Sofia the Dreamer and her Magical Afro

By Author / Illustrator

Jessica Wilson

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

Independently published

ISBN

9798642191330

Format

Picture book

Published

30-04-2020

Synopsis

Many untold stories are held in the kinks of afro hair. Winner of a Go Fund Me award, this fantasy-poem unravels the history of natural hairstyles and encourages children to love all of who they are. Every Sunday afternoon, Sofia’s mum washes and combs her hair. Whenever her hair is touched, Sofia becomes very sleepy. Sofia travels in her dreams visiting a Jamaican Rastafarian, African ancestor and Black Panther whose stories help to unpick the history, heroes and joys entangled in afro hair.

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Reviews

Young Sofia has her hair washed and styled every Sunday by her Mum. Every Sunday, as this is happening, Sofia can't help but drift off, dream-travelling peacefully to visit different cultural figures representing the historical background of Black African hair.

Whilst feeling sleepy as her hair is done, Sofia first meets a Jamaican Rastafarian. The following week, in a daze, Sofia time travels back to Los Angeles to meet an inspirational member of the Black Panther Party. 'My hair is a symbol of POWER' the woman tells her, 'I stand for equal rights, freedom and justice.' And again, whilst mum is finishing her canerow braids, another lazy Sunday afternoon, Sofia finds herself wondering dreamily in another land. This time she is in a field in Ethiopia with an African ancestor. This powerful woman explains the importance of Sofia knowing her history. Each time Sofia dreams, she learns a little more about her styles and the cultural significance of her afro hair.

I love finding and having the pleasure of reading something different and Sofia the Dreamer and her Magical Afro was both a new and refreshing read. Wilson's poetic prose is an uplifting and empowering look at the history of natural hairstyles, encouraging children not to be afraid to be themselves and to honour their natural beauty. Tom Rawles' painterly illustrations are a great accompaniment, they are bold, bright and energetic.

This story holds some extra weight with me, as I have experienced first-hand children with afro hair coming into school timid and self-conscious of their new hairstyles. We need books like this in school! Books that are diverse, books that celebrate all voices, joyfully inspiring children to delve into theirs and others' historical backgrounds.

This story was written by Jessica Wilson in response to the need for diversity in publishing and it is our crucial role as teachers to ensure that good quality books featuring BAME characters reach our classrooms. The story is a celebration of Black History, although not one to be confined to one month of the year; this text should be shared and embraced all year round to encourage discussion, awareness and pride in our identity.

Picture book / Ages 5-10 years / Reviewed by Nikki Stiles, teacher