The Dillons' art, showing Dr. King flanked by the spirits of justice and equality, is featured on the cover and title page. There's a short biography of Dr. King at the end of the book as well as brief statements by each of the artists featured. Superb concept, splendidly realized. Kenyana dreads the nightly combing and oiling because, no matter how gentle her mother is, the ritual often hurts. Tarpley's gentle text and Lewis' delicate, expressive watercolors send a sure message about self-affirmation.
Hair is merely the metaphor.
Grimes celebrates children, most particularly African-American children, in a cycle of poems filled with her usual joy and sensitivity. Pinkney illustrates that one with a pair of photographs of impish youngsters at play. The group includes his own three children as well as many others. Slim or chubby, bespectacled or braided, solemn or smiling, they're an appealing, exceptionally animated congregation. Most come with a photographic portrait.