October 1st is National Hair Day, so there is no better time to learn about hair, hairstyling, and all the fun ways that hair can connect to culture! Luckily, tons of children’s books about hair have been published in recent years, each one celebrating hair as a method of self-expression. This month’s S-Collection blog offers suggestions for children’s books about all types of hair. The picture books are perfect for young readers eager to learn about hair diversity and hair love, while the juvenile fiction books tell more complicated stories about growing up with hair that is “different” than your peers. The S-Collection has what you need to promote hair love this October!

Picture Books

Cherry, Matthew
Illustrated by: Vashti Harrison
Hair Love. 2019. Picture Book.
Perhaps the most quintessential book about hair love in children’s literature is Matthew Cherry’s Hair Love (2019). This book is set on a very special day in Zuri’s household, and she needs a special hairstyle to match the mood. She wakes up early and goes on her tablet to get inspiration, trying to decide between braids, Afro puffs, and dozens of other styles. When Zuri’s dad wakes up, he grabs the comb and gets to work, following a video tutorial to make sure every curl is placed just right. Check out this book or the 2019 Academy Award-winning animated short it inspired to see what style they settle on and to celebrate the beauty of Black hair.
SE. C4244ha

Hill, Susanna Leanard
Illustrated by: Daniel Wiseman
When Your Llama Needs a Haircut. Board Book.
It’s picture day, but this llama’s hair is not picture-perfect. Luckily, he has a young boy to help him out. The boy plucks the plants out of the llama’s hair, combs it the best he can, and considers all kinds of styles (even a mohawk) so that the llama can feel confident in front of the camera.
SE. H5558w

Lindstrom, Carole
Illustrated by: Steph Littlebird
My Powerful Hair. 2023. Picture Book.
When this young girl’s mother and grandmother were forced to attend residential schools designed to “assimilate” indigenous children, they were not allowed to grow their hair out. Instead, they were forced to keep it cut short, taking away their agency and self-expression. This young girl decides to exercise her freedom by letting her hair grow long, following the tradition of only cutting it after a loved one dies. The power of hair to inspire confidence and love for one’s family and culture is enhanced throughout this book by beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose.
Q. SE. L6458my

Miller, Sharee
Don’t Touch My Hair! 2018. Picture Book.
Aria loves her beautiful curly hair—the problem is, other people do not respect her boundaries. When they see Aria’s hair, they reach out and touch it without permission. Aria tries to escape the unwanted contact, first by jumping away, later by curling up into a ball, and eventually by escaping to the bottom of the ocean and outer space. However, even the aliens on the moon can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves! Deciding to stand up for herself, Aria tries out a simple phrase: Don’t touch my hair! Young readers will learn about manners and how to set boundaries in this colorful and engaging picture book.
Q. SE. M61831do

Yvette, LaTonya
The Hair Book. 2022. Board Book.
This board book uses quirky, colorful illustrations to celebrate all kinds of hair, from dyed hair to hair in braids to hair covered up by a hijab or kippah.
SE. Y95ha

Juvenile Fiction

Holub, Joan and Williams, Suzanne
Sif and the Dwarfs’ Treasures. 2018. Juvenile Fiction.
This sequel to Thunder Girls: Freya and the Magic Jewel follows a different attendee of the mythical Asgard Academy, Sif. Sif, the Norse goddess, is just 12 years old in this book, and school is made difficult for her by the constant antics of the god of mischief, Loki. Loki’s pranks go too far when he shears off Sif’s magical hair, which is where she draws her powers. Even worse, the food supply in Midgard is dwindling, and Sif was the community’s last hope of growing enough wheat to survive the winter. Sif, Freya, and Loki must set out to undo Loki’s mistake and save their community from certain starvation.
S. H747tgsi

Miller, Sharee
New in Town. 2023. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
Charlie’s dad is in the air force, so she’s used to moving around a lot. Staying in one place, however, might take some getting used to. Her dad recently retired, so Charlie wants to make lifelong friends at her new school, and she believes the best way to do that is to fit in. She tries to follow all the latest trends and even decides that if she wants to be seen as cool, she can’t wear her Afro. However, after a run-in with the “Curlfriends” – a group of curly-haired Black girls at the school who are friendly, outgoing, and confident in themselves – she begins to wonder if maybe being herself is the best way to have a joyful middle school experience.
S.741.5973 M61822cune

Ortega, Claribel A.
Illustrated by: Rose Bousamra
Frizzy. 2022. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
Marlene loves her curly, beautiful hair, but her mother claims it is too “frizzy” and not “presentable” enough for a growing girl. Marlene is forced to spend each Sunday at the hair salon having her hair straightened, all while being told that the “best” hair to have is hair that is long, straight, and blonde. Through the help of her best friend and her kind aunt Ruby, however, Marlene begins to realize that her mother might be wrong, and her hair is perfect as it is.
S. F1312ni

Winston, Sherri
The Braid Girls. 2022. Juvenile Fiction.
Daija and Maggie have big plans this summer: While they are at their Jacksonville summer camp, they are going to start a hair braiding business to make some extra money. A wrench is thrown into their plans when Maggie learns that her father has another daughter, Callie, who will be joining them at the camp this summer. Daija is worried that adding Callie into the mix will drive a wedge between her and Maggie’s friendship, while Maggie is hesitant to suddenly accept a half-sister into her life. Despite this, Maggie and Daija decide that Callie can join in their business. Further trouble comes when a rival hair braiding business begins to steal their clients, forcing the trio to learn to work together both as business partners and friends.
S. W733br

Zinck, Valija
Translated by: Helen Jennings
All the Colors of Magic. 2019. Juvenile Fiction.
Penelope isn’t like the other kids: Her hair is gray, for one, and a mysterious rain always falls on her birthday that only she can see. Penelope is seeking answers, but her mother and grandmother are hesitant to give them. One day, Penelope wakes up and her hair is a bright red —just like the hair of her missing father. Realizing that her hair might be giving her strange powers, Penelope sets off into the woods to look into her father’s disappearance and to learn more about her family history.
S. Z6622pe:E

MG