My Hair Is a Book

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

Written in lively verse, My Hair Is a Book takes you on a journey through time and space to celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of Black hair and hairstyles, from stunning debut author Maisha Oso and NAACP Image Award nominee artist London Ladd of Black Gold.

My hair is a book.Watch me open it,part it,take a look.Black hair has been telling stories for generations, from those that braided together paths to freedom for slaves to styles whose twists and loop de loops tell of the strength and power inherent in all little Black boys and girls. It tells of ancient tribes, Nubian vibes, a book that’s stellar, a bestseller. In each of these stories, one notion rings true: Black hair is everything—rich with history, a thesaurus, an atlas, and more, telling of truth, trials, and beauty.Maisha Oso’s powerful and uplifting text and London Ladd’s soul-stirring illustrations capture the eclectic nature of Black hair and remind us that whether it be coily, kinky, coarse, or straight, Black hair is beautiful.

About the Author

Maisha Oso is the author of Buster the Bully and other forthcoming picture books. She writes stories to empower, entertain, and encourage emotional intelligence in young children. A former strategy and analytics professional from New York City, Maisha is currently working in her most challenging role to date: a stay-at-home mom of three tiny humans. When she’s not writing, you can find her wrangling her kids, binge watching an unhealthy amount of reality television, or belting out lyrics from the Hamilton soundtrack. After living in Africa for several years, Maisha and her family have recently moved back stateside to Alpharetta, Georgia. Visit her at maishaoso.com.London Ladd graduated with a BFA and MFA in illustration. He is the illustrator of Lend a Hand, Frederick’s Journey, and March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World. He uses a unique mixed-media approach to bring his diverse subjects to life. Each image is steeped in intensity and emotion, a reflection of the artist himself. London lives in Syracuse, New York. Visit him at londonladd.com.