I have been trying to find books that promote self confidence and self awareness for children. Especially children of color. I have found a few books online but none in stores. One book in particular that really stood out was, “I Love My Cotton Candy Hair!” by Nicole Updegraff. It’s a charming and beautifully illustrated story, about her gorgeous daughter, Charlie. I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicole for Hair and Heart.
What inspired you to write I Love My Cotton Candy Hair?
Three years ago I was stunned when my then 3yr old daughter came home from a play date crying and saying she wanted her hair to be straight and yellow. I knew my girls would likely struggle with insecurities at some point in their lives, we all do, but I never imagined it would begin so soon. At age three my precious child had already found something in herself that she felt wasn’t good enough, something that needed to be fixed. To say that that broke my heart would be a gross understatement. And so the search began. I searched high and low for books about absolute self love and acceptance. The problem is that these books are hard to find for three years olds. Even harder for three year olds who look like mine. A year and a half after that incident I took matters into my own hands and wrote, illustrated and self published ” I LOVE my Cotton Candy Hair!”
