Hair Love

by Matthew A Cherry (Author)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

"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 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.

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Hardcover
$17.99

Publishers Weekly

Based on Cherry's animated short film of the same title, this picture book about a black girl and her hair pairs the first-time children's book author and Harrison, an author, illustrator, and filmmaker. Zuri is proud of her hair, which "kinks, coils, and curls every which way." But she needs a spectacular coif on a special day. Her devoted father tackles the task, gamely noting that it will be "a piece of cake." Harrison's emotionally charged digital images of Zuri's reactions match the exasperated girl's spot-on utterances: when he desperately pulls a woolen hat over her head, she urges, "We can do better than that"--and they do. With Zuri's encouragement, her stylist nails it, fashioning "funky puff buns" just in time for a rewarding apogee: Mommy's return home. A bighearted ode to individuality and father-daughter collaboration. Ages 4-8. (May)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

PreS-Gr 3--Zuri wakes up on a very special day and needs a perfect hairstyle. The young black girl thinks of the wondrous things her hair can do and how it reflects her personality: "I love that my hair lets me be me!" Full-page spreads alternate with smaller sequential art as Zuri imagines herself a regal princess with beaded braids and a superhero with Afro puffs. When it comes time for the unidentified event, Zuri needs all the hair help she can get; luckily, Daddy is right by her side. With a comb and video tutorials in hand, he tries a number of styles to no avail; they just aren't special enough! Finally, the pair land the perfect look, and Zuri feels more ready than ever for her special event--her mother's long-awaited return. Cherry has crafted a celebration of black hair and family that will connect with many. Young readers may be all too familiar with Zuri's longing and excitement for a loved one to come home. Harrison's charming digital renderings thrive both in their detail and in the abstract, from the typical kid detritus piled under Zuri's bed to the dreamy pastel backgrounds. The characters' vivacity leaps off the page with sweetness and gentle humor; Zuri's unimpressed expressions will guarantee laughs during read-alouds. Mommy's headwrap and Daddy's locs may be an introduction, or a welcome moment of familiarity, for a variety of readers. VERDICT A wonderful slice-of-life tale about family support, black hair, and embracing individuality. Highly recommended for picture book collections.--Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

awesome

5 out of 5

Matthew A Cherry
Chicago native Matthew A. Cherry is a former NFL wide receiver turned filmmaker who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens. In 2007 he retired and moved to LA to pursue a career in entertainment. Now, he directs music videos, television, and short films, including Hair Love, the Academy Award-winning short film based on this book.

Vashti Harrison is the author-illustrator of the New York Times bestselling books Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, Dream Big Little One, Little Legends, and Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia with a double major in Media Studies and Studio Art, and received her MFA in Film and Video from CalArts, where she snuck into animation classes to learn from Disney and Dreamworks legends. There she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now, utilizing both skill sets, she is passionate about crafting beautiful stories in both the film and picture book worlds.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780525553366
Lexile Measure
480
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Kokila
Publication date
May 14, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV013000 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | General
Library of Congress categories
-

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