Something magical happens when little kids see positive images and characters that look like them; it provokes possibility and audacity to dream. Representation matters for people of all ages, but in the home with children’s book on diversity with children’s book characters of all backgrounds is the first place it should start. These 50+ kids’ books celebrating curly hair not only features characters with curly hair – both curly boys and girls – but they push against beauty standards, and perhaps even the reader, to say, “I love my curly hair. Do you?”.
Kids Books On Curly Hair
The diverse children’s books we have selected below are all about the joys of naturally curly hair with varying hair textures and hues… but you don’t have to have curly hair to enjoy them! That’s the wonderful thing about a diverse children’s books list – everyone benefit from expanding their worldviews and perceptions of others! So whether you have straight hair or tight coils, these children’s books on diversity in hair is meant from everyone.
Related: Growth Mindset Books for Kids
Children’s Books About Diversity
Below are more than 50 childrens books about diversity featuring characters with curly hair. We’ve listed the age range on most, but you’ll find everything from books for first graders, baby books for boys and girls, and even new selections to add to your preschool book list. All celebrating naturally curly hair! Also included are a couple recommendations for bilingual children’s books on hair, as well as a few of our favorite kids/adults coloring books with curly inspiration.
Diverse Books with Curly Boys
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs (4-8): Written by Taye Digges, father of mixed kids, this sweet boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else and she helps him to see how beautiful he truly is.
Straight hair, Curly Hair by Augusta Goldin (6-10): Teach children that everyone has different hair, and why those differences occur… according to science! It’s an old-fashioned kids book from the 1960s with different hair color and textures.
My Hair is Beautiful Because It’s Mine by Paula Dejoie: a playful rhyme and beautiful illustrations of black children and their hair. Reinforcing a positive self-image and promotes an inclusive standard of beauty.
Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (4-7): Miles is a young black boy making his first trip to the barbershop with his father! Like most little boys, he is afraid of the sharp scissors, the buzzing razor, and the prospect of picking a new hairstyle. But with the support of his dad, the barber, and the other men in the barbershop, Miles bravely sits through his first haircut. My kids love the jazzy beat and realistic illustrations. This book for black boys captures an important rite of passage for African-American identity.
Related: My Son’s First Little Boy Haircut!
Naturally Me! by Crystal Swain-Bates: boost self-esteem and build confidence in children of all ages with this fun rhyming picture book following a freckle-faced girl and a gap-toothed boy throughout their day as they show the reader how to celebrate and feel comfortable in their own skin, just the way they naturally are!
Big Hair Don’t Care
Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates (3-8): Lola has really really REALLY big hair, much bigger than the other kids at her school. Despite her hair blocking the view of anyone that dares sit behind her and causing her to lose at hide and seek, she sings the praises of her big hair throughout this rhyming picture book. This beautifully illustrated book is perfect for any little black or mixed girl with big hair.
I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (5-8): a modern classic, this whimsical story celebrates the beauty of African-American hair for the last 20 years! In this imaginative story, a girl named Keyana discovers the beauty and magic of her special hair, encouraging black children to be proud of their heritage.
Books for First Graders
Happy Hair by Metal Renee Roe (4-7): Happy Hair is a call and response picture book that promotes positive self-esteem and hair love to girls of all ages! With adorable illustrations, Happy Hair covers different shades and hair types all while being fun and fashionable.
Chloe’s Coily Curls by Tamara N Jones: celebrate little girls with tons of curls! There are plenty of days when we are not feeling like the best version of ourselves, and a lot of those times happen when our hair is misbehaving. A fun story of everyday life with curly hair.
I Am Enough by Grace Byers (4-8): a New York Times bestseller, this is a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another. It is not specifically about hair but it features many biracial and brown babies with diverse hair textures.
Related: Do Kids Need Friends Who Look Like Them?
My Hair is So Happy by Nik Scott: Promise, Hope, Grace and Faith appear to be very different, but there’s one common thing they share. If you take a closer look, you’ll notice they all have curly hair! Hope’s hair is blonde and wild, spiraled in beautiful ringlets. While Promise’s hair is tightly coiled, she wears puffs and barrettes. Faith’s hair hangs down her back in looser curls and waves. And Grace’s hair is much, much curlier, the color of a fiery blaze.
