Book Descriptions
for My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom and Steph Littlebird
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
The Ojibwe narrator of this heartfelt picture book delves into the significance of hair in her community. When the story opens, the girl stands in front of a mirror, her smooth black hair cropped just below her ears. She is excited to grow it out, something her mom never did because “she was told hers was too wild.” The girl’s Nokomis, too, was denied long hair; her braids were forcibly cut at a boarding school. The text adopts a pattern as the girl marks milestones in her hair growth journey, savors new memories woven into her hair, and recalls traditional beliefs about the importance of hair. She notes the length of her hair during momentous events: the day her grandfather, Nimishoomis, teaches her to fish; the birth of her brother; the time she learns to make moccasins. According to her ancestors, “hair carries energies and power,” brings her “close to Mother Earth,” acts as medicine, and more. By the time Nimishoomis passes away, the girl’s hair is waist-length; she cuts it, sending “it into the spirit world with him[.]” Now it’s time again to grow it long; but this time, her mom will join her. “We’ll do it together.” An illuminating author’s note provides context for a moving story that embraces Native peoples and celebrates Indigenous beliefs. (Ages 5-10)
CCBC Choices 2024. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
From the award-winning and bestselling author of We Are Water Protectors comes an empowering picture book about family history, self-expression, and reclaiming your identity
Our ancestors say our hair is our memories,
our source of strength and power,
a celebration of our lives.
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.
From Carole Lindstrom, author of the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors, and debut illustrator Steph Littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.
Our ancestors say our hair is our memories,
our source of strength and power,
a celebration of our lives.
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.
From Carole Lindstrom, author of the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors, and debut illustrator Steph Littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
