Gift Ideas: 20 Happy Hair Tales!

Happy to be nappy!
Happy with hair all short and strong.
Happy with locks that twist and curl.
Just all girl happy!
Happy to be nappy hair!

That expressive excerpt is from bell hooks’ Happy to Be Nappy. This year, 2019, is the 20th anniversary of its release. Publishers Weekly described it as, “Bubbling over with affection, and injecting a strong self-esteem boost for girls.” Before hooks’ foray into children’s literature, there were very few books that spoke positively about Black hair. I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley is a standout selection that was also well received. It was published just one year prior. Today the subject of Black hair is being explored more in children’s literature by major publishers and indie authors, and the list reflects that. The selections also include the 2020 release of Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe. To add to our happy hair tales, leave a comment below. Happy Holidays and spread the joy of reading! Our stories matter.

Cool Cuts

Mechal Renee Roe | Doubleday BYR | 2020 | Amazon | IndieBound

Happy Hair

Mechal Renee Roe | Doubleday BYR | 2019 | Amazon | IndieBound

Hair Love

Boonoonoonous Hair

My Hair Is a Garden

Cozbi A. Cabrera | Albert Whitman & Company | 2018 | Amazon | IndieBound

Princess Hair

Sharee Miller | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 2018 | Amazon | IndieBound

Hair: It’s A Family Affair

Mylo Freeman | Cassava Republic Press | 2018 | Amazon

Don’t Touch My Hair!

Sharee Miller | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 2018 | Amazon | IndieBound

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

My Hair Is Poofy & That’s Okay

Nikkolas Smith | VJS Productions | 2017 | Amazon

Furqan’s First Flat Top

Robert Liu-Trujillo | Come Bien Books | 2016 | Amazon | IndieBound

Penny and the Magic Puffballs

Big Hair, Don’t Care

Bippity Bop Barbershop

Crowning Glory

Joyce Carol Thomas | Brenda Joysmith | HarperCollins | 2002 | Amazon

Bintou’s Braids

Sylvianne Diouf | Shane Evans | Chronicle Books | 2001 | Amazon

Happy to Be Nappy

I Love My Hair!

Cornrows

Camille Yarbrough | Carole Byard | Putnam Juvenile | 1988 | Amazon

An Enchanted Hair Tale

Alexis De Veaux | Cheryl Hanna | HarperCollins | 1987 | Amazon

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