About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
In this beautifully illustrated picture book written by Commonwealth Prize-winning author Olive Senior and illustrated by the much-acclaimed artist of Anna Carries Water a little girl learns to love her difficult-to-manage curly hair.
Contributor Notes
Olive Senior was born and brought up in Jamaica and educated in Jamaica and Canada. She is the winner of many awards, including the Commonwealth Prize and the Institute of Jamaica's Gold Medal for her poetry. She lives in Toronto.
Laura James is an award—winning artist and self—taught painter of Antiguan heritage. Working as a professional artist and illustrator for many years, she is best known for her illustrations for the Book of the Gospels: a lectionary, published by LTP Press. She was born in New York City, where she now lives.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 6 to 8
- Grade:
- 1 to 3
- Reading age:
- 6 to 8
Editorial Review
"Jamaican-Canadian writer Senior uses playful rhymes to speak directly to young readers who may struggle with standing out from other kids their age. And she includes poignant moments as when Jamilla spots a self-portrait of Frida Kahlo, who also has plaits in her hair.
The artwork by James — who is of Antiguan heritage — is an explosion of colour and energy, with each one of her illustrations perfectly echoing the vibrancy of Jamilla's ever-changing electric and kinetic hairstyles. James brilliantly reinforces her theme by making Jamilla's class multicultural and including a spread of paintings by famous artists — all of whom have widely individual styles.
Together, author and illustrator show young readers that being different isn't a bad thing. Not only does Jamilla learn to appreciate her hair, the girls in her class think it's boonoonoonous, too."
— Quill & Quire
