A heart warming story about identity and being proud of who you are. Wanda has beautiful hair but she’s very unhappy about it. The boys tease her on the bus. But grandmother has the answer.
She decides to fix her hair to make it look beautiful.
‘ You are a queen and your hair is your crown’, grandmother says gently.
But I don’t want this hair says Wanda. I want my hair to be smooth and silky. So Grandmother and Wanda create different hairstyles and soon she looks as beautiful as a queen.
Sihle Nantshokweni is the joint author, she teaches at the University of Pretoria plus writing for children. She has a deep interest in how racial issues affect personal identity and aspiration, particularly with children. Mathabo Tiali and Sihle went to school together and Mathabo’s own story is one of aspiration, determination and empowerment.
Chantelle and Bergen Thorne are experienced South Africa based illustrators, who are published internationally .They are now focusing on picture books for children with several titles being released this year. Avid bookworms themselves, they take great delight in the visual storytelling of picture books, art and text working together, every word and every image adding to the reader’s experience.
Otter Barry Books have a wealth of excellent picture books and Wanda is part of a hugely creative and diverse booklist from Otter- Barry Books who have been shortlisted for the 2022 British Book Awards Small Press of the Year.
A beautiful book which will help anyone who feels pressurised about themselves and their identity.
Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist
