Hardcover edition
Borzoi Book Published by
Alfred A. Knopf., Inc. New York, 1997
Cover Price: $17.00 US. - $22.00 CAN.
At This Web Site: $15.00 USD.
Signed by the author.
Paperback edition
Dragonfly Book Publishedby
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York, 1998
Cover Price: $6.99 US. - $9.50 CAN.
AWARDS
Nappy Hair has received three awards for children's literature:
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Parenting Magazine
1998 Reading Magic Award |
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Marion Vannett Ridgway
1998 Honor Book Award |
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Paterson Prize
1998 Books for Young People from the Poetry Center |
REVIEWS
"Ebulliently illustrated...and great fun to read aloud at home or at school."
--The New York Times Book Review
"The call-and-response is glorious...as Brenda's family celebrates their togetherness -- and her hair."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The exuburent gospel rhythm of the text is matched by Cepeda's bold, color-saturated paintings."
--Kirkus Reviews
"The family's cross talk takes on the high-voltage spark and crackle of a gospel revival. The illustrations
are deliriously silly and sly."
--Parenting
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About the book
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In a unique and vibrant picture book that uses the African-American
call-and-response tradition, a family talks back and forth about adorable
Brenda's hair--it's the nappiest, the curliest, the twistiest hair in the whole
family. The family delights in poking gentle fun with their hilarious
descriptions, all the time discovering the beauty and meaning of Brenda's
hair. Soulful, funny, full of rhythm, and bursting with family pride, Nappy
Hair is accessible to people of all ages. Joe Cepeda's colors are ripe but
youthful, sweet but bold--with lots of kid appeal. A must for reading aloud,
Nappy Hair is a meaningful and completely captivating reading
experience. Nobody who has nappy hair--or know someone with nappy
hair--will be able to forget little Brenda!
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Call & Response
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The Nappy Hair story is like a praise song from West Africa. In a praise song the poet or
"griot" (say 'gree-oh') praises the chief or leader of the people. Although the song is
supposed to be all praise, sometimes the griot tries to find a way to tell the chief how
to improve. If you have seen the book, Nappy Hair you have noticed that it has lines
spoken by Uncle Mordecai followed by lines spoken by the audience.
For example:
When Uncle Mordecai calls out,
Them some willful intentional naps you got all over your head.
The people sitting around the tables at the picnic respond
Then Uncle Mordecai calls,
Your hair intended to be nappy.
And the people respond,
This kind of story telling is called "call and response," and this type of "call and response"
was created by African American people.
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Dedications
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Nappy Hair is Dedicated to my beloved parents
Georgia Carol Johnson Herron
and
Oscar Smith Herron, Sr.
In Our Year Of Gold Who accepted the awesome task, and did not refuse to bring my nappy head into the world.
"We best be glad y'all had this chile."
Carolivia Herron
And Joe Cepeda, the illustrator of Nappy Hair, dedicates Nappy Hair to his father
Jose Perez Cepeda
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