Hairstory

By: Sope Martins, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (Illustrator)

Write A Review

Hardcover | 23 June 2026

At a Glance

Hardcover
48 Pages

Age
4 - 8

Grade
P - 3

Dimensions(cm)
25.4 x 25.4 x 1.27

Hardcover

RRP $29.99

$28.99

or 4 interest-free payments of $7.25 with

Ships in 3 to 5 business days

Two starred reviews!

Joy hums from this “glorious…beautifully styled” (Booklist, starred review) picture book celebration of the richness of the African heritage behind braids, locs, cornrows, and all manner of crowning glory, from ancient times to present day—perfect for fans of Sulwe and We Are the Ship.

With the lushest of language, a young girl getting her hair styled tells an overall history of African hair. Beads. Feathers. Cowries. Threads of gold. Ivory. Charcoal. Pearls. Bantu knots. Cornrows. Goddess Braids. Maps. Seeds. Afros. Clay. Dreadlocks. Woven with the greatest care. Across different African cultures. Everything rich with meaning.

- Centuries of meaning! Hair! It’s woven with history.
- It is living art—can be adorned with intricate rings, mother of pearl, feathers.
- It is identity.
- It shapes community.
- It can speak to age, wealth, or power.
- It provided escape maps for the enslaved to follow when written word was forbidden. Woven with seeds, pearls, gold, it provided a way to survive after escape.
- And to many, it contains the soul.

For centuries, people of African descent have faced prejudice and judgment over their hair. Backlash for their styles. Dictated to as to what styles are “acceptable”. But author Sope Martins boldly, exquisitely, subverts this all in her celebration of African hair and its complicated, powerful heritage.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.