Hair is culture. It’s history. It’s identity. It’s memories of sitting between your mama’s or grandmama’s knees while fingers worked through tangles. It’s memories of Saturday mornings at the barbershop, bonnets tied before bed, braids, curls, locs, or twists carrying pride from one generation to the next. For children (especially Black children), seeing their hair celebrated in books is powerful. It tells them: you are seen, you are beautiful, you are enough.
That’s why I’m so excited to share these affirming picture books about different types of hair. Each one a love letter to hair in its many forms. Whether you’re raising a little one with curls that won’t quit, kids and parents who bond over styling routines, or a child just learning that their crown is something to celebrate, these books belong on your bookshelves.
Among these recommendations, you’ll find a playful alphabet journey that celebrates natural hair with affirmations from A to Z. There’s also a touching story about a Sikh father and daughter bonding over their hair rituals. The picture book Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop is a joyful glimpse into community, culture, and connections found at the neighborhood barbershop.
Why These Stories Matter
When kids read books that reflect their own hair journeys, it validates their experiences. It makes wash day struggles feel normal, celebrates the creativity of styling, and honors the cultural traditions tied to braids, bonnets, and barber chairs. And for kids who may not share these same experiences, these stories plant seeds of empathy and appreciation. They help build classrooms and homes where difference is celebrated, not questioned.
So the next time you’re building your child’s library or looking for your next story time pick, try adding one (or all!) of these hair-centered gems to your shelf. Because every curl, every strand, every crown deserves to shine.
What are some additional books about hair you would add to this list? Happy Reading!
Hair Love ABC's
A is for Afro, N is for Natural, and W is for Waves. Letter by letter, follow Zuri and her father in their joy-filled journey through the kinks and curls of Black hair.
Hair Love
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.
Read my book review of Hair Love: https://hereweeread.com/2019/05/hair-love-by-matthew-a-cherry-book-review-natural-hair-tips-techniques.html
My Powerful Hair
Mom never had long hair--she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn't have long hair--hers was taken from her. But one young girl can't wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.
Freedom Braids
Day after day, Nemy sows seeds, pulls weeds, and strips leaves in the sugarcane plantation where she is enslaved. But one night, she follows a woman called Big Mother to a hidden shack. There, she finds a group of women braiding each other's hair. But these are no ordinary braids. Hidden in each elaborate pattern is a secret--a message signaling their intent to flee and a map to guide them in their escape. Will the paths these courageous women weave bring Nemy to a new home where she can be free?
Don't Touch My Hair!
It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she's chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens . . . until, finally, Aria has had enough!
Hair, It's a Family Affair
A celebration of natural hair, through the vibrant and varied hairstyles found in a single family. With Mylo Freeman's trademark colourful illustrations, this delightful book will show young black children the joys that can be found through their natural hair.
Hair Twins
Every morning Papa combs through his daughter's waves like he does his own—parting it down the middle, using coconut oil to get all the tangles out.
Some days he braids her hair in two twists down the side of her face. Other days he weaves it into one long braid hanging down her back, just like a unicorn tail.
But her favorite style is when he combs her hair in a tight bun on the top of her head, just like the joora he wears every day under his turban. They call this their hair twin look!
Saturday Morning at the 'Shop
It’s Saturday morning. We hop in the car. Mom’s heading to work, and I’m geeked to go spend the day at the ’shop!
The barbershop is a sound booth, an art gallery, a playground, a classroom, and so much more. It’s a place for artistry and comradery and, most importantly, community. Come spend the day feeling all the style and wisdom and joy at the ’shop!
When Mama Braids My Hair
When Mama Braids My Hair captures a young girl's experience of having her hair braided and the bond it creates with her mother. The tradition of African hair braiding is more than just a Sunday routine. Come join Nikki on an adventure as she is transformed into an Egyptian queen, a Nigerian goddess, a Zulu warrior, and a Maasai girl.
While young girls throughout the African Diaspora can relate to getting their hair braided in intricate styles, it is also an ancient ritual that is a large part of their history.
