Hair Love

 

Cherry, Matthew. (2019). Hair Love. Illustrator Vashti Harrison.  Kokila ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎978- 

    0525553366

Synopsis:

It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hairstyle in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award-winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.

Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy.

My Review:

 I truly love this story because of the opportunity for children to see themselves not just with someone who has the same skin tone but one that has similarities to now. I find this book to be a wonderful book to read with my students. I have had many students become excited while reading this book because they see a little girl who looks like them. As one student stated, “She has hair like me”. I found this to be moving, and I was able to see this book through her eyes. This story Hair Love is a must-have book for all. I feel this is a great book for all races as it could be used to discuss differences but also similarities between us all. To me, the best part of all is the illustrations with vibrant colors and braided hair with beads. This book gives a positive look at fathers and daughters, especially through an African American child's view.

Awards/Reviews:

A New York Times Bestseller 
As seen on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project - Top Ten List
Georgia Children's Book Award Winner 2021
NAACP Image Award 
Irma Black Award Nominee
The Amelia Bloomer Book List
Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Summer 2019 Kids’ Indie Next List 
California Reads 2020-2021 Recommendation (California)
Bridge to Reading 2021 Nominee (Iowa)
MISelf in Books 2020 Book List (Michigan)

"Hair Love celebrates the kinks, curls, and fathers who never give up on hairstyles…even when the going gets tough.” —Shondaland.com

“[A]n important moment for representation and encouraging positive paternal moments.” – Refinery29
 
Hair Love is a dedication to black and brown boys and girls everywhere to learn to love their natural hair.” – Blavity
 
“We’re always here for a father and daughter beauty adventure…” – Essence.com
 
“Seeing such a positive representation of black men and their daughters is such a breath of fresh air…The world definitely needs more of this.” – TeenVogue.com

"A wonderful slice-of-life tale about family support, black hair, and embracing individuality." --School Library Journal, starred review 

“This delightful debut encourages self-affirmation and celebrates a loving, respectful relationship between a nurturing father and his cool, confident daughter.” – Shelf Awareness, starred review

"This authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation." --Kirkus Reviews

"Unforgettable." --Booklist

"A bighearted ode to individuality and father-daughter collaboration." --Publishers Weekly

Connections:

-          Use it to open discussion of how we are different yet similar

-          Talk about our own things that bother us about ourselves.

Lesson on self-talk.