Reading: HAIR LOVE - Matthew A. Cherry (writer), Vashti Harrison (illustrator)

I fell in love with the short film Hair Love when first seeing it a couple months ago, and its Oscar couldn't have been deserved more. Coming across the picture book was pure accident, I had no idea director/screenwriter Matthew A. Cherry had authored this slightly edited version of the story, but the heart and amazing artwork (truly, Vashti Harrison, who also did the illustrations for Lupita Nyong'o's Sulwe - a review of which can also be found on this blog- is an amazing talent whose illustrations would stand alone as framed art on your wall) go hand-in-hand in this sweet story of a father and daughter in the African-American community, and what happens when the little girl needs her hair done for a special occasion and mama's away on a trip. I wish more stories like this existed - fathers bonding with their children and enjoying the privilege - so hopefully between this and the film, which add so much humor and heart to the story of a dad who seeks only to make his little girl happy (even if he has no idea what he's doing), more such stories will emerge both in print and on screen, paving the way for such scenes to occur more in everyday life, as well.  4.5/5 stars