Review by Booklist Review
In the opening spread, a child's face glows in a room filled with gorgeous fabrics, too many to behold; her awe is palpable. Behind her, two women greet each other warmly, their hair wrapped in different styles. This book pays tribute to the art and tradition of hair wrapping practiced by women in Africa and its diaspora. This lyrical poem, narrated by the little girl, invites readers into this intimate and important tradition, with all the associated feelings and significance. As a woman wraps the child's hair in a swath of fabric, the girl is filled with emotion: a deep sense of pride and connection to her history and her place in the world. The illustrations bring her joy to life, with exuberant colors and patterns reflecting block print, batik, tie-dye, and other traditional motifs and designs used to decorate the fabrics. Cultural insiders will recognize the motifs and wrapping styles specific to particular African regions, while others will have to do a bit of research for that information. Either way, this is indeed a book of Black joy.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
As a brown-skinned child stands in a fabric-filled store at the start of this artfully created picture book, an adult wearing a headwrap prepares to fold a yellow length around the child's natural hair: "When I wrap my hair, I feel new, like a golden sunrise, sprinkling light across the clouds." Next, pages show the child having their hair wrapped while sitting alongside a dot-pattered river abutted by plants and dense blades of grass: as "a ribbon of color washes over me... the past comes to carry me through ancient rivers that turn and tumble." Art that evokes bright, flowing textiles also envisions Black elders as part of the changing fabric design, wearing robes and hair coverings of various types ("When I wrap, my roots run deep"). Earnest, celebratory text from Grant (My Fade Is Fresh) and flowing, intricately worked illustrations by Mohammed (Naming Ceremony), which suggest the feel of batik and tie-dye, draw connections between the child, their hair wrapped in the present, and "a thousand grandmothers all around me" who, crucially, "tell me I am beautiful.// They tell me I'm home." Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette. Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator's agent: Christy Tugeau Ewers, CAT Agency. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4--Vibrant colors and lyrical prose intermingle to depict the emotions of a young girl as she wraps her hair in the traditional style of her African culture. The colors of sun, sky, earth, and trees surround her, and the connections to an ancient past speak to her as "I feel a thousand grandmothers around me." The colors transport her to the river, the woods, and the marketplace as her mother and grandmother wrap her hair, and the stories of her history weave together in "one beautiful tone." Illustrations by Mohammed shine in this simple reflection of a young girl's experience with her hair. The emotions fairly pulsate from the pages in exquisite color and light as sheer joy. This message of positivity and cultural connection is simply written yet strikingly brought to life in images that reflect an everlasting bond to rituals. VERDICT An enchanting addition to libraries, where cultural connections are key; the artwork will inspire creativity in any classroom.--Carol Connor
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
When a Black child wraps her hair, she feels her deep roots within and around her. Accompanied by a caregiver, a child with a puffy Afro visits a shop filled with material in vibrant colors and patterns. The shop owner and the child's caregiver both wear brightly hued headwraps. As the caregiver wraps the child's hair in various colored fabrics, poetic lines of text convey the young protagonist's thoughts and emotions: "I feel new, like a golden sunrise," "I find myself inside an emerald-orange glow," "I feel a thousand grandmothers around me." On each spread, African people and landscapes, as well as those from the African diaspora, surround the child, from a marketplace with women selling goods to a city street lined with cars. Various styles of headwraps and dress are featured throughout. The spare lines of verse read like a lovely, layered poem that feels just as fresh and original each time it's read. The lush illustrations radiate energy; intricate designs that recall marbled paper, batik, tie-dye, and prints will keep little ones entranced through many readings. Wordless opening and closing spreads allow a graceful entry and exit from the tale's magic. This story of connection to a tradition and style offers a warm hug to those familiar with the practice as well as a glorious introduction for newcomers. A mesmerizing ode to a practice steeped in meaning. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
