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“The rich African history of Black hair is spotlighted in Martins’ latest picture book…Various African tribes and cultures are represented in stunning, softly textured illustrations that show the process of people styling their hair, just as the girl is continuing that tradition now…African culture and history, vibrant illustrations, and the magic of Black hair combine for a beautifully styled tale readers will read again and again.”

—Booklist, Starred Review

“A celebration of Black hair. A modern child getting her hair done explains that her braids are rooted in “centuries of meaning.” […]They are stories “told from mother / to daughter,” “an ancient Road Map,” “Tangled Strands / coaxed free with an Afro comb.” Hair is art, beauty, identity, and more…A book to return to often, to build knowledge and foster pride.

—Kirkus Reviews

“Martins and Mukodiri Uchendu explore the cultural significance of hair across African hairstyling traditions. […] An insightful, visually stunning exploration of African hair: ‘each strand, a history. In every style, a story.’ ”

—Publishers Weekly

Hairstory

Written by Sope Martins
Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

With the lushest of language, a young girl getting her hair styled tells an overall history of African hair. Beads. Feathers. Cowries. Threads of gold. Ivory. Charcoal. Pearls. Bantu knots. Cornrows. Goddess Braids. Maps. Seeds. Afros. Clay. Dreadlocks. Woven with the greatest care. Across different African cultures. Everything rich with meaning.

– Centuries of meaning! Hair! It’s woven with history.
– It is living art—can be adorned with intricate rings, mother of pearl, feathers.
– It is identity.
– It shapes community.
– It can speak to age, wealth, or power.
– It provided escape maps for the enslaved to follow when written word was forbidden. Woven with seeds, pearls, gold, it provided a way to survive after escape.
– And to many, it contains the soul.

For centuries, people of African descent have faced prejudice and judgment over their hair. Backlash for their styles. Dictated to as to what styles are “acceptable”. But author Sope Martins boldly, exquisitely, subverts this all in her celebration of African hair and its complicated, powerful heritage.

Primary ISBN: 9781665938105
Publication Date: January 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Africa, United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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