An affirming, heartfelt picture book about a Native American boy proudly growing out his hair and basking in the knowledge that braids are beautiful.Each morning, Dad brushes the knots from his son’s long hair to braid it. The boy winces at the tugging, and at school he's teased for his braid. But he remembers the stories of how his father and grandpa were forced to cut their hair and forbidden from practicing their traditions when they were young, and how they fought to make it possible for him to wear his hair long. Although it can hurt, having long hair ultimately makes him feel brave and strong.
This powerful picture book by author-illustrator Weshoyot Alvitre examines the traumatic history of colonization and reclaims Native pride in long hair, delivering a tender father-son story that's perfect for fans of
Hair Love and
Love in the Library.
On sale: April 15, 2025
Age: 5-9 years
Grade: Grades K-4
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780593531600
Weshoyot Alvitre is a comic book artist and illustrator. She most recently worked as art director for the video game
When Rivers Were Trails and as illustrator on the graphic novel
Redrawing History with the Library Company of Philadelphia. Her books have received numerous awards and recognition, including the Eisner Award for
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream and the Prism Award for
Hummingbird Boys in Moonshot Volume 2. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
Praise for Brave by Weshoyot Alvitre:“A young boy has been growing out his hair in order to wear it in brave braids…Alvitre's (Tongva) illustrations feature bold lines and soft colors, showing how bravery can take on many forms…An excellent title for classrooms, libraries, and at-home reading.” —
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