heisereads's review against another edition
2.0
Reread for MLIS grad class on multicultural children's literature looking at stereotyping and (mis-)representation. Based on discussions and rereading through a more critical lens, I now see some of the problematic elements with how the nappy hair, and girl with it, is talked about and referred to that could be harmful.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
It is Banned Books Week, and I am reading Challenged/Banned books. This is the ninth and last book for this week.
This book was banned (and even more happened) because it was considered racially insensitive.
This book is about a girl and her amazing (yes, I have to say amazing) hair. Though well, amazing, it isn't so amazing for the girl. Trying to tame it is impossible. Brushing? Don't even try that.
It is told by the uncle, and it tells us how the girl got her nappy hair. From God to angels to Africa. It was a pretty fun way to tell us the story about the Nappy Hair. That it was intended to be her hair. I really liked it, I am sure the girl still has her problems with her hair, but she may feel better about having it.
I watched this one on Youtube, and I love the narrator on there. She really has a way of bringing the story to life.
The art of the book is pretty OK-ish.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book was banned (and even more happened) because it was considered racially insensitive.
This book is about a girl and her amazing (yes, I have to say amazing) hair. Though well, amazing, it isn't so amazing for the girl. Trying to tame it is impossible. Brushing? Don't even try that.
It is told by the uncle, and it tells us how the girl got her nappy hair. From God to angels to Africa. It was a pretty fun way to tell us the story about the Nappy Hair. That it was intended to be her hair. I really liked it, I am sure the girl still has her problems with her hair, but she may feel better about having it.
I watched this one on Youtube, and I love the narrator on there. She really has a way of bringing the story to life.
The art of the book is pretty OK-ish.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
jlpxoxo's review against another edition
4.0
I recall being a little kid and wanting the straight pretty hair of the girls I saw on tv...not the black/mexican curly/wavy coif i was born with. It wasn't a life altering book for the 12 year old me, but still, i liked it.
eirenophile's review against another edition
5.0
Unlike some other reviewers, I found the style of transcribed story with many interlocutors both brilliant, easy to follow, and super innovative for children's books. What a totally different feel to hear so many voices without a narrator hemming things in. It's also in AAVE, which makes it one of a very few. The politics of nappy hair are obviously complex and fraught with power and privilege and this book touches on a lot of that, but in the hands of white people I could imagine this book being employed in damaging ways. But really, I thought, fantastic.
serena704's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't too big on the dialogue in the book but loved the illustrations.
ambientmagic's review against another edition
/happy gasp/ Our library has a signed copy! How lovely! The dedication reads "Be Happy! Stay Free! To the children of Tom Green County Library"
Anyway, focusing.
What a sweet story. Body positivity is important, and specifically a book like this, that focuses on the beauty of natural black hair, is excellent. Black girls growing up in America are urged on every side to conform to Western beauty standards (as is even addressed in the book!) and it's so, so good to see a book that not only reassures children that their hair is perfectly natural, but that they should be proud of it. Brenda, as illustrated by Joe Cepeda, is beautiful, and I'm glad she has role models like Uncle Mordecai to tell her so.
Anyway, focusing.
What a sweet story. Body positivity is important, and specifically a book like this, that focuses on the beauty of natural black hair, is excellent. Black girls growing up in America are urged on every side to conform to Western beauty standards (as is even addressed in the book!) and it's so, so good to see a book that not only reassures children that their hair is perfectly natural, but that they should be proud of it. Brenda, as illustrated by Joe Cepeda, is beautiful, and I'm glad she has role models like Uncle Mordecai to tell her so.
bdietrich's review
3.0
Read for 5427 class
I struggled reading this book aloud because of the vernacular and rhythm. I have absolutely no rhythm and my vernacular is pretty formal, where this was closer to Ebonics.
I struggled reading this book aloud because of the vernacular and rhythm. I have absolutely no rhythm and my vernacular is pretty formal, where this was closer to Ebonics.
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