Publishers Weekly
09/26/2022
A child’s abundant hair becomes the means through which she expresses care for a playmate in this well-meaning tale. “Born with more hair than anyone had ever seen on a baby,” Suri, a bespectacled Black child, delights in the many hairstyles she sports. When Suri compliments Amaya, a child portrayed with light brown skin, on her purple headscarf, the two become fast friends on the playground, but Amaya runs off after the scarf slips off during a cartwheel, revealing that she doesn’t have hair. Suri searches to no avail until she spots a sign at a salon (“We make wigs from donated hair”) and learns that Amaya has been awaiting a wig. It’s not long before Suri has had her hair “washed, cut, measured, wrapped, and mailed,” and the resultant headpiece provides a happy ending for both Amaya and the children’s friendship. Though the limited portrayal focuses squarely on Suri’s feelings about Amaya’s situation, emotive watercolors portray the scenario in delicately wrought, fine-lined detail. A note, “Why We Share Our Hair,” concludes. Ages 3–7. (Aug.)
Kirkus Reviews
2022-05-11
A friendship is strengthened when one girl shares her hair with another.
For Suri, a bespectacled, brown-skinned girl with cascading curls, hair has been a significant part of her identity. At the park, she befriends Amaya, a brown-skinned girl wearing a headscarf. While doing cartwheels one day, Amaya’s headscarf falls off, revealing that she doesn’t have any hair. Before Suri can return the scarf, Amaya runs away. Suri’s mother explains that hair loss can happen for many reasons and assures Suri that a person can still be beautiful inside and out without hair. But instead of affirming Amaya’s beauty, Suri and her mother visit a salon that makes wigs from donated hair; Amaya is on a waiting list for a wig, so Suri has her hair cut and made into a wig, which she mails to Amaya. Readers don’t learn much more about Amaya other than that she’s happy to have received the wig and returns to the park wearing it, “feeling a boost of confidence, knowing her new best friend had chosen to share her glorious, awesome hair with her.” Suri’s experience is centered; Amaya feels like a prop to allow Suri to be the hero. Though the message about the importance of hair donation is a good one and the graceful watercolors are charming, there are better ways to raise awareness. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An attempt at empowerment that misses the mark. (information on hair loss and hair donation; list of hair donation nonprofits) (Picture book. 3-7)
