by Jaylene Clark Owens
Illustrated by Brittney Bond
Penguin Workshop
An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
2026
32 pages
ISBN: 9780593889732
Based on a viral poem, Jaylene Clark Owens celebrates braids and their importance, in her words, "...of my culture, my nwighborhood, of my family background..." Braids not only protect the hair, they are considered a crown. Sadly, some schools do not allow students to wear braids or afros. The author mentions the CROWN Act which stands for Creating and Respecting an Open World for Natural Hair, an act that passed in the House but failed in the Senate. It will ban race-based hair discrimination in workplaces and schools allowing afros, braids, locs and twists.
A young black girl revels in her braids--they are her identity and give her strength and power. With braids, her hair is always protected and easy to care for. The book says it best,"Rooted in Africa, it's a style that never fades. Ain't nothin' in this world like a black girl and her braids!"
Illustrations celebrate the close mother/daughter relationship as mother cares for her daughter's hair and insures frequent trips to the shop to have her daughter's hair braided by professionals. Cover art is welcoming and appealing and sure to attract readers.
Highly recommended grades 1-up.
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