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A scholar and cultural critic, bell hooks infuses her writings with conversations of race and gender. In 1999, hooks wrote Happy to Be Nappy as her first children's book. Chris Raschka, two-time winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal for illustrations in children's books, created the images that accompany hooks's text. Written for ages 3 and above with a focus on those in their preschool and early elementary years, this book inspires young girls to celebrate the beauty of their hair "soft like cotton, flower petal billowy soft, full of frizz and fuzz." Although written with a focus on African or African-American girls, the narrative encourages all readers to see the beauty within them. Disney-Hyperion re-released the title in board-book form in 2017.
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What does it mean to be a boy? Can we perfectly capture the essence and energy of young manhood? How do we celebrate all things boy? Exuberantly capturing “all things boy”, comes Be Boy Buzz from famed author Bell Hooks. Her bold, poetic writing plunges into the essence and energy of what it means to be a boy - particularly an African-American boy. Soulful illustrations from Chris Raschka perfectly complement Hooks’ trademarked brevity and eloquence. Leaving readers irresistibly captivated by the delights and contradictions of young manhood, this rhythmic, life affirming book is a must read for anyone yearning to celebrate what it means to be a boy.
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Designed as kids’ art book, Grump, Groan, Growl digs down and connects with kids at their level with a picture book that is intended to help toddlers understand emotional control. This is about giving kids their first lesson in redirection energy that winds them up and makes them otherwise crazy little tornadoes of mayhem in a household. bell hooks takes what is her normal acidic skill at social commentary and transforms it into a help book for first-year readers. In doing so, Grump, Groan, Growl attaches to kids at their communication level with the favorable analogies of animal sounds, but in reality, it’s teaching them their first lessons at assimilating with society, starting with their home life.
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No one delves into the subjects of race and identity quite like bell hooks. The celebrated author is back with an illustrated book that challenges both adults and kids to reconsider preconceived notions. Skin Again broaches the subject of race and how it can be dangerous to place value on a person after taking one look at them. The illustrated story calls for individuals to search for the treasure hidden in everyone before jumping to conclusions. Readers will never be the same after getting an understanding of bell hooks' perspective on race and identity as told in Skin Again.
