Nappy Hair and I Love My Hair

Book Reviews for Nappy Hair and I Love My Hair as first printed in the November 2007 issue of Adoptive Families magazine

Nappy Hair By: Dr. Carolivia Herron

Nappy Hair, by Dr. Carolivia Herron, is far more than a simple children’s book. Both a joyful celebration of black hair, and of African American culture, it is written in the traditional “call and response” form of storytelling and beautifully illustrated by Joe Cepeda.

Nappy Hair exploded into controversy in 1998 when a white teacher was accused of propagating negative minority stereotypes for using the book in her classroom. Indeed, it is a book which must be read to the very end in order to grasp the complete message the author is communicating.

Some may find certain wording in the book offensive. In one section, the storyteller describes angels accusing God of being “mean” and “ornery”. Not until the conclusion, when God looks down on the newborn baby and says “well done” and that “one nap of her hair is the only perfect circle in nature” does one realize that the angels were short sighted all along.

In the end, the reader comes to understand that the child is treasured by her Maker and large extended family as well, right down to the very last “nappy hair” on her head.

I Love My Hair! By: Anastasia Tarpley

I Love My Hair!, by Anastasia Tarpley, is a tenderly penned tribute to African hair and the bond formed between mother and daughter through the ritual of combing, parting, and braiding.

In a world where girls of color are told far too often that their hair is “bad”, Ms. Tarpley has woven for us a stellar example of the power of truth spoken in the quiet moments of life and the treasure of a rich heritage passed down from one generation to another. Along the way, she has masterfully entwined bits of the past, securing it to the present by the thin strand of a braid in a mother’s hand.

E.B. Lewis’ soft watercolor illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to this sweet story of self acceptance, empowerment, and hope for a bright future expressed in the words of the little girl who narrates her story for us, “One of these days I just might take off and fly!”

Children of color and their parents are the target audience for I Love My Hair! but its message is certain to appeal to children universally. It is sure to become a favorite, to be read over and over again.

*These books and other resources for adoptive and ethnic families can be found at my Amazon affiliate. I am currently compiling a wide variety of toys, books and games for children of color just in time for the holiday season. Go to www.sherrigragg.com and click “resources” or click the following link: http://www.sherrigragg.com/gpage1.html

Reviews by: Sherri Gragg