One thing I notice with my husband is he likes to bond with our kids by playing, roughhousing, teaching them a skill or a sport. This experience allowed Zuri to bond with her dad in an entirely new way, and likely instilled a deep pride about the heritage in her hair. With the help of social media, Zuri’s father learns how to comb, part, oil, twist, and style Zuri’s hair.

I love how Zuri’s dad steps up to the plate and figures out what needs to be done to do his daughter’s hair in his wife’s absence. In fact, I think women admire men even more who take the initiative to learn how to do hair. I personally think a father caring for his daughter’s hair isn’t a loss of masculinity. We don’t see this enough, especially in the Black community. First, it showcases a Black father in a positive light bonding with his daughter doing her hair. Armed with an iPad, hair products and her dad, she ends up finding the perfect look. She wants to have the perfect hairstyle to welcome her mother home. Today’s natural haired beauties are embracing their kinks, coils and curls more than ever before to express their style. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her - and her hair - happy. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison. It’s up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from former NFL wide receiver Matthew A.

Publisher: Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers As always, all opinions expressed are my own. Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry