Kiddie Corner~I Love My Hair

I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0-316-52375-5
32 pages
*1999 Blackboard Children's Book of the Year
*A Black Caucus American Library Association Top Recommended Book

My mom has always exhibited a creative streak. She would create wonderful photo albums covered in bright and colorful fabrics and could turn a Renuzit air freshener into all kinds of cute little dolls to decorate your home. From designing greeting cards to helping me build the best class project, my mom was the best. But what I loved the most was the way she would corn row my hair into the most unique designs. One time she even braided my initials into my hair! And if I was really lucky, she would put long strands of beads on and NOBODY could tell me anything. I'd fling my hair loud and proud, click clacking all day long.

I Love My Hair is book that was very touching to me because it speaks to young African American girls about the beauty of their natural hair. As the mother begins to style the her daughter's hair, the child winces from the tugging of the comb but the mom soothes her daughter by telling her about the wonderful things she can do with her hair. The illustrations are amazing as it shows the daughter's hair being spun like yarn into a puffy bun and parted into rows like seeds in a garden. The daughter's even shown with a string of beads in her hair, skipping down the block and looking happy as can be! One of the cutest illustrations is of the little's girls ponytails transformed into wings whisking her away into the air. What's also touched on in this book is the teasing that sometimes occurs when African American girls wear their hair in a natural style. In the story the little girl's teacher provides positive reassurance about her hair and informs her how some hair styles were a symbol of strength and pride.

I tell you, this book really hits home. My daddy picked my hair out into a big wide Afro just like his and then wanted to walk me to the store and I remember feeling that same feeling, like I didn't want to wear my hair like that. But, he talked to me and I remember feeling so good, especially after we took pictures in one of those little booths with the side curtain...he and I with our 'fros.

The story flows nicely; its a great book for reading aloud. The illustrator captures expressions wonderfully and fancifully intertwines the child's hair with various things. I read this story to my youngest daughter on a Sunday night as I was about to style her hair. She and I both enjoyed this book immensely.

Sunday Salon~Kiddie Corner and updates

Although I didn't get home from playing Poker-Keeno at my aunt's house until 1am this morning, I made it a point to read a few more chapters of The Coffee Trader by David Liss until 3am and a few more chapters when I woke up. This afternoon I had to split my time between watching the Inaugural Concert and the NFC championship. The concert was AWESOME, my Eagles...well, not so awesome.

My five year old lifted my spirits by reading one of her library books to me. Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli is an excellent choice for beginning readers with a nice balance of age appropriate sight words and adorable illustrations . My daughter enjoyed comparing how the pup tries to avoid bedtime just like she does. I then read I Love my Hair and Goldilocks and the Three Bears to her which she also enjoyed.

Earlier in the week, I finished two books that I am reading for my 2009 Reading Challenges. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is the first book I finished for the Audiobook Challenge hosted by J. Kaye. What a thought provoking book! I sat in my car and listened to the last chapter, then sat for another ten minutes (in the cold) just absorbing it all. Rivalry: A Geisha's Tale by Nagai Kafu, well, I truly enjoyed this book which I read for the Diversity Rocks Challenge and as part of Library Thing's Reading Globally discussion group, but the ending kind of let me down. It was rather abrupt. My reviews to these titles will be posted soon.

This week, I'll be finishing up the Coffee Trader by David Liss for the Early Winter 2009 reading group on Library Thing, Executive Power by Vince Flynn for the Series Challenge, and starting the Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan for the eBook Challenge also hosted by J. Kaye. On our next trip to the library, I'm going to look help my 8 year old daughter find Sugar Plum Ballerinas by Whoopi Goldberg and Deborah Underwood. It was recommended by Amazon.com based on my previous purchases and is highly rated (4 1/2 stars). Has anyone heard about the Sugar Plum Ballerinas series? What did you or your child think of the boooks?