This Hair Belongs

★ “An ode to natural Black hair and those who have the honor of wearing it. ‘This hair’ does, and has done, many things, according to Wood’s poetic text… Neither Brown-Wood’s text nor Robinson’s art tells a single story here: Both are busy immersing readers in a rich tapestry of Black history and culture through rhythmic spoken word and layered, detailed art showcasing lush colors, gorgeous patterns, and an incredible variety of hairstyles. The verse goes straight to the heart, where it takes up residence, while the illustrations offer a loving display of the inheritance of Black hair. At crucial moments, the text highlights ‘you,’ the child reader, enveloping young people in a sense of belonging and pride, inspiring them to understand their relationship with their hair in new and exciting ways… Myriad books have explored Black hair; this one is among the very best. This testament to Black beauty is destined to be a classic and a favorite; everyone needs this book.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“With lyrical, simile-studded prose and crisp, radiant illustrations, Brown-Wood and Robinson craft a powerful portrait of Black hair as artistry, inheritance, and pride… Textural jewel-toned visuals portray Black hair as both crown and connection across time: ‘This hair belongs in the past, the now, the future, in the real and the imagined, in the myth and in the legend.'”—Publishers Weekly