BEACH HAIR

An impromptu beach adventure sprouts from the bed heads of a loving family.

A young, curly-haired, brown-skinned child awakens to a hairdo that just screams “beach day,” according to Mommy and Daddy, who sport similar but distinct bed heads of their own. Their skin tones and hair textures (Mommy presents Black, while Daddy is pale-skinned and dark-haired) are a welcome reminder that family members often look different from one another; indeed, highlighting difference becomes a prominent element throughout the book. Woodfolk and Mata celebrate differences, from the hats the family dons to leave home (“Mommy’s is wide and bendy,” “Daddy’s is pulled down low and tight,” “Mine looks like the bucket I’ll shovel sand into soon”) to people’s beach hair they come across when they arrive (“TWISTY and TWIRLY,” “ORANGEY and OILY”). The trio quickly remove their hats when they realize that everyone else’s hair is “WILD and FREE.” The sun is shining, the water looks inviting, and who can resist the palm trees, birds, and splashing beach visitors, brought to life by spirited, full-color digital illustrations? Woodfolk describes the beachgoers’ various hair textures, colors, and styles with delightful similes that compare hair to everything from “slippery seaweed” to “soft-serve ice cream,” which will elicit laughs in readers, just as with our protagonist.

A radiant love letter to family, beachy summer days, and the freedom to let your hair down.