Reviewed by Erin Nicole Cochran for Readers' Favorite

Black Boy Hair Joy: A Rhyming Book That Teaches Black Boys Self Love by Tiffany Obeng is an inspiring children’s picture book about being proud of your hair. The narrative is written in a sing-song rhyme that brings feelings of love as you turn the pages. It is straight and to the point. Charming illustrations created by Eris Aruman reach out to the reader and the artwork brings to mind Sunday morning newspaper comics in a nostalgic way. Aruman creates an easy, familiar bond between the reader and the book.

Tiffany Obeng’s Black Boy Hair Joy found a place in my heart. One of the reasons I loved the book so much was that there were no specific names mentioned, which makes it easier to imagine yourself in the role of any of the characters. You feel the effect that Black Boy Hair Joy is going to have on so many young boys. The self-esteem and self-pride that emanate from the words is something that you can almost feel on a physical level, it’s that deep. This is a book that would be perfect for school libraries and also would be an amazing fit for barbershops and hair salons. It would be a helpful tool to read to children as they were getting their hair cut, especially if they were anxious about getting a first haircut in a professional setting. Once you read this book it stays with you in wonderful ways.