Celebrating Every Kind of Hair: Co-creator Amanda Jane Jones shares the inspiration behind THE HAIR BOOK

My family recently moved from the Hyde Park, Chicago to Provo, Utah. Provo is a predominantly white community, and compared to Hyde Park, which is a melting pot of culture and diversity, the contrast was stark and immediately apparent. I was driven even more so to make sure my youngest child saw representation in books, if he wasn’t going to see it in on a day-to-day basis in our new community, and thus began the idea for The Hair Book.

LaTonya and I co-created The Hair Book with every intention to fill it with so much heart and care as we empower young readers to remember and see that EVERY type of hair is worthy to be praised and celebrated! We tried to capture the sentiment so beautifully with the line: “no matter your hair, you are welcome everywhere”.

When we decided to pursue the release of The Hair Book in both hardcover and board book editions, LaTonya had the marvelous idea of adding a mirror to the end of the board book edition. It creates an opportunity for toddlers to put themselves in our story and see their reflection on the page. It truly captures the spirit of The Hair Book’s words and message, and we’re so grateful that we could make it happen for this edition.

LaTonya Yvette, author of Woman of Color (part memoir, part lifestyle guide), is passionate about equity and inclusion and was eager to make her foray into children’s books. This book collaboration seemed like a natural next step, taking her beautiful work and words to younger audiences. It was a joy to collaborate with her on this special project and we can’t wait to read it to our own children and share it with our communities. 

Meet the author

Amanda Jane Jones is an award-winning graphic designer and illustrator, and a mother of  three. She is the author of Yum Yummy Yuck, the founding designer and cocreator of Kinfolk magazine, and the founder of Define Magazine. Learn more at: amandajanejones.com and on Instagram @amandajanejones.

About The Hair Book

A bold, graphic picture book celebrating all types of hair.

With striking, colorful graphics and simple alliterative text, this paper-over-board book with thick interior stock features poufy hair, wavy hair, Afro hair, hair covered in a hijab, and more. The message is clear: no matter what you look like, you are beautiful, valued, and welcome everywhere.

ISBN-13: 9781454944324
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Publication date: 05/03/2022

Filed under: Guest Post