My Hair is a Garden

March 15, 2018
A little girl learns to love and care for her hair.Mack, young and black, does not love her hair. As a result of teasing, she tries to hide it. But Mack does love her neighbor Miss Tillie. Miss Tillie's house has been a safe space since Mack was a toddler. So, naturally, Mack seeks refuge in Miss Tillie after being bullied by a classmate who states as fact that "Mack's hair is always a mess." West Indian Miss Tillie gives Mack a glass of sorrel and listens as Mack tells her about the long-term mockery she's endured about her hair. Though dark-skinned Mack's mother also appears to be black, she doesn't know how to care for her daughter's hair, and Mack asks Miss Tillie for help. Miss Tillie teaches Mack that her hair is like a garden: "And like every good garden, it must be cared for, every day." The folk art-style illustrations lend this story an anytime, anyplace quality that leaves readers free to focus on the content. Although the text placement and type may occasionally distract, the illustrations evoke emotion, and endpapers showing different hairstyles on black girls of varying hues are especially well-done.How needed, how refreshing to see a black girl learn to appreciate herself--lovely and informative. (caring for black hair, recipes) (Picture book. 5-9)

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July 1, 2018
MacKenzie, teased yet again for her always a mess hair, turns to neighbor Miss Tillie for help. (Her mother--?presumably the woman with lighter skin and hair shown in one illustration--has tried to fix [MacKenzie's hair] but?doesn't know what to do with it. ) Over a steaming cup of sorrel and later a walk through her garden, Miss Tillie teaches MacKenzie to care--literally and emotionally--for her hair. Cabrera's acrylic illustrations exude a softness well suited to the story's gently positive message. While many skin tones are represented in the book, MacKenzie and Miss Tillie share a rich dark color, so much so that the difference between their skin and ebony hair is almost imperceptible. Contrasted with bright spring tones of blues, greens, and reds in the patterns and backgrounds, the girl and her mentor stand out brilliantly. The (somewhat text-heavy) story strikes an effective balance between encouraging self-confidence and explaining step-by-step self-improvement; even as Miss Tillie teaches MacKenzie the importance of washing and combing her hair, the older woman reminds the girl that her hair is a garden, and she needs to feed it with love. Appended with a brief overview of Caring for Black Hair, including sealing in moisture, detangling, and protective styling; and with recipes for an herbal infusion rinse and moisturizing shea butter. eboni njoku

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2018
MacKenzie, teased for her "always a mess" hair, turns to neighbor Miss Tillie for help. The story strikes an effective balance between Miss Tillie encouraging self-confidence and explaining step-by-step self-improvement to MacKenzie. While many skin tones are represented in the soft acrylic illustrations, MacKenzie and Miss Tillie share a deep ebony color, contrasted with bright blues, greens, and reds in the patterns and backgrounds.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)