Wash Day Love
t’s wash day―Tasha’s least favorite day of the week!
Wash day means stinging eyes, aching back, and water everywhere, even in Tasha’s ears!
But with big sis comforting her, Mama humming to the music, and Granny telling stories of wash days past, the weekly ritual soon becomes more than a weekend chore―it’s a special bonding time for three generations of beautiful Black women.
Bear's Braid
Bear and his friend Ben feel like they are living two lives: one, where native traditions―like long hair―are a crucial part of their identities, and the other, where indigenous expressions are mocked and treated with ignorance. When the boys encounter bullying because of the braids they wear, these two worlds collide.
Seeking guidance from his beloved grandma, Bear confides his doubts and questions himself and his heritage. Bear’s grandma knows about the strength it takes to overcome hardships, and with her help, Bear and Ben develop a plan to strengthen their connection to their roots while also bridging the gap between their schoolmates and their families.
The Good Hair Day
Noah has a special day coming up, and he has a very long wish list. But there's one thing missing from it, the thing he wants more than anything else in the world: long, beautiful, wavy hair. Noah understands that his hair will grow if he just doesn't get a haircut. But almost all the boys that Noah knows have short hair, and he's heard people say mean things about men with long hair. So, he just doesn't think he's allowed to ask.
When a fresh trim brings Noah to his lowest point, it turns out his caring family has been paying closer attention than he thinks--and they have an idea that will show Noah it's okay to be his gorgeous self.
Wondeful Hair: The Beauty of Annie Malone
Forgotten today, Annie Turnbo Malone was an influential Black business leader in the early 20th century.
She turned her personally developed hair care products into a successful industry, including schools that taught the Poro method in her Poro Colleges. One of her students was the much more famous Madame C.J. Walker. She not only encouraged Black women to feel good about their hair, she showed them how to be entrepreneurs.
Annie Turnbo Malone is an inspiring model and an important part of women’s history and Black history who deserves to be better known.
Wonderful Hair is a Eureka Silver Medal winner.
My Fade is Fresh
When a little girl walks into her local barbershop, she knows she wants the flyest, freshest fade on the block! But there are so many beautiful hairstyles to choose from, and the clients and her mother suggest them all: parts, perms, frizzy fros, dye jobs, locs, and even cornrows!
But this little girl stays true to herself and makes sure she leaves the shop feeling on top with the look she picks!
Bedtime Bonnet
This joyous and loving celebration of family is the first-ever picture book to highlight Black nighttime hair traditions--and is perfect for every little girl who knows what it's like to lose her bonnet just before bedtime.
In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!
My brother slips a durag over his locs.
Sis swirls her hair in a wrap around her head.
Daddy covers his black waves with a cap.
Mama gathers her corkscrew curls in a scarf.
I always wear a bonnet over my braids, but tonight I can't find it anywhere!
Bedtime Bonnet gives readers a heartwarming peek into quintessential Black nighttime hair traditions and celebrates the love between all the members of this close-knit, multi-generational family.
Magic Like That
In this celebration of Black Girl Magic, a young girl finds confidence and excitement in the versatility of her natural hair and the way her different hairstyles reflect the natural world.
Natural hair is magical, but magic isn't easy. As a young Black girl patiently waits for her mother to finish her newest hairstyle, she wonders what stunning, majestic, awe-inspiring form her hair will take next!
Cool Cuts
Boys will love seeing strong, happy reflections of themselves in this vibrant, rhythmic book full of hip Black hairstyles. From a 'fro-hawk to mini-twists and crisp cornrows, adorable illustrations of boys with cool curls, waves, and afros grace each page, accompanied by a positive message that will make kids cheer. It's a great read-aloud to promote positive self-esteem to boys of all ages, building and growing the foundation of self-love (and hair love!) and letting every boy know that "You are born to be awesome!"
