About This Story
Each morning, Dad brushes the knots from his son’s long hair to braid it. The boy winces at the tugging, and at school, he’s teased for his braid. But he remembers the stories of how his father and grandpa were forced to cut their hair and forbidden from practicing their traditions when they were young, and how they fought to make it possible for him to wear his hair long. Although it can hurt, having long hair ultimately makes him feel brave and strong.
Why I Love This Story:
Thank you to Kokila Publishing for the review copy
Brave, written and illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre, is a beautiful story that focuses on the importance of culture and tradition. The story follows a young boy who takes great pride in his long hair. At school, he is teased for his braid and struggles to be brave. The boy’s father explains to him the sacrifices of those who came before him, such as his grandfather, who allowed them to cut his hair so he could fight in the war. At the end of the story, the young boy realizes that he is strong, brave, and loved. The first-person narrative allows readers to connect to the feelings the young boy has. The illustrations are done in muted colors with pops of color that represent strong emotions and feelings. Brave allows readers to recognize that they are unique and strong. A great story for the classroom or home library.
Ages 5 and up
32 Pages
