Mira's Curly Hair - Hardcover

Al Serkal, Maryam

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1911373617 ISBN 13: 9781911373612

Publisher: Lantana Publishing, 2019

Synopsis

Mira doesn't like her hair. It curls at the front. It curls at the back. It curls everywhere! She wants it to be straight and smooth, just like her Mama's. But then something unpredictable happens . . . and Mira will never look at her mama's hair the same way again! A delightful celebration of natural hair and the courage it takes to be yourself.

About this title

About the Author:

Maryam Al Serkal is an Emirati writer who is passionate about storytelling. She lives in Dubai with her husband and two children who inspire her stories. This is her first picture book.

Rebeca Luciana is an Argentinian illustrator, now living in Spain. Her books have won the Premi Crítica Serra d'Or prize, the Açorianos prize for Best Book of the Year, and the Premi Junceda.

Review:

"Brown-skinned, curly-haired Mira is delighted to watch her mother transition from straight hair to curly hair in this European import set in the Emirates. Mira doesn't like her curly hair. 'She wanted it to be straight and smooth, just like her Mama's.' She tries hair tools and poses and flattening it out with books, but her hair still curls all over. One day, Mira and her mama get caught outside in the rain. As they wait for the rain to clear, Mira notices something happening to Mam''s hair. 'Up and up! It kept on curling! It wouldn't stop!' Mira thinks her mam''s hair 'looks beautiful and free, curling everywhere!' From then on, both Mira and her mama wear curls every day. In the final, triumphant spread, the curly-haired duo rides a tandem bicycle by the sea. Although it's hard to imagine why Mira has never seen her mama's hair in its natural state before, this simple story does a lovely job weaving in various cultural realities with a universal theme of self-acceptance. The artwork, in acrylics completed digitally, uses bright, nearly fantastical colors and images―a red sky, hair tools that include toy soldiers, brightly patterned birds surrounding Mama's curly hair. Palm trees, Islamic architecture, and traditionally dressed passers-by line the streets. This volume adds depth and beauty to the growing collection of hair-themed picture books for the very young."―Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"For anyone who has ever wished for straighter, curlier, smoother, lighter, or darker hair, Mira's story of discovery, self-acceptance, and love will be a refreshing glimpse of the natural beauty found in everyone's unique features. Bold colors and patterns decorate the backdrop of Mira's hometown of Dubai as she explores with her mother, watching in awe as Mama's enviable, sleep coiffure slowly poofs and frizzes in the humid, rainy weather―just like hers."―starred, Foreword Reviews

(Website)

About this edition

• Publisher: Lantana Publishing
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1911373617
• ISBN 13: 9781911373612
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Luciani Rebeca