Publishers Weekly
04/15/2019
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)
From the Publisher
PRAISE FOR HAIR LOVE
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
School Library Journal
★ 05/01/2019
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
MARCH 2020 - AudioFile
Narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson becomes Zuri, a little girl with plenty of sass and sweetness. Her voice radiates black girl magic as she describes the amazing things her hair can do—like braids making her a princess and puffs flying her up above the clouds. Evenly blended sound effects illustrate the story—for example, sounds that suggest Zuri’s imagination and her pet cat, Rocky. On a very special day, her noisy attempt to do her own hair wakes up her dad. As in the author's Oscar-winning short film of the same name, her dad goes through a few failed attempts before giving her the perfect “do” for her mom’s homecoming. The cheerful ending pulls the listener into a warm family embrace. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2019-03-03
A black girl helps her dad learn how to give her the perfect hairstyle for a very special day.
Zuri's voluminous head of hair "has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way." She is pictured asleep with a large Afro framing her face. She is proud of her hair, which she sometimes wears in braids with beads like a princess and other times in pigtail puffs. But today is a special day. She knows Daddy is "worn-out" and probably needs a break, so she lets him sleep in while she looks up hairstyles on a tablet. When Daddy wakes and offers to help, he tries a series of hairstyles that just don't work. Finally, Zuri grabs some hair supplies and shows him a tutorial. "Watching carefully… / Daddy combed, / parted, oiled, and twisted. / He nailed it!" Zuri is lovely and happy with her freshly done hairstyle, and when Mommy arrives to their "Welcome Home" sign, she loves Zuri's look too. The digital illustrations feature details that feel just right: Zuri's thick, textured hair, Daddy's locs and tattoo, and dark-skinned Mom's bright headwrap. While it's unclear where Mommy is returning from (she is dressed casually and has a rolling black suitcase), this authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation.
Positively refreshing. (Picture book. 4-9)
