Wanda

by Sihle Nontshokweni, Mathabo Tlali, Chantelle Thorne (Illustrator)

Meet Wanda with her beautiful head of hair. She is brave and strong, but she’s unhappy because of the endless teasing by the boys at school. After a particularly hard day at school, feeling confused, forlorn and hopeless, Wanda’s grandmother lets her in on a few secrets. Through these hair secrets and stories, she finds the courage to face her fears and realise that her hair is a crown and something to be proud of.
This book stands at the intersection of identity and beauty, celebrating
how cultural pride is learned and passed on over the generations. This
book encourages young children to love themselves for what they are
born with, despite what society may say or think.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Africa, African American, South Africa, School

32 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of great picture books about hair. But this one holds its own and sets itself apart beautifully. While it is distressing to see a young child have to change themselves due to a teacher's discriminatory actions, there are no other picture books I can think about that address this matter head on. Beautifully told.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This offers a colorful and lively insight into the many ways in which larger society can diminish the positivity instilled by family- in this case related to natural hair, but it can extend to any situation in which daily encounters with bullying, rudeness, belittling will undermine self-worth.
The langage incorporates some names and terms from South Africa, adding layers of potential exploration between personal experiences and cultures with others from various geographic areas.
Pair with CROWN, HAIR LOVE, and others.

[Yulisa Ramirez Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanda is a beautiful story about loving one’s features and bringing ourselves up by those features, in the context of this story, Wanda and her big hair! Although her classmates and horrible teacher, insult Wanda’s hair, she pushes through and remembers that her hair is her crown and is something to be very proud of. Wanda’s grandmother reminds her that she is beautiful like other women with her hairstyle and gives her a makeover worthy of a queen! A sweet story of diversity and acceptance of oneself that every girl deserves to read and be inspired by!

[Marissa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a moving story. It reminded me of "Your name is a song" by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow in that it focuses on a child who becomes embraced about an aspect of themselves in a world that can be ignorant to people of color. We see her become very distraught and was to change her hair to be like that of the other girls, the girls not like her. However, we see that she is shown that her hair is a "crown"and that it is a thing to embrace about herself. This book can make so many girls of color feel seen which is such an amazing thing.

[Erinn Loney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very impactful one, it is about a girl who gets teased for her hair and it being "too big". It shows the impacts of her getting teased about her hair and that she is embarrassed of her hair. After that she comes to realize he hair is beautiful and she learns about her family and how to care for her hair.

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the story of empowerment, and appreciated that it is implied that it took place in South Africa. I hated how the teacher was allowed to continue making children ashamed of their natural hair. But I guess that is a reality that can't be escaped.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A black girls struggle to love and understand her hair and the cultural pride that comes with her beauty. Learning to love who you are, how you look, and where you come from despite others' opinions.

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanda is running late, almost misses the school bus, the boys on the bus tease her about her hair.

Her mother always tells her "you are a queen and this is your crown." She repeats this to the others on the bus who make fun of her hair.

Poignant, yet beautiful.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a simple story about a Black girl struggling with self-acceptance but it is also very observant of children's feelings and thoughts around their feelings in a way that makes the story universal and easily accessible as such.

[Elizabeth]

I love the bright colors and illustrations.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanda learns to love her crown of hair.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of identity and beauty passed down from generation to generation.

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful story about community, family, & hair. It highlights the impacts of constant teasing & how family can overcome.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated picture book is a focused on self-confidence, beauty, and cultural identity. The book was originally published in South Africa and both authors live in South Africa.

[Y.Poston]

cute exploration of hair

[Ms Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the idea, but think the writing could’ve been stronger. It was a tad awkward as a read aloud.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lot deeper than the typical hair book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish my hair had more personality like Wanda's hair.

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book about a girl who is teased for her hair, even though her mother says its her crown. I like the proverb used in this story and how much love is given to Wanda.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet picture book about hair. In the end she changes her hair style, keeping the part that makes her a queen.