Hair! What a surprisingly powerful part of us. Hair is one way we can celebrate our individuality, our cultures and histories, our identities. Hair can also be a struggle: we may face judgement and discrimination for how our hair looks or doesn’t look, for how much we have or don’t have, for accessories or coverings; we may feel pressure to conform to certain norms and try to get rid of hair in particular places, grow it, or change it. But it’s never too early to help children feel confident about their hair and appreciate it in all its forms! Here is a list of superb picture books to explore the meaning of hair in all its glory.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, by Derrick D. Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
Hair Twins, by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Holly Hatam
My Hair is Magic!, by M. L. Marroquin, illustrated by Tonya Engel
Hair Love, by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
What’s Silly Hair Day with No Hair?, by Norene Paulson, illustrated by Camila Carrossine
Laxmi’s Mooch, by Shelly Anand, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
Hair Story, by NoNieqa Ramos, illustrated by Keisha Morris
Bodies are Cool, by Tyler Feder
I Don’t Want Curly Hair, by Laura Ellen Anderson
Under My Hijab, by Hena Khan, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Princess Hair, by Sharee Miller
Bedtime Bonnet, by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers
Nowhere Hair, by Sue Glader, illustrated by Edith Buenen
Hair Dance!, by Dinah Johnson, photographs by Kelly Johnson
Stella’s Stellar Hair, by Yesenia Moises
I Love My Haircut!, by Natasha A. Tarpley, illustrated by E. B. Lewis