My Hair Is a Book

"Oso's metaphors illustrate how Black hair tells the story of those who wear it; hair announces its wearer's beauty to the world, be it cornrowed, locked, twisted, or curled...A stellar work that belongs in every collection serving young people." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"An outstanding collaboration has created a title that will be shared by all. Filled with extraordinary art, this picture book is a necessary addition to shelves on culture, image-positivity, and SEL, in a wonderful ode to the beauty of Black hair." --School Library Journal (starred review)

Celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of Black hair in this poetic picture book that journeys through time, from stunning debut author Maisha Oso and NAACP Image Award nominee artist London Ladd of Black Gold.

My hair is a book.

Watch me open it,

part it,

take a look.

Black hair has been telling stories for generations, from ponytails of ancient tribes and Nubian vibes to cornrows that mapped paths to freedom for enslaved Africans. There have been stories about dance with styles that twist and swoop and the sweetest stories of Cinna-buns and Afro puffs made perfect in the hottest kitchens. In each of these stories, one notion rings true: Black hair is everything--rich with history, a thesaurus, an atlas, and more, telling of truth, trials, and undeniable beauty.

Maisha Oso's powerful and uplifting text and London Ladd's soul-stirring illustrations capture the remarkable nature of Black hair and remind us that whether it be curly, kinky, coarse, or straight, Black hair is beautiful.

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2024!

Maisha Oso is the author of Buster the Bully and other forthcoming picture books. She writes stories to empower, entertain, and encourage emotional intelligence in young children. A former strategy and analytics professional from New York City, Maisha is currently working in her most challenging role to date: a stay-at-home mom of three tiny humans. When she's not writing, you can find her wrangling her kids, binge watching an unhealthy amount of reality television, or belting out lyrics from the Hamilton soundtrack. After living in Africa for several years, Maisha and her family have recently moved back stateside to Alpharetta, Georgia. Visit her at maishaoso.com.

London Ladd graduated with a BFA and MFA in illustration. He is the illustrator of Lend a Hand, Frederick's Journey, and March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World. He uses a unique mixed-media approach to bring his diverse subjects to life. Each image is steeped in intensity and emotion, a reflection of the artist himself. London lives in Syracuse, New York. Visit him at londonladd.com.