Magic like that / by Samara Cole Doyon ; illustrated by Geneva Bowers.

Title :

Magic like that

Author:

Format:

Books

Summary:

While her mother works magic styling her hair, a young Black girl recalls how her hairstyles can reflect the natural world and show that her hair can be elegant, mischievous, or whimsical.

Language:

English

Audience:

Ages 5-8. Lee & Low Books Inc.

ISBN - ISSN:

9781643790701

1643790706

Physical Description:

32 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 27 cm

First Title value, for Searching:

Magic like that / by Samara Cole Doyon ; illustrated by Geneva Bowers.

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Library	Audience	Home Location	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Kashmere Gardens	Kid/Juvenile	Picture books	Kids book	E DOYON	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Oak Forest	Kid/Juvenile	Picture books	Kids book	E DOYON	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Robinson-Westchase	Kid/Juvenile	Picture books	Kids book	E DOYON	Searching... Unknown

Summary

In this celebration of Black Girl Magic, a young girl finds confidence and excitement in the versatility of her natural hair and the way her different hairstyles reflect the natural world.

Natural hair is magical, but magic isn't easy. As a young Black girl patiently waits for her mother to finish her newest hairstyle, she wonders what stunning, majestic, awe-inspiring form her hair will take next!

With radiant illustrations by Geneva Bowers and beautiful, poetic text written by Samara Cole Doyon, Magic Like That will inspire young readers of all textures to believe in the beauty of their natural selves.

Author Notes

Samara Cole Doyon is a second-generation Haitian American living in the state of Maine--a region of unceded Wabanaki / Abenaki territory where half the roots of her family tree reside. Her picture-book debut, Magnificent Homespun Brown , received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews , Publishers Weekly , and School Library Journal . You can visit her online at samaracoledoyon.com.

Geneva Bowers illustrated the children's books The Dragon Thief , Beyoncé: Shine Your Light , and Curls , among others. She won the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist and a 2018 British Science Fiction Association Award nomination. A self-taught illustrator based in western North Carolina, Geneva loves manipulating color and adding whimsy with a touch of realism and calm. Visit her online at Genevab.com.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Framed by a bespectacled Black mother doing her dark-skinned child's hair, this affirming series of lyrical vignettes draws immersive parallels between a Black child's varying hairstyles and myriad elements from nature: on each spread, her hair is variously compared to "regal pine trees," "a million ocean currents," "a bouquet of hydrangea blossoms," and more. Doyon's deservedly confident narrator employs a wealth of sensory and figurative language to describe her changing hairdos: "Piled high, it gathers together/ like billowing thunderclouds/ threatening to break loose in a sudden storm,/ releasing a cascade of relief and revival./ My hair is fresh like that." A satisfying final-act turn reveals how the child can be anything, the hairstyles representing a queen, an explorer, a warrior. Bowers augments the text with vibrant digital spreads, centering close-ups of the smiling figure amid bright, expansive landscapes. Readers will revel in this glorious celebration of Black hair. Ages 5--8. (Sept.)

Booklist Review

This picture book celebrates the beauty and strength of Black hair, presenting it as a symbol of empowerment for young people. Doyon's poetic prose showcases the realities of having textured hair, the work that goes into styling and caring for it, and the payoff as its "majestic," "mischievous," and "stunning" nature reveals its versatility and natural beauty. In partnership with the gorgeous digital artwork from Bowers, each double-page spread sees the protagonist enjoying her hair in a new location and situation, further supporting the statement that Black hair is an asset to everyday life. With its poetic message and gentle, inviting illustrations, this book reminds readers that Black hair is an individual experience that should be cherished and appreciated, that no one's hair is the same. The joy of different colors, textures, and styles shines through here and is sure to inspire confidence and creativity in young readers becoming acquainted with their hair and self-expression.

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Author Notes

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review