Hello, friends! Today, we’re going to enjoy a wonderful story about loving our hair. The story is called “I Love My Hair!” and it’s written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley with beautiful pictures by E.B. Lewis. Our special reader today is Tiffany Haddish, and she’s going to take us on a fun adventure with Keyana and her amazing hair!
Every night, Keyana’s mom helps her get ready for bed by combing her hair. Keyana sits comfortably with her mom, feeling safe and cozy. Her mom uses coconut oil to make Keyana’s hair shiny and smooth. Sometimes, combing can be a little tricky, especially when there are tangles, and it might hurt a bit. But Keyana is brave and tries not to cry, even though a few tears might sneak out.
When it gets too tough, Keyana asks her mom to stop. Her mom gently puts the comb down and comforts her. Then, she leans in close, like she’s about to share a special secret. She tells Keyana how lucky she is to have such beautiful hair that can be styled in so many ways!
Keyana’s mom tells her that she can make her hair into a soft, puffy bun, just like her grandmothers used to do. Keyana imagines if she had a spinning wheel, she could even make a sweater to keep warm in winter! Isn’t that a fun idea?
This story teaches us that our hair is special and beautiful, just like us! We can wear it in different styles and have fun with it. It’s important to love and take care of our hair, just like Keyana does.
Remember, everyone has unique hair, and that’s what makes us all special. Let’s celebrate our hair and the wonderful stories it can tell. Thank you for joining us for this special story time. We hope you enjoyed learning about Keyana and her amazing hair!
Hair Style Exploration: Gather some dolls or action figures with different types of hair. Encourage the children to style the hair in various ways, just like Keyana’s mom does. They can try making buns, braids, or ponytails. Ask them to think about how each style might feel and why Keyana might enjoy having her hair styled in different ways.
Nature’s Hair: Take the children on a short nature walk or explore the school garden. Ask them to observe and collect different natural items like leaves, flowers, or grass. Once back in the classroom, discuss how these items are similar to hair (e.g., texture, color, shape). Encourage them to create a collage using these items to represent different hairstyles or textures, celebrating the diversity in nature and in people.
Story Sharing Circle: Invite the children to sit in a circle and share a story about a time they felt proud of their hair or a hairstyle they love. Encourage them to describe how it made them feel and why it was special. This activity helps children appreciate their own uniqueness and learn from each other’s experiences, just like Keyana learns to love her hair.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[theme music playing] Hi, it’s me, Marley Dias. Welcome to Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. “I Love My Hair!” is a celebration of Black girl beauty and the power of natural hair. The book is written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and illustrated by E.B. Lewis. “I Love My Hair!” is going to be read to us by Tiffany Haddish.
Hi, I’m Tiffany Haddish, and today I’m reading “I Love My Hair!”
“Every night before I go to bed, Mama combs my hair. I sit between her knees, resting my elbows on her thighs, like pillows. Mama is always gentle. She rubs coconut oil along my scalp and slowly pulls a comb through my hair, but sometimes it still hurts. When Mama gets to especially tangled places, I try my hardest not to cry, sucking in my breath and pressing my hands together until they’re red. But a few tears always manage to squeeze out. ‘Mama, stop!’ I cry when I can’t stand the comb tugging at my hair any longer.
Mama puts the comb down and rubs my hurting places, then she leans in close to me, like she has a big secret to tell. ‘Do you know why you’re so lucky to have this head of hair, Keyana?’ she asks. I shake my head no. ‘Because it’s beautiful and you can wear it in any style you choose. I can spin your hair into fine, soft yarn, just like our grandmothers did at their spinning wheels, and weave it into a puffy little bun.’
‘Ooh-whee! A puffy little bun? If I had a spinning wheel, I probably would weave it into a sweater, just to stay warm for the winter.’
‘Or I can put your hair into
