A scholar and cultural critic, bell hooks infuses her writings with conversations of race and gender. 1999, Hooks wrote Happy to Be Nappy as her first children's book. Chris Raschka, a 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 three and above, focusing 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 the writing focuses 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.