Favorite line from the book: “One nap of her hair is the only perfect circle in nature”
A little background on this book for you:
Meant to be an empowering book for children about nappy hair, this book has been the subject of much controversy. You can read about the story here.
Overall, this book had a positive message. The illustrations are lovely and colorful, I love the little girl’s hair and how wild it is. None of the other characters in the book have straight hair. The book is written in a call and response mode, from the perspective of the little girl’s uncle (and the family responds).
I love the descriptions and comparisons of the hair that are made.
There was nothing about this book that I just outright did not like. There were, however, things I just wasn’t sure about. I wasn’t sure about the language the book uses, or rather, the lack of correct English. I understand it was being told from the uncle’s perspective, but I’m big on childrens’ books using proper English. A friend of mine at work found this very offensive.
Though I don’t find it offensive exactly, I can see how it can turn some parents off. I do think it’s important for kids to realize that not all books are going to be reflections of how we, as individuals, should talk and act, but that’s a whole other post (on a different blog, even).
I think the main purpose of the language was to emphasize the Call and Response tone of the book.
From Wikipedia:
Call and response is a form of “spontaneous verbal and non-verbal interaction between speaker and listener in which all of the statements (‘calls’) are punctuated by expressions (‘responses’) from the listener”, as stated by Smitherman.[1]
In African cultures, call and response is a pervasive pattern of democratic participation — in public gatherings, in the discussion of civic affairs, in religious rituals, as well as in vocal and instrumental musical expression (see call and response in music). It is this tradition that African bondsmen and women have transmitted over the years in various forms of expression — in religious observance; public gatherings; even in children’s rhymes; and, most notably, in black music in its multiple forms: gospel, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz and jazz extensions, and hip-hop.[citation needed]
And then there are a few people who are just plain offended by the term “nappy” so right off the bat, they’d hate this book.
Anyway, another thing some people might not like is a part where the uncle launches into a story about how the angels went to God to ask him not to give the little girl nappy hair, asking God why He was being so “mean” , “ornery” and “willful”. That just kind of rubbed me the wrong way, but I didn’t just hate it.
Otherwise, I liked this book and found it refreshing.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great review! I also have this one
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Great review. I believe I might buy this for my 10 year old niece. She doesn’t have a relaxer but has a standing appointment at the beauty shop for a press and curl. One day she asked me that when she comes to visit me could she let her hair fro out. So cute! I think she wants to embrace her curls but her mom won’t let her so this book will encourage her curiosity.
Your review of the “Nappy Hair” children’s book was great. I also have concerns about the language used in that book, and I co-sign your concerns about the uncle’s story about how the angels went to God to ask him not to give the little girl nappy hair. Sigh.
Related to that book and this topic, I’m a afro hair sista and have worn my hair this way, wide or short, since the late 1960s. I also collect children’s playground rhymes because of their historical & folkloric value, and because I like many of them and like seeing (mostly) girls chant & perform them. I read this example on another online forum:
Hey you, over there, with the nappy nappy hair.
My back is achin’ my pants too tight, my bootie shakin’ from the left to right
M’ Gowa, Black Power, yo’ mama needs a shower.
Destroy, little boys, soul sister number nine, sock it to me one more time.
-snip-
I’m assuming that this was posted by a Black woman, but a screen name was used without any demographics. The person posting wrote this comment before sharing the example:
“My husband actually taught my daughter’s a song that he remembered as a child in the late 60s/early 70s.”
I recognize the “Bang bang choo choo train lines” (My back is achin’ my pants too tight, my bootie shakin’ from the left to right) lines and the lines that come after that from other rhymes. But I’ve seen very few Black children’s rhymes that mention “nappy hair”.
I’m wondering if anyone else remembers this rhyme, or knows other rhymes that mention “nappy hair”.
Thanks.