Brave

A young boy has been growing out his hair in order to wear it in brave braids. He hopes one day his hair will be long to match his dad's and the powwow dancers'. Even though brushing and detangling can hurt, he tries to be brave. When school starts, he learns he must be brave in other ways after some of his classmates pull his hair and treat him unkindly. His father shares stories of their grandfathers, how many cultural traditions were prohibited, including long hair; even the father himself had short hair as a child in private school. But those men were still brave, as is the young boy. The father says, "Be the bravest person you can be. Your ancestors' strength is inside you." Alvitre's (Tongva) illustrations feature bold lines and soft colors, showing how bravery can take on many forms. One especially profound spread shows the spirits of the grandfathers behind the father, a visual reminder of each generation's strength supporting these characters. An excellent title for classrooms, libraries, and at-home reading.

An Indigenous boy feels pride and joy in having traditional braids. "Braids are brave," begins Alvitre's (Tongva) book about hair, heritage, and resilience. The child, who narrates, explains that his long golden-brown hair is both a source of ancestral honor and a target for bullying by unkind classmates. The boy draws strength from his father, grandpa, and great-grandpa, who all lived through different eras of discrimination and cultural genocide. In the face of these traumas, the narrator's father emphasizes the child's right to wear his hair long. Alvitre's striking, cartoon-style illustrations fill the page, relying on rich colors and details to connect multiple generations of the protagonist's patrilineal family. Some of the story's examples of bravery may put off some readers. In one instance, the narrator praises his grandfather for suppressing emotion--"They cut his hair. He did not cry. He showed no fear"--which hews close to "boys don't cry" messaging. Still, Alvitre's poignant narrative primarily focuses on encouraging younger generations of Indigenous children to "feel loved and comfortable with who you are"--particularly for the courage that they demonstrate when confronting anti-Indigenous prejudice. This story has much to teach Native and non-Native kids alike about the painful history of assimilation and the power of familial affirmation. A tender tale woven with themes of resilience, courage, and love for Indigenous men.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.