Happy Book Birthday To 'If My Hair Had A Voice'

‘If My Hair Had A Voice,’ a picture book I illustrated last year, is officially available for sale from today! Written by Dana Marie Miroballi and published by Beaming Books ,it tells the story of Kimya, a biracial girl who’s on a quest to understand and appreciate her natural, afro-textured hair.

I knew that I had to illustrate this children’s book as soon as I read the first page of the manuscript! On that page, Kimya's grandmother attempts to part her luscious curls when the comb she's using breaks. I just found this so relatable since my curly afro-textured hair has broken many a comb both as a child and as an adult. I can also relate to Kimya's feeling of dismay when it happened and her questioning whether she should keep her hair curly or straighten it.

The first pages of 'If My Hair Had A Voice'

Luckily for Kimya, her grandmother encourages her to embrace and celebrate her texture. This leads her on a journey where she discovers a the historical and cultural importance of hair in black communities across the world. 

It's a beautiful and heartwarming story and I can't wait for more people to read it!

For more information about If My Hair Had A Voice, check it out on Beaming Books' website here.