Birungi is definitely not in the mood for school today. Everything seems just too hard. And doing her hair? She hates her hair! ‘Why?’, ask her mum and dad. ‘Because it’s just NO GOOD!’, she says.

Dad pipes up. Does she want to know the secret to good hair? Well, of course she does.

As Birungi goes through her day she sees that hair comes in all sorts of colours, like black, brown, blonde, white and even blue. Or pink! It can grow up, down, round and round, pointing this way and that. It can be long or short, or even play hide and seek so you can see it at all! It twirls and quiffs, frizzes and flounces and you need to listen to it, as it will always tell you when it wants to be washed. There is a such a variety to see and everyone is different.

As the day comes to a close, Birungi has an epiphany. Hair is a wonderful thing. Good hair is actually whatever is on your head!

Freda Chiu’s illustrations make this book loads of fun. She obviously had a lot of joy creating the different faces and different hair styles. Great to read aloud and especially for those who struggle with morning hair.

Reviewed by Jane Stephens

Age Guide 3+

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yvonne Sewankambo is a Ugandan-Canadian-Australian writer and publicist based in Sydney, Australia. She has worked on campaigns across several industries, including publishing, film, television, travel and tourism, education, and the nonprofit sector.

Having lived on three different continents (and travelled to even more), Yvonne is passionate about telling stories that celebrate identity while transcending borders.

Good Hair (illustrated by Freda Chiu) is Yvonne’s first children’s book.

Visit Yvonne Sewankambo’s website

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Freda Chiu is a Sydney-based freelance illustrator, author and educator at The University of Technology Sydney.

She is inspired by her love of children’s picture books, indie comics, horror movies and good stories. She was shortlisted for the 2022 The Children’s Book Council of Australia Award for New Illustrator and also the 2022 IBBY Australia Ena Noël Award.