A New York Times Bestseller and tie-in to Academy-Award Winning Short Film "Hair Love"
"I love that Hair Love is highlighting the relationship between a Black father and daughter. Matthew leads the ranks of new creatives who are telling unique stories of the Black experience. We need this."
- Jordan Peele, Actor & Filmmaker
It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style 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.
Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. A perfect gift for special occasions including Father’s Day, birthdays, baby showers, and more!
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**My thoughts**
Hair Love is probably one of my favorite picture books to have come out in the last several years. It's based on the Academy Award-winning film short of the same name. In the film, Zuri is determined to have her hair look absolutely perfect for a very special day: her mom is coming home following cancer treatment. She tries to do it herself, following a very special someone's video instructions online. It's too much of a struggle, so her father gives in and helps her do it.
I defy anyone to not cry watching that film.
The book is a little bit lighter, but just as moving. Zuri shows off different hairstyles that she has worn in the past and talks about how they make her feel. But on this special day, Zuri needs her hair to be absolutely perfect. Daddy offers to help, but of course has a few struggles along the way. And then, perfection, just in time for Mom to come back home.
I still get emotional reading this and was even before I finally got around to watching the film.
It's acknowledging feeling good in the natural hair you're in. It's about the bond between father and daughter. It's about appreciation and love for a mother. The little girls in my classrooms look at this book and like to compare their own hairstyles to the ones Daddy tries. They see themselves in the book, which is so important.
Some schools have banned this book. While I have read their supposed reasons behind doing so, I simply do not understand them. This book is absolutely beautiful and belongs on all the bookshelves.
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