communities have managed to continuously make space for braids, paying homage to their origins while making fun and futuristic styles, despite rules and regulations attempting to condemn them. Braids of all lengths, colors, and styles are brought to life with detailed illustrations from Brittney Bond, crafting a timeless book which honors creativity, encourages confidence, and calls for Black girls to proudly show off their braids no matter what!
From Me:
This book is all about a Black girl's braids. It shares the different ways the braids can be worn and how they make some Black girls feel. It also addresses how braids are prohibited some places even though they are not bad. The braids represent the girl, her culture, her family and more. They also are a healthy style for Black girls' hair. The book shows a picture of the girl asking neighbors to support the CROWN Act. The book truly shares the joy of a Black girl getting fresh braids.
Last year I had a student who was learning how to professionally braid Black hair. I can honestly say she would love these books! I wish I still saw her so I could give them to her. This book is about the purpose of the braids as well as the culture and the feeling for a woman to have them. The illustrations are very detailed and share the various hairstyles of braids and so much more. For another book about Black girl braids be sure to check out this review.
Our final book is not being released until next week and it is about a Black boy and his dad. I felt it should be shared with these two books since I want to represent all genders. The book is Haircut Day with Dad by Monica Mikai. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
This touching picture book takes a look at the beautiful relationship between a Black father and son when they spend the day at a barbershop. Perfect for Father’s Day or all year round!Haircut day is just for me and Dad. We wake up early and grab breakfast to go. Our hair has grown out and we still look fly, but it’s time to visit the barbershop.
A barbershop is a magical place filled with laughter, games, and most importantly, fresh cuts. Barbershops provide the care and expertise needed for cutting Black hair. This uplifting story shows how barbershops are centers of community for African Americans of all ages to unite and share in moments of self-care.
Haircut Day with Dad follows a boy and his dad as they spend the day in their happy place—the barbershop—where they take time out to bond and focus on themselves. The vibrant scenes show how the routine of cutting Black hair at a barbershop fosters a connection between a father, a son, and their community.
From Me:
This book shares the special community of a Black barber shop. The haircut day is a special day for this young Black boy because it means a day with his dad at a place that Black men gather to hang out. He shares all of his emotions and events of a haircut. Thoughts of changing the style but usually just going for the same trim. How he and his father feel like kings when they are robed in the barber chairs. Having his haircut helps the young boy feel a little taller and perhaps a little older but having it cut beside his dad makes him feel extra special.
I love how the book shares the young boy's thoughts and point of view about haircut day. It makes him feel special but also part of a community. It gives the feeling of him joining the Black men's club known as the barbershop. It is exciting and special. I also love how he focuses on how part of why it is so special is it is a day with Dad, his best friend. It has family love and shows his respect and love for his father as well as his father's love for him. It is truly a sweet book. For another book about a Black boy's day at the barbershop check out this review.
