‘Stella’s Stellar Hair’ Shows Black and Brown Kids the Beauty of Their Unique Crowns of Hair

I first learned about Yesenia Moises through a friend and through social media–the best of places, aren’t they? In the era before ‘Rona, fellow BNP writer Leslie was checking out the vendor hall at BlerdCon back in 2019 with her family which included her daughter and her niece when they came across the booth of the artist-illustrator. I was later told about Honeysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color, Moises’ first published book as illustrator and started to follow the artist on social media. When I heard that she was debuting her first book, I jumped at the chance to ask for a review copy and, in turn “tell a friend’ about a creative they should check out and a book that they’ll soon love.

Stella’s Stellar Hair opens to one young Stella waking up with the biggest, poofiest, untamed hair. It’s not at all what she wanted, especially on such a big day–today is the Big Star Little Gala! She notes that her hair twisted and turned and zigged and zagged, made loopity-loops and lots of curly q’s. She longs to look her best even though she’s not entirely sure what style will suit her. After speaking with her mama, she’s off on a very important quest to see her aunties on each planet and request their help with her hair!

I love the affirming language used throughout the book! Stella’s head is tended to with love, and she wears a number of different styles with everything from twists and braids to curls that make up an elegant crown. Hair is important to so many of us, and there…