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Hair Love

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
9.94"W x 10.31"H x 0.34"D   | 15 oz | 24 per carton
On sale May 14, 2019 | 32 Pages | 9780525553366
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD480L | Fountas & Pinnell J

A New York Times Bestseller and tie-in to Academy-Award Winning Short Film "Hair Love"
 
"I love that Hair Love is highlighting the relationship between a Black father and daughter. Matthew leads the ranks of new creatives who are telling unique stories of the Black experience. We need this."
     - Jordan Peele, Actor & Filmmaker

It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.


Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy.

Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. A perfect gift for special occasions including Father’s Day, birthdays, baby showers, and more!
PRAISE FOR HAIR LOVE

A New York Times Bestseller
As seen on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project - Top Ten List
Georgia Children's Book Award Winner 2021
NAACP Image Award
2020 Irma Black Award Honor Book
The Amelia Bloomer Book List
Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Summer 2019 Kids’ Indie Next List
California Reads 2020-2021 Recommendation (California)
Bridge to Reading 2021 Nominee (Iowa)
MISelf in Books 2020 Book List (Michigan)
2019 Goodreads Choice Award: Nominated for Best Picture Book
2025 theSkimm Good For You Awards (Best Book for Self-Love winner)
2025 Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Books Award

"Hair Love celebrates the kinks, curls, and fathers who never give up on hairstyles…even when the going gets tough.” —Shondaland.com

“[A]n important moment for representation and encouraging positive paternal moments.” – Refinery29

Hair Love is a dedication to black and brown boys and girls everywhere to learn to love their natural hair.” – Blavity

“We’re always here for a father and daughter beauty adventure…” – Essence.com

“Seeing such a positive representation of black men and their daughters is such a breath of fresh air…The world definitely needs more of this.” – TeenVogue.com

"A wonderful slice-of-life tale about family support, black hair, and embracing individuality." --School Library Journal, starred review

“This delightful debut encourages self-affirmation and celebrates a loving, respectful relationship between a nurturing father and his cool, confident daughter.” – Shelf Awareness, starred review

"This authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation." --Kirkus Reviews

"Unforgettable." --Booklist

"A bighearted ode to individuality and father-daughter collaboration." --Publishers Weekly


Matthew A Cherry is an Academy Award winner for the animated short Hair Love and author of the New York Times bestselling children's book of the same name. He created the animated series Young Love and directs television series, feature films and music videos. A Chicago native, he began his career as an NFL wide receiver before transitioning into entertainment.

Reggie Brown also illustrated the New York Times bestselling picture book Who Are Your People? (by Bakari Sellers), as well as Bros (by Carole Boston Weatherford), Tacko Fall: To New Heights (by Tacko Fall and Justin Haynes), Santa in the City (by Tiffany D. Jackson), and the chapter book series The Magnificent Makers (by Theanne Griffith). The recipient of the California Arts Council's 2023 Established Artist Award, Reggie is passionate about bringing stories of Black children and families to life, one picture at a time. When he's not busy in his studio, you can find him indulging in his love for fantasy, superheroes, and science fiction. View titles by Matthew A. Cherry

Meet author Matthew Cherry & illustrator Vashti Harrison

Hair Love - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime<br/>

About

A New York Times Bestseller and tie-in to Academy-Award Winning Short Film "Hair Love"
 
"I love that Hair Love is highlighting the relationship between a Black father and daughter. Matthew leads the ranks of new creatives who are telling unique stories of the Black experience. We need this."
     - Jordan Peele, Actor & Filmmaker

It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.


Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy.

Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. A perfect gift for special occasions including Father’s Day, birthdays, baby showers, and more!

Praise

PRAISE FOR HAIR LOVE

A New York Times Bestseller
As seen on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project - Top Ten List
Georgia Children's Book Award Winner 2021
NAACP Image Award
2020 Irma Black Award Honor Book
The Amelia Bloomer Book List
Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Summer 2019 Kids’ Indie Next List
California Reads 2020-2021 Recommendation (California)
Bridge to Reading 2021 Nominee (Iowa)
MISelf in Books 2020 Book List (Michigan)
2019 Goodreads Choice Award: Nominated for Best Picture Book
2025 theSkimm Good For You Awards (Best Book for Self-Love winner)
2025 Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Books Award

"Hair Love celebrates the kinks, curls, and fathers who never give up on hairstyles…even when the going gets tough.” —Shondaland.com

“[A]n important moment for representation and encouraging positive paternal moments.” – Refinery29

Hair Love is a dedication to black and brown boys and girls everywhere to learn to love their natural hair.” – Blavity

“We’re always here for a father and daughter beauty adventure…” – Essence.com

“Seeing such a positive representation of black men and their daughters is such a breath of fresh air…The world definitely needs more of this.” – TeenVogue.com

"A wonderful slice-of-life tale about family support, black hair, and embracing individuality." --School Library Journal, starred review

“This delightful debut encourages self-affirmation and celebrates a loving, respectful relationship between a nurturing father and his cool, confident daughter.” – Shelf Awareness, starred review

"This authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation." --Kirkus Reviews

"Unforgettable." --Booklist

"A bighearted ode to individuality and father-daughter collaboration." --Publishers Weekly


Author

Matthew A Cherry is an Academy Award winner for the animated short Hair Love and author of the New York Times bestselling children's book of the same name. He created the animated series Young Love and directs television series, feature films and music videos. A Chicago native, he began his career as an NFL wide receiver before transitioning into entertainment.

Reggie Brown also illustrated the New York Times bestselling picture book Who Are Your People? (by Bakari Sellers), as well as Bros (by Carole Boston Weatherford), Tacko Fall: To New Heights (by Tacko Fall and Justin Haynes), Santa in the City (by Tiffany D. Jackson), and the chapter book series The Magnificent Makers (by Theanne Griffith). The recipient of the California Arts Council's 2023 Established Artist Award, Reggie is passionate about bringing stories of Black children and families to life, one picture at a time. When he's not busy in his studio, you can find him indulging in his love for fantasy, superheroes, and science fiction. View titles by Matthew A. Cherry

Media

Meet author Matthew Cherry & illustrator Vashti Harrison

Hair Love - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime<br/>

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