I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, E.B. Lewis (Illustrator), E. B. Lewis (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

This whimsical, evocative story about a girl named Keyana encourages African-American children to feel good about their special hair and be proud of their heritage. A BlackBoard Children's Book of the Year. Full-color illustrations.

Publishers Weekly

In Tarpley's gracefully told story, a young African American heroine celebrates her lovely head of hair as part of her heritage. Each evening, Keyana's mother lovingly combs out her tangles before bed and, when it hurts, Mama assures her that she is very lucky to have such hair "because it's beautiful and you can wear it in any style you choose." Lewis's (Creativity; Staying Cool) realistic watercolors take fanciful flight as parent and child describe what can be done with the girl's locks: braids at the top of Keyana's head become hoed rows of vegetables in a field behind her as Mama explains that she can "plant rows of braids along your scalp, the way we plant seeds in our garden"; and, pictured against the night sky, the child's Afro-styled hair metamorphoses into an image of the earth as she notes that, when she lets it "go any which-way it pleases," her hair surrounds her head "like a globe." But the style also has historical importance, for, as her teacher tells her, "wearing an Afro was a way... to stand up for what they believed." Together, author and artist impart a reassuring message for all children about the importance of appreciating what they look like as part of who they are. Ages 3-6. (Feb.)

Children's Literature

Each night before bed, Keyana's mother combs her hair. At first, Keyana's focus in on the tangles in her hair and her mother pulling the comb through her dark, thick, hair. Soon, Keyana realizes that her hair is as wonderful as the stories her mother tells her each night while combing. This charming book looks not only at the wonder of hair, but the enduring quality of love between mother and child. The watercolor illustrations add to the luster and beauty of this book for children. I Love My Hair! would make a nice read-aloud for a story time session, or one-on-one between parent and child.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2A young African-American girl describes the familiar mother-daughter nightly ritual of combing the tangles out of her hair. When she cries because it hurts, her sympathetic mother tells her how lucky she is to have such beautiful hair. Imaginatively, the woman goes on to say that she can spin it into a fine, soft bun or "plant rows of braids" along her scalp, prompting her daughter to think of other wonderful things she likes about her hair. The superb watercolor illustrations move from the intimacy and security of Keyana's bedroom to the neighborhood streets and finally to the whole world as her mother's imagery becomes reflected in the art. Keyana's hair is spun on a spinning wheel, becomes part of rows of plants in a garden, and merges with a globe of the whole world. The child's favorite style, however, is two ponytails that flap like wings on each side of her head, and the final picture is of Keyana triumphantly flying free against the blue sky. Pictures and text reflect the expanding horizons of the child's world as she learns to be proud of her distinctive hair and her heritage. Carolivia Herron's Nappy Hair (Knopf, 1997) and Alexis De Veaux's The Enchanted Hair Tale (HarperCollins, 1991) treat the same subject well, but this book has a simpler text that can be used both as a read-aloud to a group or on a mother's lap. A very special book about self-acceptance.Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

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