Stories About Being Young in America

From B.E.T. and Amistad Books:

With these joyous poems, National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Accompanied by artist Brenda Joysmith's soft, lush portraits of women and girls of all ages, Thomas's lyrical language shares what is special about hair that-is dreadlocked, braided, adorned, or worn free. The poems and images rejoice in the spirit of individuality that comes from having your unique crowning glory.

First Braids

My mother braids my hair
Stirring the roots
with knowing fingers

"This here is your glory,"
She says
I look in the mirror and see:
My dream me
Running in plaited loops
From the top
Of my head
On down
To the locks of my shoulders.

Joyce Carol Thomas

Children's Book Council and the Academy of American Poets:

With these joyous poems, National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Accompanied by artist Brenda Joysmith's soft, lush portraits of women and girls of all ages, Thomas's lyrical language shares what is special about hair that is dreadlocked, braided, adorned, or worn free. Crowning Glory rejoices in the spirit of individuality and is an ode to the bond the hair creates for women in a family.

Publishers Weekly:

Thomas (Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea), celebrates the beauty of African-American hair in this collection of 14 poems. Based on Thomas's daughter and granddaughters, Joysmith's (This is My Song) full-bleed pastel portraits, opposite, provide loving accompaniment and demonstrate a spectrum of hairstylesreaders will want this handsomely designed volume not only for its hair-apparent emphasis but also for the ways in which Thomas effortlessly uses her theme to integrate its ties to family, friendships and tradition.

Kirkus Reviews:

A celebration of hair, the hair of beautiful African-American girls, is the focus of this collection of gentle, joyful poems.... The author-illustrator collaboration took ten years to complete and the results are well worth the time and effort.

School Library Journal:

Thomas lovingly extols the virtues and beauty of braids; The 14 free-verse poems are magical. Joysmith's full-page pastels present an intimate look into the life of this African-American family and are a perfect complement to the poetry. Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NY