Bedtime Bonnet

by Nancy Redd Narrated by Nancy Redd

Overview

This joyous and loving celebration of family is the first-ever picture book to highlight Black nighttime hair traditions--and is perfect for every little girl who knows what it's like to lose her bonnet just before bedtime.

In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!
My brother slips a durag over his locs.
Sis swirls her hair in a wrap around her head.
Daddy covers his black waves with a cap.
Mama gathers her corkscrew curls in a scarf.
I always wear a bonnet over my braids, but tonight I can't find it anywhere!

Bedtime Bonnet gives readers a heartwarming peek into quintessential Black nighttime hair traditions and celebrates the love between all the members of this close-knit, multi-generational family.

Perfect for readers of Hair Love and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Black Caucus of the American Library Association Top 5 Best of the Best Book of 2020. 

“Bedtime Bonnet allows Black children to see their reality reflected in their entertainment.” —Essence

"Redd’s family represents a range of varying hair textures and care routines, while Myers’s vibrant illustrations bring the close-knit crew and their daily rituals to affectionate life." —Publishers Weekly 

"A celebration of black hair, family, and culture.... This brightly hued picture book with loads of charm will entertain and empower readers." —Kirkus Reviews

“Ideal for readers searching for stories about natural hair. It is a wonderful window and mirror that lends itself well to lessons on self-concept, bedtime routines, and learning about differences.” —Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

2020-02-09
A celebration of black hair, family, and culture.

Myers’ buoyant illustrations offer a wonderful portrayal of the nocturnal rituals of hair maintenance familiar in black households around the globe. A young black girl with two afro-puffs sets the tone from the very first page: “In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!” From braids to locs, waves to rollers, each page oozes the joy of black hair in the ceremonial routine of hair love expressed by individuals within this big, happy, multigenerational family. It’s all jokes and giggles until the narrator’s bedtime bonnet goes missing. She explains that her bonnet helps to protect her hair from tangles and is as essential as brushing her teeth. As readers follow the central character’s journey through the house to find the missing bonnet, many different methods of hair protection are distinctly displayed. Grandma puts a kerchief over her rollers while older sister wears a wrap. Daddy wears a tight cap over his waves while older brother wears a do-rag over his locs. As the family tears the house apart, one family figure remains uncannily quiet, leading to a resolution with a great deal of humor and heart. Morning reveals the success of nighttime follicle protection.

This brightly hued picture book with loads of charm will entertain and empower readers. (Picture book. 4-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176132649
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	01/04/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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