Oshún and Me

By Adiba Nelson, Alleanna Harris (Illustrator)

A girl discovers her heritage through braided hair and cowrie shells.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 105 ratings

32 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Yadira faces her first day at a new school, nervous about fitting in. As her mother braids her hair with gold and cowrie shells, she shares the story of the goddess Oshún, connecting Yadi to her Afro Latin roots. With each braid, Yadi gains strength and identity, ready to embrace her true self. Will the wisdom of Oshún and the beauty of her heritage help her find her place? Discover how a simple Hair Day transforms into a journey of self-discovery and cultural pride.

From the publisher

Tenderly illustrated by Alleanna Harris, Adiba Nelson’s debut picture book Oshún and Me is a heartwarming ode to family, identity, and the beauty of braided hair. Also available in Spanish!It’s Sunday, and that means it’s Hair Day! As Mami weaves gold and cowrie shells into Yadira’s hair, she tells her the story of the goddess Oshún, showing Yadi how her Afro Latin heritage is lovingly tucked into each braid and shell. The next day, Yadi arrives for her first day at a new school. She’s nervous about making friends, but with her beautiful braids, the click-clack of the cowrie shells, and a little guidance from Oshún, she finds she has everything she needs to be her best, most authentic self. A letter from the author and visual examples of different kinds of braided hairstyles are included in the back of the book.

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