I Don’t Want Curly Hair
I Don’t Want Curly Hair! by Laura Ellen Anderson (2-5): all Curly Haired Girl has ever wanted is straight and luscious locks. Instead, she has big red curly locks. But when she meets a little girl with the smoothest, silkiest hair, who says all she’s ever wanted is spirally, squiggly hair, they are both confused! A hilarious tale about loving what we have. And hair, lots and lots of hair.
If I Had Long, Long Hair by Angela E Hunt (2-10): Loretta, who has short, curly hair, wishes for long, long hair–she’d be able to do so many wonderful things! But then she begins to think about the trouble long, long hair might cause . . . and decides she’s just fine the way she is.
Penny and the Magic Puffballs by Alonda Williams (4-8): Penny wanted to wear her hair “down” like all of the other girls in her class. She wondered why her friends had long straight hair and she did not. Penny’s mom assured her that her hair is perfect and decides to style her hair in puffballs, magic puffballs. Penny learns though a series of fun adventures, that wonderful and magical things happen when she wears her puffballs. There are two volumes in this series.
Curlee Girlee by Atara Twersky (3-8): Curlee Girlee’s hair makes her mad! She wants it to grow down her back like spaghetti, not sideways and all curly-whirly. Curlee Girlee wants to look like everybody else- and she’ll try anything to solve her problem. Then one day she discovers that her curly hair is perfect just the way it is. Curlee Girlee doesn’t need to look like everyone else to be beautiful.
I LOVE my Cotton Candy Hair by Nicole Updegraff: Charlie is a caring, funny and friendly little girl. Like all children, she’s beginning to face the struggles with fitting in. In this book, Charlie rhymes her way into your heart with her perspective on the many goods and bads associated with her naturally curly “cotton candy hair” and finishes by saying “I love my hair and everything that comes with it.”
Dinosaurs Living in My Hair by Jayne M. Rose-Vallee: Sabrina has curly hair and a problem. Tangles and knots make her mornings difficult. Try as she might . . . To make her hair “cool,” . . . . The curls make it tricky . . . To comb out for school. At the top of her head . . . Where it’s simply a mess . . . Do creatures hide out there? . . . The answer is yes!
Dinosaurs Living in My Hair 2 by Jayne M. Rose-Vallee: a second installment in the series mentioned above, this one features children with different skin colors. Kids spend a lot of time focusing on their differences. “Dinosaurs Living in My Hair2” takes a look at what happens when five friends discover what they have in common: first grade challenges, curly hair, and . . . dinosaurs!?! The fun beings when these “surprising similarities” help them find the courage to stand up to classroom bullies.
Wild, Wild Hair by Nikki Grimes (4-8): hating having to get her wild hair painfully combed and braided every Monday, Tisa decides to hide, but once her hair is done, she loves it so much that her mother cannot tear her away from the mirror. A traditional story on the realities of taking care of curly hair.
Wanda and the Wild Hair by Barbara Azore (3-7): blue-eyed freckle-faced Wanda has a problem: she loves her wild hair dearly, but it drives all the adults in her life to distraction. She loves the way it feels when she touches it. She loves the way it looks when she pats it in front of the mirror. But her mother always nags her to wash it, her father wants to take her to the poodle parlor for a trim, and her teacher threatens to ask the principal to cut it off. What can poor Wanda do? Kids who love their hair will identify with Wanda’s playful solution to make her adults happy.
Same Difference by Calida Garcia Rawles (4-8): Same Difference is a charming book for young readers that addresses the sensitive and sometime divisive issues of beauty and identity. It has a lyrical, upbeat air that begs to be read aloud and offers an engaging rhyme pattern for young children. Vivid illustrations capture the spirit and innocence of Lida and Lisa, two first cousins who find themselves at odds with each other over their physical differences. With the help of their wise grandmother, the girls soon realize that their bond is deeper than what they see and our differences are what make us beautiful.
Para las Mamás Bilingüe
Bad Hair Does Not Exist! by Sulma V Arzu-Brown: Bad Hair Does Not Exist is a tool of empowerment for all little girls of and children of afro-descent in the Latino community. It’s to enhance the confidence of girls who are beautiful, intelligent, savvy, witty, and have extraordinary hair. The book is intended to teach little girls how to define and describe their hair so that they don’t identify with the term “bad hair” or pelo malo. This books also exists in Spanish version here.
Curly Hair Straight Hair, Capello Rizado Capello Lacio by Dorothy Thurgood Manning: a bilingual (Spanish /English) poem depicting a child’s day through the prism of differing hair types.
