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
Matthew A. Cherry | Vashti Harrison | Kokila | 2019 | Amazon | IndieBound
Boonoonoonous Hair
Olive Senior | Laura James | Tradewind Books | 2019 | Amazon | IndieBound
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
Derrick Barnes | Gordon C. James | Agate, Denene Millner | 2017 | Amazon | IndieBound
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
Alonda William | Tyrus Goshay | Glori Publications | 2013 | Amazon | IndieBound
Big Hair, Don’t Care
Crystal Swain-Bates | Megan Bair | Goldest Karat Publishing | 2013 | Amazon | IndieBound
Bippity Bop Barbershop
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley | E. B. Lewis | Little Brown BYR | 2002 | Amazon | IndieBound
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
bell hooks | Chris Raschka | Jump At The Sun | 1999 | Amazon | IndieBound
I Love My Hair!
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley | E. B. Lewis | Little Brown BYR | 1998 | Amazon | IndieBound
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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