Reviewer: Erica Young
Published: November 2019
Genres: fiction, children’s literature
Grade Levels: Preschool – 3rd grade
Content Warnings: n/a
Goodreads Link: Don’t Touch My Hair
Publisher’s Summary:
An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair. It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls, and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she’s chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens . . . until, finally, Aria has had enough! Author-illustrator Sharee Miller takes the tradition of appreciation of black hair to a new, fresh, level as she doesn’t seek to convince or remind young readers that their curls are beautiful, she simply acknowledges black beauty while telling a fun, imaginative story.
Review:
I strongly believe in teaching consent at an early age, so I think this is a great book about how it is not ok to touch someone without their permission. It is understandable that children are curious, especially if it is something that might look or feel different than their own, but we must teach children about personal space and making sure it is ok. We need to show children that we can ask permission if we are interested, and understand that some might say no and some might say yes, which I think this book does a great job of modeling.
What makes this book especially effective is how it wraps an important boundary lesson in humor and imagination. Aria’s over-the-top escape scenes are exactly the kind of playful exaggeration that keeps young kids engaged, while still making her frustration crystal clear. The story gives children a safe way to talk about a very real issue, and it encourages them to notice someone’s body language and emotions, not just their own curiosity.
I also love that the message is empowering rather than preachy. Aria is not portrayed as “mean” for saying no, she is confident, expressive, and fully allowed to set her boundary. That is such an important takeaway for young readers, especially those who are often expected to be polite at the expense of their comfort. I can see this being a powerful read-aloud for helping students practice phrases like “Please do not touch me,” “You need to ask first,” and “No thank you,” in a way that feels natural and age-appropriate.
I love that this book embraces Aria’s hair as something special and desirable. I imagine this book is well loved by children of color who can relate to this story. I love that this book makes Aria feel special so that others can read and feel special too. I have had previous students that light up when they see this cover and can relate to this image. I work hard to keep a classroom library that is diverse and this book was one of the first I purchased.
The illustrations and language are another strength. The artwork is bold, fun, and expressive, and the vocabulary is strong without being inaccessible. Words like “fierce” and “permission” stand out for me, and they lend themselves to quick mini-lessons or anchor charts. I also think this book naturally connects to SEL work around respect, identity, empathy, and boundaries, and it would pair nicely with a simple class discussion, role-play scenarios, or a “Ways We Show Respect” chart. I highly recommend this book in early childhood classrooms.
