Book Review

Ella and the Knot Fairies

by Amanda Baker

 

"a charming little book and perfect for mixed-race families where the children question why their hair is not the same as their parents, or their siblings."

 

Ella and the Knot Fairies is a whimsical picture story in verse  for young children. It is about a little girl, Ella, and her hair, and the book is really about hair and the many different types of hair and the different ways that it can be styled. It introduces the naughty knot fairies who supposedly mess up Ella's hair while she is sleeping but who have untidy hair themselves that they don't know how to look after. Ella's mother shows the Knot fairies how to care for their fuzzy hair.

 

The book is aimed at young mixed-race or black children whose parents have a different hair texture themselves, so that the parents have to learn how to care for their children's hair, and the children learn that different hair is just different, neither better nor worse.

 

It is simply, but delightfully, illustrated. I think it is a shame that it is printed in an unusual font – I think it is Harrington font – as that isn't an easy font for children to read themselves. Children who are beginning to learn to read, and who have had books read to them, often like to go back to the books and read them for themselves. This gives books a longer life span when they carry important and helpful messages, such as this book does. However, it is a charming little book and perfect for mixed-race families where the children question why their hair is not the same as their parents, or their siblings. A most helpful book for Harmony members and for everyone wanting to celebrate difference rather than see it as problematic.

 

Review by Cindy Matthews

 

Ella and the  Knot Fairies Publ. CreateSpace Independant Publishing Platform.

ISBN 9781537583754

 

Review published by People in Harmony

Newsletter Spring 2017 Issue 63