maria_hossain's review
4.0
This is a beautiful book that presents the message that all children, regardless of age, size, skin color, or faith, are beautiful and wonderful and lovely, because all children are created after God's image, which is perfect. Everything we are have been modeled after God and therefore, all of us are valid and we all matter and we're all beautiful and wonderful. It's a good little book with stunning illustrations and heartwarming messages.
Thank you, NetGalley and InterVarsity Press, IVP Kids, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you, NetGalley and InterVarsity Press, IVP Kids, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
panda_incognito's review
3.0
This picture book teaches children about the beauty in diversity and the Christian story of Pentecost, as Josey Johnson and her dad prepare for a special Sunday at church. The story is nice, with colorful pictures and a sweet daddy/daughter bond, but the book is mainly focused on teaching Christian self-esteem values, without much of a story. This is a great teaching tool, but not a particularly strong narrative to return to again and again.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
tearexmama's review
5.0
A lovely story with gorgeous artwork. Seriously, I cannot get over the artwork. The different hairstyles and the way they were used to fill the page and tell the story was great. I adore the way the words sometimes follow the shape of the hair, or how the hair acted as a transition into the artwork of Josey's imagination. Love it so much.
I really appreciate the focus on Pentecost. I feel like that is such an important biblical event that doesn't get near enough focus in Christian children's stories and worship times. Great, quick little read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Intervarsity Press for the ARC
I really appreciate the focus on Pentecost. I feel like that is such an important biblical event that doesn't get near enough focus in Christian children's stories and worship times. Great, quick little read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Intervarsity Press for the ARC
lifeisstory's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I had been super hyped for Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit ever since IVP Kids first announced it. I was a huge fan of Esau McCaulley’s Reading While Black, but had no idea how that non-fiction talent would translate into a children’s book. Maybe it was the expectations I’d set for it, maybe I was led to believe I was getting a different book, but I was ultimately left a bit underwhelmed by the story.
The main problem I saw with the book is that the story’s plot and theme never cohere in a strong enough fashion. There are basically two stories: Josey Johnson’s Hair and The Story of Pentecost. In the first part of the book, we’re introduced to Josey Johnson, who is getting ready to have her hair braided for Pentecost. The book focuses on the beauty of Black hair and how—especially for Black women—hair is a huge part of racial identity and culture. The second half of the book consists of Josey’s dad explaining Pentecost to her, culminating in Josey and her beautifully-braided hair attending a multicultural church service to celebrate Pentecost.
It was as if McCaulley was asked to do a story about Black hair but really wanted to talk about Pentecost, or was asked to do a story about Pentecost but wanted to talk about Black hair. The back cover of the book reads “We’re all different because God is creative. Each one of us is God’s unique work of art.” This leads me to think the cohering element of the book was supposed to be the movement from an expression of cultural identity moving into a multicultural celebration of the Holy Spirit’s presence on anyone regardless of ethnic or cultural background. Unfortunately, that connection is never quite completely made.
My other criticism is that McCaulley does a lot of telling, rather than showing. Most of the book is Josey’s dad giving a long didactic explanation of what Pentecost celebrates. The depth of explanation and the vocabulary used limits engagement with younger readers (or, at least, my younger readers). My daughter was very much interested in Josey getting her hair done just like she does. Not so much interested in the explanation of Pentecost. Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit is too much of a teaching tool and not enough creative expression. It sounds like a lecture rather than art.
Looking at other reviews of this book, it’s clear that most people don’t seem to share my concerns and that the positive message the book sends overshadows any flaws it might have. It’s a decent teaching tool that lacks a strong cohesive narrative. The illustrations are incredibly and eye-catching. The variety of Black hairstyles pictured capture a diversity within hair, symbolizing the diversity within humanity. As art, it is an engaging work. As story, it falls somewhat short.