I Love My Hair
Emi’s Curly Coily, Coton Candy Hair by Tina Olajide (2-5): Emi is a creative 7-year-old girl with a BIG imagination. In this story, Emi shares a positive message about her Curly, Coily, Cotton Candy Hair and what she likes most about it. The vibrant illustrations and fun story teach basic curly hair care and tips in a playful and memorable way.
I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl by Betty K. Bynum (5-7): Mia is a pretty little black girl and we agree! With all of her delightful and talented friends, Mia shares fun, good manners and the idea of a future filled with brilliance! Together with her friends, they are a representation of the many beautiful shades.
How I Wear My Amazing Hair by Comora’s Parents (3-12): How I Wear My Amazing Hair is a celebration of the beauty and the versatility of natural hair, while recognizing the magic a mother possesses when she holds a comb in her hands. The wonderful illustrations and captivating words will guide you step-by-step and strand-by-strand as these hairstyles come to life. Girls of all hair textures are welcomed to explore the beauty of diversity in this book.
Bintou’s Braids by Sylvianne Diouf (4-8): Bintou wants braids. Long, pretty braids, woven with gold coins and seashells, just like her older sister and the other women in her family. But she is too young for braids. Instead, all she has are four little tufts of hair; all she ever gets are cornrows. However, when Bintou saves the lives of her two young cousins and is offered a reward of her choosing, Bintou discovers that true beauty comes in many different forms. This heartwarming story capture the spirit of a West African village in this wise tale about a girl who learns she’s perfect just the way she is.
Do I Have to Make My Curly hair Straight? by Lesli Denise Mitchell: A story about an African-American girl and some of her school friends that try to encourage her to straighten her natural hair. The story shows most of the various straightening methods and some of the associated issues. A fairy with natural hair shares pros/cons of straightening their hair, talks about damage and encourages them to care for their hair and minimize damage. The fairy celebrates natural hair hair and suggests that if they do choose to straighten it, they can learn to be cautious, gentle and in order to damage it less alternate styles by learning how to include natural styles. A great little teaching book for older children who want to explore curly hairstyles.
My Mystical, Magical, Shrinking Hair: Crystals Mystical Magical Shrinking Adventures by Sherry Y. Smith: Crystal’s Hair Shrinkage is Mystical and Magical. “Shhhh. I have a secret.” Those words begin Crystal’s story as she shares the motivational and confidential story of her beautifully natural and kinky, curly, softly coiled hair texture. Crystals story begins as a small baby. Her hair grows longer and she grows taller into a little girl.
Look At All the things My Hair Can Do by Mercedes Young: Hair is a topic that follows us throughout our life, beginning at the playground. This book teaches about the beauty of hair. Come along on a journey with this little girl as she discovers the love that she has for her hair!
Picture Day (Cricket Curls Adventures) by Frances F Jones (5-6): this book expresses the confidence and love Cricket has for her hair. Cricket is proud to be who she is while enjoying the process of getting ready for her class photo. Cricket Curls is a series of children’s books dedicated to little girls and boys who love themselves and who they are becoming.
Maggie Sinclair, Will You Please Fix Your Hair by Hilary Grant Dixon: a lesson about self-love, this book introduces readers to sweet Maggie, a little girl whose big curly hair is rivaled only by her big imagination! When her grandmother implores her to “fix” her hair, Maggie finds clever solutions that satisfy her grandmother while simultaneously celebrating her gorgeous locks.
Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron (3-7): a lively, empowering story about Brenda’s knotted-up, twisted, nappy hair and how it got to be that way! Told in the African-American call and response tradition, this story leaps off the page with beautiful illustrations.
Natalie’s Hair Was Wild! by Laura Freeman (4-7): A playful read on the magic of curly tresses. Natalie’s hair is really wild—and she likes it that way! A host of friendly animals agree, and they move right in. At first it’s just butterflies and birds that take up residence atop Natalie’s head, but soon there are zebras, elephants, even a tiger! With all the roaring and squawking and snorting and burping, poor Natalie can hardly sleep. She needs to find someone to help coax those critters out . . . but who?
Princess Hair by Sharee Miller: all princesses wear crowns but they don’t all wear their hair the same way underneath. They wear braids, blowouts, afros and twists!
