HAIR, IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

A family with hair worth talking about stars in a book that embraces inclusion.

Macy tells her classmates about all the different types of hair and hairstyles in her black family. Grandma’s amazing Afro when she was younger is now a neat gray one. Baby sister has bright red puffy hair that she will let only Macy brush. Big sister and her friends have locs, braids, and an Afro, and cousin Kiki’s hair is a different color every time Macy sees her. The book’s most heartwarming illustration features a double-page spread of Mum combing big sister’s hair, who pats one of Macy’s puffballs, who plays in baby’s hair. Hair is truly a family affair! The vibrantly colored (perhaps watercolor) illustrations feature different types of diversity among the all-black characters: One of big sister’s friends appears to be gender nonconforming, wearing a tie, shorts, and cornrows wound into two big bantu knots; one of Macy’s classmates appears to have albinism, and Macy’s best friend, Troy, aspires to be a famous hairdresser (while Macy intends to be a famous doctor). The endpapers showcase 13 illustrated brown-skinned hair models with flair. Notably, all of the hairstyles in Freeman’s book are natural, which sends a positive message about natural Afro hair free of chemicals or heat for straightening.

A fine mirror book for kids with textured hair that has endless possibilities. (Picture book. 4-8)