Hair Love

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Synopsis

Depending on how she styles it, Zuri's hair let's her be anything she wants to be from a princess to a super-hero. One day, she wants an extra-special style, but with Mommy away, it's Daddy turn to step in and help her find the perfect fit.

Review

Hair Love is a children's picture book about a little girl name Zuri whose hair has lots of delightful kinks and curls that she can put up in all sorts of different ways depending on what she wants to be that day. But sometimes it can also have a mind of its own. One day, while Mommy is away, Zuri wants her hair to be just right, so she has to rely on Daddy to help her style it. After several tries, they finally find the perfect one that makes her feel special.

I'd really been looking forward to reading this book for some time, and it definitely didn't disappoint. Little Zuri is so proud of her beautiful hair. Depending on how she styles it, she can feel like anything from a princess to a super-hero. But when Mommy is away and Daddy has to help, things don't go very well until they watch a how-to video together and get it just right. This story is adorable, showcasing the genuine love between a father and his daughter as they bond over hairstyling. And when Mommy gets home, the expression of love only grows. Vashti Harrison's illustrations are sweet and heartwarming, perfectly complementing the story and expressing all the emotions this family, especially little Zuri experience. Far more than a story about hair, this is a beautiful tale of family life, self-esteem, and freely expressing yourself that would be great for everyone. I think it could be especially wonderful for families of color to see themselves represented on page. But I think it could also be helpful for any little ones with difficult to tame hair to see a little girl who appreciate hers in such a joyful way. I can't recommend it highly enough. I'd forgotten that there's also a short film of the same title that won the Oscar in its category in 2020. After this delightful reading experience, I'm definitely going to see if I can find it.

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Matthew A. Cherry

Vashti Harrison