Happy to Be Nappy by Bell Hooks: legendary author Bell Hooks and Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka present a lyrical celebration, brimming with enthusiasm for girls and their hair. The book is available as a baby board book or a picture book.
Love Your Hair by Phoenix Austin: this book takes us on a journey lead by a super-cute, confident and sometimes sassy little girl named Phoenyx who loves her hair and wants every beautiful brown skin girl to love their hair too!
My Hair is Fuzzy My Hair is Cute by Toni Winston: this tells us all that no matter the length, shape or texture of your hair, it’s your hair and that’s what makes it great!
The Empress’ New Hair by S F Hardy: Empress Zaina Niara of Detroit Charm is in constant battle with her unruly hair. But when she finds herself and her hair in trouble with two greedy villains, she soon learns … her hair is less unruly and more versatile than she could have ever imagined.
Princess Truly and The Hungry Bunny Problem by Kelly Greenawalt (4-8): this book is a picture book for children, especially girls. It’s an enchanting tale about a clever, problem-solving princess with magical curly hair.
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont: high on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves—inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here’s a little girl who knows what really matters. One of my kids’ childhood favorites!
Curly Black Rapunzel
Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel by Patricia Storace (6-10): stolen away from her parents on her first birthday by island sorceress Madam Fate, beautiful Sugar Cane grows up in a tower overlooking the sea. With only a pet green monkey named Callaloo for company, Sugar Cane is lonely—her only consolation is her love of music. Often she stands at her window and sings, imagining that the echo of her voice is someone answering her.
Refilwe by Zukiswa Wanner (3-5): Zukiswa Wanner brings young readers a retelling of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, with a uniquely South African twist. Refilwe is the story of the dreadlocked beauty who is stuck in a cave on top of a mountain awaiting her prince, Tumi. This take on the classic tale will have the children chanting, “Refilwe, Refilwe let down your locks . . . So I can climb the scraggy rocks!”
Rapunzel by Rachel Isadora (4-6): gorgeous collages breathe new life into this classic tale, capturing Rapunzel’s striking beauty and the lush African setting, a new home for this story with wonderful details such as Rapunzel’s long dreadlocks and the prince’s noble steed: a zebra. Readers will delight in the vibrant illustrations, thrill at the appearances of the frightening sorceress, and chime in with the familiar line “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair” as they follow this well-loved tale.
Coloring Books for Adults and Kids!
The Curly Kids Coloring Book by Akirashanti Byrd: features girls and boys with beautiful curly hair in more than 60 coloring pages for little girls and boys. The coloring book features girls and boys wearing a variety of curly hairstyles. For girls, the coloring pages include princesses, mermaids, and ballerinas with curly hairstyles including buns, puffs, braids, afros (or low styles), updos, twists-outs, and bantu-knots. For boys, coloring pages include basketball players, superheroes, and skateboarders with dreadlocks, braids, afros and many other hair styles having fun and being themselves!
Naturally Cute Coloring Book by Chris Miller: Naturally Cute is a 50-page coloring book full of original art featuring black women with several natural hair styles. We got it all. Afros, braids, locks, short fades, curly twist, and more.
I Love My Hair: A Coloring Book of Braids, Coils, and Doodle Dos by Andrea Pippins: this title celebrates strong, confident women with a passion for style and design. Color Cleopatra’s headdress, Medusa’s coiffure or Marie Antoinette’s bouffant. Perfect for children and adults alike.
Color my Fro: A Natural Hair Coloring Book for Big Hair Lovers of All Ages by Crystal Swain-Bates: 31 big-haired fairies, mermaids, warriors, models, cheerleaders, and fierce divas grace the pages of this coloring book celebrating the beauty of black women and natural hair. At each turn of the page, a new natural hair inspired illustration greets you.
Curlies Color Too: A Coloring & Hairstyle Book for Mommy & Me by Yolanda Renee: this is a coloring book with a difference. This is not just a coloring book but also a hairstyle book to help mothers and daughters have fun with their natural hair. The illustrations are of curly girls with natural hair and they are also styles that you can create.
Color My Curls: My Hair is Beautiful Coloring Book for Adults by Mindful Coloring Books: If you want to join in the coloring fun, this coloring book is all about beautiful hair with hand-drawn illustrations. Illustrated by artist Anastasiya Bubnova, this is a positive natural hair coloring book featuring curly hair decorated with flowers, wornfree, braided, and in many other beautiful hairstyles.
