A New York Times Bestseller and tie-in to Academy-Award Winning Short Film "Hair Love"
"I love that Hair Love is highlighting the relationship between a Black father and daughter. Matthew leads the ranks of new creatives who are telling unique stories of the Black experience. We need this."
- Jordan Peele, Actor & Filmmaker
It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy.
Tender and empowering,
Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. A perfect gift for special occasions including Father’s Day, birthdays, baby showers, and more!
On sale: May 14, 2019
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Grades 6-8
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780525553366
Reading level: Lexile: AD480L | Fountas/Pinnell: J
Chicago native Matthew A. Cherry is a former NFL wide receiver turned filmmaker who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens. In 2007 he retired and moved to LA to pursue a career in entertainment. Now, he directs music videos, television, and short films, including "Hair Love," the Academy award-winning short film based on this book. Matthew was named to
Paste Magazine's list of Directors to Watch in 2016.
Vashti Harrison is the author-illustrator of the
New York Times bestselling books
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History,
Dream Big Little One, Little Legends, and
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia with a double major in Media Studies and Studio Art, and received her MFA in Film and Video from CalArts where she snuck into Animation classes to learn from Disney and Dreamworks legends. There she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now, utilizing both skill sets, she is passionate about crafting beautiful stories in both the film and picture book worlds.
PRAISE FOR
HAIR LOVE
A New York Times Bestseller
As seen on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project - Top Ten List
Georgia Children's Book Award Winner 2021
NAACP Image Award
2020 Irma Black Award Honor Book
The Amelia Bloomer Book List
Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Summer 2019 Kids’ Indie Next List
California Reads 2020-2021 Recommendation (California)
Bridge to Reading 2021 Nominee (Iowa)
MISelf in Books 2020 Book List (Michigan)
2019 Goodreads Choice Award: Nominated for Best Picture Book
"Hair Love celebrates the kinks, curls, and fathers who never give up on hairstyles…even when the going gets tough.” —Shondaland.com
“[A]n important moment for representation and encouraging positive paternal moments.” – Refinery29
Hair Love is a dedication to black and brown boys and girls everywhere to learn to love their natural hair.” – Blavity
“We’re always here for a father and daughter beauty adventure…” – Essence.com
“Seeing such a positive representation of black men and their daughters is such a breath of fresh air…The world definitely needs more of this.” – TeenVogue.com
"A wonderful slice-of-life tale about family support, black hair, and embracing individuality."
--School Library Journal, starred review
“This
delightful debut encourages self-affirmation and
celebrates a loving, respectful relationship between a nurturing father and his cool, confident daughter.” –
Shelf Awareness, starred review
"This authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation." --
Kirkus Reviews
"Unforgettable." --
Booklist
"A bighearted ode to individuality and father-daughter collaboration." --
Publishers Weekly