The main problem I saw with the book is that the story’s plot and theme never cohere in a strong enough fashion. There are basically two stories: Josey Johnson’s Hair and The Story of Pentecost. In the first part of the book, we’re introduced to Josey Johnson, who is getting ready to have her hair braided for Pentecost. The book focuses on the beauty of Black hair and how—especially for Black women—hair is a huge part of racial identity and culture. The second half of the book consists of Josey’s dad explaining Pentecost to her, culminating in Josey and her beautifully-braided hair attending a multicultural church service to celebrate Pentecost.
It was as if McCaulley was asked to do a story about Black hair but really wanted to talk about Pentecost, or was asked to do a story about Pentecost but wanted to talk about Black hair. The back cover of the book reads “We’re all different because God is creative. Each one of us is God’s unique work of art.” This leads me to think the cohering element of the book was supposed to be the movement from an expression of cultural identity moving into a multicultural celebration of the Holy Spirit’s presence on anyone regardless of ethnic or cultural background. Unfortunately, that connection is never quite completely made.
My other criticism is that McCaulley does a lot of telling, rather than showing. Most of the book is Josey’s dad giving a long didactic explanation of what Pentecost celebrates. The depth of explanation and the vocabulary used limits engagement with younger readers (or, at least, my younger readers). My daughter was very much interested in Josey getting her hair done just like she does. Not so much interested in the explanation of Pentecost. Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit is too much of a teaching tool and not enough creative expression. It sounds like a lecture rather than art.
Looking at other reviews of this book, it’s clear that most people don’t seem to share my concerns and that the positive message the book sends overshadows any flaws it might have. It’s a decent teaching tool that lacks a strong cohesive narrative. The illustrations are incredibly and eye-catching. The variety of Black hairstyles pictured capture a diversity within hair, symbolizing the diversity within humanity. As art, it is an engaging work. As story, it falls somewhat short.
bronsonmh's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a beautifully illustrated Christian book about a young girl who was getting her hair done for the Pentecostal service at her father's church and she has questions about why are people so different. I think the author Esau McCaulley did a great job explaining about why God chooses to make people different. This book is for young black girls so they may read books about them, but I also think this book all young children could read. To learn about others and why we are different, but in a good way.
I thought this was a beautifully illustrated Christian book about a young girl who was getting her hair done for the Pentecostal service at her father's church and she has questions about why are people so different. I think the author Esau McCaulley did a great job explaining about why God chooses to make people different. This book is for young black girls so they may read books about them, but I also think this book all young children could read. To learn about others and why we are different, but in a good way.
jozefsyndicate's review
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
Colorful presentation of a girl's day preparing for the special day of Pentecost and a father's gentl explanation of being uniquely made by God.
imlaurenshelton's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A great Christian children’s book that touches on the importance of Pentecost and that we are all made in God’s image and are fearfully and wonderfully made. It includes Black culture and is geared more for Black girls, per the author’s note - however, this would be a great read for all children. The flow of the story was a bit odd, maybe just the beginning threw me off. The illustration is beautiful and I love the way the words are woven into the pictures. This is an awesome way to introduce discussions with your little ones who may be asking “why are we different” and even to talk about Pentecost. I received this copy of Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit from InterVarsity Press through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
bookisheverafter's review
4.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I probably should’ve looked at description or at least the full title before I clicked READ NOW, but I loved the cover and the title begins with Josey Johnson’s Hair so I didn’t. Well, I’m glad I didn’t, since as an atheist I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. And even though the whole God content was not my type (again, totally my fault that I didn’t know what it was about), I loved the way they explained diversity. It felt really inclusive plus the art is absolutely beautiful.
I probably should’ve looked at description or at least the full title before I clicked READ NOW, but I loved the cover and the title begins with Josey Johnson’s Hair so I didn’t. Well, I’m glad I didn’t, since as an atheist I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. And even though the whole God content was not my type (again, totally my fault that I didn’t know what it was about), I loved the way they explained diversity. It felt really inclusive plus the art is absolutely beautiful.
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