Wanda

A heartwarming story about identity and being proud of who you are

Wanda's a little girl always in a hurry. She needs to get to school in time to change her hair from the "natural" way her mother does it. Her teacher will say it's like a bird's nest and put a black dot on her star chart. And the naughty boys in her class tease her for it. On the way home, she has to change her hair back again to the wonderful cloud her mother makes. Wanda is distressed but she knows she loves her beautiful African hair.

Makhulu (Grandmother) understands how Wanda feels. She makes a scrapbook of pictures of women, all glamorous and beautiful, and with all sorts of hairstyles, and asks Wanda which she likes best. She shows Wanda how to make her hair into a crown that a queen would be proud of.

About the Author

Sihle Nontshokweni teaches at the University of Pretoria and is working on a Ph.D. alongside her writing for children. She has also studied in China, gaining a Master's degree at Beijing University. She has a deep interest in how racialised contexts and situations affect personal identity and aspirations, particularly with children. Wanda was inspired by her own and her co-author's high school experiences. She has recently completed a second book, Fly Everyone. Mathabo Tlali and Sihle went to high school together. Mathabo's own story is one of aspiration, determination and empowerment. Having dropped out of her university course, she is now back on track for a degree in drama and sociology.

About the Illustrator

Chantelle and Burgen Thorne are South-African based illustrators with an international clientele.