Crowning Glory

by Joyce Carol Thomas, Brenda Joysmith (Illustrator)

With these joyous poems, Nationa Book Award and American Book Award winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Thomas' lyrical language shares what is special about hair that is dreadlocked, braided, adorned, or worn free.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 28, 2002

About the author

Joyce Carol Thomas was an internationally renowned author who received the National Book Award for her first novel, Marked By Fire, and a Coretta Scott King Honor for her first picture book, Brown Honey In Broomwheat Tea. Her other titles include I Have Heard Of A Land, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; The Gospel Cinderella; cCrowning Glory; Gingerbread Days; and A Gathering Of Flowers. Ms. Thomas lived in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Becky Birtha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Combs, curling irons, hair nets, scarves, hats, wigs-- all the significant accoutrements are here in Joyce Carol Thomas's poems about what my daughter and I call "African hair", as are the significant places: from the kitchen to Grandma's Sunday dinner, and from the beauty shop to the swimming pool. I've always loved Brenda Joysmith's paintings, which portray such love for children who look like the kids who grew up in my family, went to my school, and played on my block. It's an evocative collection that I know today's African American girls will still relate to.

[Kimbria Thomas]

This book's genre is considered juvenile poetry consists of many poems that praises the hair of black women or girls. The poems discuss the many types of hairstyles we as black women possess. If you're an African American woman I'm sure that you can relate to every poem, from getting your hair pressed before event to watching and helping your grandmother put on her wig. I chose this book because it is very realistic to our culture and the way we express ourselves through different hairstyles.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/7/2019 ~ At nearly 2 decades old, the illustrations and sentiments of this book hold up. A celebration of the care and styling of Black hair.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowning Glory is a beautiful and rhythmic journey through the evolution of female hair in the African-American community. The book left me with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. The cute poems had me reflecting on childhood memories and conversations with the older women in my life. I think this is an excellent book for young children. This was so good that I read it twice

[Children's Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely book, perfect gift for any black girl.

The illustrations are perfect.

[Ivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Beautiful Tribute to Black Hair ❤️

[Nativida · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What is good hair?"
I ask my daddy
And Mama answers, "Why it's understood
Sister, if it's on your head it's good!"