Happy to Be Nappy

Happy to Be Nappy
by Bell Hooks

Happy to Be Nappy
List Price: $6.99
Category: Book
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Book Summary Information

Author: Bell Hooks
Edition: Board book
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2001-09-01
ISBN: 0786807563
Number of pages: 16
Reading Level: Baby-Preschool
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Book Reviews of Happy to Be Nappy

Book Review: Makes me real happy
Summary: 5 Stars

I was a grown woman when I first read bell hooks's "Happy to be Nappy."

The NAACP Image Award nominee (2001) is not a bad way to celebrate the kinks and curls of a little black girls hair (and personality).

A definite read for those raising black or biracial girls (and boys). Adults can find a little inspiration for inclusion and sensitivity within this short fun book too. Naturally.

This little children's book makes me 'all girl happy.' It's a poem. It's a work of art (thanks to Chris Raschka's watercolors).

Small children will love the rhythm of book (or video) but adults will find a beat in it too. A recommended read for all parents of little African American girls. Help your little one celebrate her kinks, coils, naps, and waves--the all natural her.

Use it as a fun reading group activity. Read it with pulled tight and patted down, in the wind and all around. Invite female African American group members to share their girlhood hair memories (with pictures).

Listen. Learn. Love.

--
Linda Leigh Hargrove is the author of two works of fiction: The Making of Isaac Hunt (2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (2008). Her writings blend suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America.

Summary of Happy to Be Nappy

From famed African American feminist, social critic, and adult author, bell hooks, and award-winning author and illustrator Chris Raschka, comes a new board book edition of Happy to Be Nappy, a celebration of the beauty and joy of "nappy" hair redesigned with block type for easier reading.
Renowned feminist and social critic bell hooks takes on... hair! "Hair for hands to touch and play! Hair to take the gloom away." This rhythmic read-aloud is, on the surface, all about hair: nappy, plaited, long, short, natural, twisted, "soft like cotton, flower petal billowy soft, full of frizz and fuzz." Comb through the surface and find a celebration of childhood and girls and the freedom to express individuality. The rituals implied in the book are rooted in the traditions of hooks's own childhood, when "doing" hair was just as much an excuse for girls to laugh and tell stories and just be together. Going still deeper is the much-needed message encouraging girls to love and accept themselves (and others) just the way they are.

In bell hooks's first venture into children's books, she wisely teams up with Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Chris Raschka (Yo! Yes?, Mysterious Thelonious). Raschka's bold paint strokes on a color wash background are strikingly original--a perfect match for the exuberant text. This beautiful picture book will surely make any reader, young or old, happy to be nappy--and anyone who raved or ranted over Carolivia Herron and illustrator Joe Cepeda's Nappy Hair will welcome this joyful, celebratory book. (Click to see a sample spread. Text copyright 1999 by bell hooks. Illustrations copyright 1999 by Chris Raschka. With permission of Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children.) (Ages 3 and older) --Emilie Coulter

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