My Hair Is a Book
by Maisha Oso, Illustrated by London Ladd

Celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of Black hair in this poetic picture book that journeys through time, 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 ponytails of ancient tribes and Nubian vibes to corn rows that mapped paths to freedom for enslaved Africans. There have been stories about dance with styles that twist and swoop and the sweetest stories of Cinna-buns and Afro puffs made perfect in the hottest kitchens. 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 undeniable beauty.

Maisha Oso’s powerful and uplifting text and London Ladd’s soul-stirring illustrations capture the remarkable nature of Black hair and remind us that whether it be curly, kinky, coarse, or straight, Black hair is beautiful.