Happy to Be Nappy by bell hooks, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Caldecott Medal-winning artist), is a radiant celebration of Black childhood and natural hair, wrapped in a joyful, rhythmic ode to self-love. Published in 1999, hooks’ lyrical text—simple yet profound—exults in the beauty of curls, coils, and kinks with lines like “Girlpie hair smells clean and sweet” and “Happy with naps that never end.” Raschka’s exuberant watercolor illustrations bring this affirmation to life, swirling with vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes that capture the playful energy of hairstyles from afros to braids.
A pioneering work in children’s literature, the book transforms a daily routine into a soulful act of pride, challenging Eurocentric beauty standards with unapologetic warmth. Its fusion of hooks’ empowering voice and Raschka’s artistic spontaneity makes it a timeless read-aloud for nurturing confidence and joy in young Black readers.
