A Kids Indie Next Pick!
★ “An ode to natural Black hair and those who have the honor of wearing it. 'This hair' does, and has done, many things, according to Wood’s poetic text... Neither Brown-Wood’s text nor Robinson’s art tells a single story here: Both are busy immersing readers in a rich tapestry of Black history and culture through rhythmic spoken word and layered, detailed art showcasing lush colors, gorgeous patterns, and an incredible variety of hairstyles. The verse goes straight to the heart, where it takes up residence, while the illustrations offer a loving display of the inheritance of Black hair. At crucial moments, the text highlights 'you,' the child reader, enveloping young people in a sense of belonging and pride, inspiring them to understand their relationship with their hair in new and exciting ways... Myriad books have explored Black hair; this one is among the very best. This testament to Black beauty is destined to be a classic and a favorite; everyone needs this book.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"With lyrical, simile-studded prose and crisp, radiant illustrations, Brown-Wood and Robinson craft a powerful portrait of Black hair as artistry, inheritance, and pride... Textural jewel-toned visuals portray Black hair as both crown and connection across time: 'This hair belongs in the past, the now, the future, in the real and the imagined, in the myth and in the legend.'"—Publishers Weekly
"Geometric patterns in bold yellows and pinks evoke the style and texture of Kente cloth, and the various hairstyles are detailed with care and bold precision. While the story touches on difficult topics at times, including enslaved Black people working on plantations, it does so tenderly, focusing mainly on taking pride in Black hair, history, and culture. Hand this to readers who need a little extra encouragement to love the hair they have."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"In a society where African American children’s hair is often deemed unacceptable, Brown-Wood (Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep, rev. 7/21) provides affirmation... The collage-like illustrations are flush with color, patterns, and movement; the human figures stand proudly and regally. The lyrical, imaginative narrative, rich with simile and metaphor, emphasizes ties to Africa, comparing the properties of Black hair to the continent’s natural resources; e.g., it 'shrinks / like the unspun cotton of kente,' it waves like rivers, and it 'curls / like the corkscrew albuca' (a South African plant). The empowering text also points to ways Black women used their hair to help escape enslavement: they hid seeds in the thick strands to plant on free soil, and they conveyed messages about freedom through cornrow designs." —The Horn Book
"...a heartfelt poetic tribute to Black hair throughout history and pays tribute to the African origins of Black hairstyles. It will remind young Black readers that their hair is magical and beautiful and belongs."—Shelf Awareness
"This picture book tells a powerful tale of Black hair through history, making little ones proud of the color, textures, and styles of their own hair today."—We Are Teachers, "Best New Books in January 2026 for Kids and Teens"
