A BOY AND HIS MIRROR

A young Black boy with long, curly hair struggles to feel accepted.

Chris loves his hair even if other kids consider it “girly.” At school, some laugh and stare. Mom tries to make Chris feel better with a pep talk. When he looks in the mirror, something strange happens. A beautiful Black woman comes out of the mirror, dressed like royalty. She tells Chris that “in a faraway land, child, / you’d look like a king” and that he should embrace his hair. He returns to the mystical mirror when his kinglike behavior is lost on his peers. His enchanted mirror guides him on the behaviors of a true king, sending him on his way to lead his peers to change and show them that there is room for everyone. Bright, evocative acrylic illustrations bring Chris and his diverse group of peers to life as he learns to love and accept himself. The author conveys this empowering message through an omniscient narrator and rhyming couplets. The highly textured illustrations work in conjunction with the lyrical text across the double-page spreads, moving the story along at a steady pace. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A rousing display of pride and self-love and a reminder of the importance of kindness.