Happy Hair
Girls will love seeing strong, happy reflections of themselves in this vibrant, rhythmic book full of beautiful Black hairstyles. From a cute crop to pom-pom puffs, adorable illustrations of girls with gorgeous braids, blowouts, and bantus grace each page, side by side with a positive message that will make girls cheer. It's a great read-aloud to promote self-esteem for girls of all ages, building and growing the foundation of self-love (and hair love!) and letting every girl know "You are made beautiful!"
Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Black Hair
Cornrows forming complex patterns. Shells and beads on boxy braids. A flowery ’fro that’s wash and go. A regal pouf that scrapes the sky. Black hair styles embody beauty and loving ritual, culture and community, expression and strength, patience and boundless creativity. Carole Boston Weatherford and Ekua Holmes bring this array of gorgeous hair designs—and the individuals who wear them—to bold and powerful life. Readers curious to know more can find an author’s note about the five Black women who made history in 2019 as title holders of five major beauty pageants, as well as a glossary describing some twenty hair styles (from Afro to updo) and other terms related to the glory of Black hair.
Hair Oil Magic
Meenu loves Magic Hair Days, when Mommy mixes sweet-smelling oils together and massages the potion into Meenu's scalp and hair. It always leaves Meenu with a fuzzy, magical feeling. And after bath time, when Mom washes the oils out, Meenu's hair is soft and shining. When Meenu decides one day to mix the oils without any help, she discovers something's wrong: No matter how many oils she mixes, the magic just isn't there! What is she missing? But when Mommy comes to help, massaging Meenu's head, the fuzzy, magical feeling returns! Was it really in the oils, or something else? Inspired by Anu Chouhan's own memories and family, this author-illustrator debut is a lovely depiction of a cultural tradition and a delightful story that emphasizes that magical bond between parents and children.
Hair to Share
A fresh take on celebrating the beauty of natural textured hair, HAIR TO SHARE tackles the difficulty of childhood medical hair loss and the impact empathy and generosity can have on one's self-esteem.
Suri was born with more hair than anyone had ever seen on a baby. As she grew, so did her hair until it eventually reached all the way down to her knees! But when she makes a new friend a girl who has no hair, Suri wants to find a way to help her feel comfortable and confident.
Complete with backmatter addressing the many causes of medical hairloss, how to support kids managing hair loss, and how to donate or receive natural hair wigs, this sweet story is the embodiment of generosity and self love.
Only a Trenza Away
In one story, her trenza becomes a sturdy twisted vine that she uses to bravely swing through the jungle. In another, her trenzas are jump ropes as she catches the beat to play double Dutch with the best players in the neighborhood.
But Xia worries what she would do if Papa was not there to help her in a real adventure―like starting a new school. Could the strength Xia needs already be woven into her braids?
My Hair is Like Yours
From the creator behind My Beautiful Black Hair and My Hair Is Like the Sun, this playful rhyming board book celebrates the joy of seeing yourself in the ones you love and embracing your unique self.
Cornrows, curls, fros, and swirls! How do you wear your hair? Featuring photographs of real kids whose hairstyles match those of family and friends, little ones will love seeing themselves mirrored in these pages and in the world around them.
Under My Hijab
Grandma's hijab clasps under her chin. Auntie pins hers up with a whimsical brooch. Jenna puts a sun hat over hers when she hikes. Iman wears a sports hijab for tae kwon do. As a young girl observes the women in her life and how each covers her hair a different way, she dreams of the possibilities in her own future and how she might express her personality through her hijab.
Laxmi's Mooch
A joyful, body-positive picture book about a young Indian American girl's journey to accept her body hair and celebrate her heritage after being teased about her mustache (lip hair).
Laxmi never paid much attention to the tiny hairs above her lip. But one day while playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. She starts to notice body hair all over--on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows.
With her parents' help, Laxmi learns that hair isn't just for heads, but that it grows everywhere, regardless of gender.
My Rainbow
Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization:Trinity wants long hair like her dolls. She needs it to express who she truly is.
So her family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs is the perfect fit. Determined, Mom leaves with bundles of hair in hand, ready to craft a wig as colorful and vibrant as her daughter is.
