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40 pp.
| Little |
May, 2021 |
TradeISBN 978-0-316-49530-1$17.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Holly Hatam.
In this playful and affectionate story, a Sikh father lovingly cares for his daughter's long, wavy hair every morning, combing, detangling, and styling her strands into braids and buns. When Papa fixes the girl's hair into a tight bun at the top of her head, it reminds her of his own joora, and she proclaims that they are hair twins. The two joyfully tap their matching buns together while proclaiming, "hair cheers!" A six-image sequence shows Papa putting his long hair into a joora, then a patka (cloth covering), and finally a turban. The girl eagerly assists him, always ready with a rubber band or even a toothbrush for beard brushing. Cheerful digital illustrations capture the realistic details of hair care combined with the more whimsical or metaphorical, as the girl's hair is shown as an ocean or a harp. An appended note explains that the book is based on the author's husband and child. A loving portrayal of a father-daughter bond that is strengthened over daily hair care, something that honors the characters' religion while nurturing their relationship.
Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2021