Happy to Be Nappy

Author: Bell Hooks

Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Grade Level: K-2

If you’re in the Montclair neighborhood…

grab a copy at Watchung Booksellers

or visit their site

Check this review out for some perspective

“Awesome Adjectives” follow up activity

Summary

Happy to be Nappy is a sweet, simple story that celebrates 'nappy' hair. The words practically dance upon the page amongst the watercolor pictures of black girls proudly donning their ‘do’s- intricately braided, cut short, piled high up on their heads, and free flowing down their backs. They poise, curious to see each other’s festive hairstyles- eager to indulge in their individuality and rejoice with a community of friends.  With a wisp of a brushstroke, smirks and grins welcome us into the lives of girls beaming with joy and pride. These girls are “happy to be nappy hair!”  

How does this book represent Self-love and Knowledge?

Just check out this title! Each and every girl in the book radiates with self-love as they embrace the individuality of their hairstyles. More than the pride in their new ‘do, these girls celebrate the pride of their gender, culture and community.

Activity

I can’t wait to read this book in my future classroom! This book just beckons readers to playfully rejoice in their individuality and wear it proud.  One potential idea I have is that students will discover a feature of themselves that they want to celebrate. Exploring a variety of media-oil pastels, watercolor, and textures- each individual will create collages to share with the class. To foster a community of learners rejoicing in one another, I will then assign a peer to each student, and they will choose another feature about the peer celebrate in the form of an “ode” poem.