Don’t Touch My Hair!

An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair.

It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she’s chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens . . . until, finally, Aria has had enough!

Author-illustrator Sharee Miller takes the tradition of appreciation of black hair to a new, fresh, level as she doesn’t seek to convince or remind young readers that their curls are beautiful — she simply acknowledges black beauty while telling a fun, imaginative story.

• Praise for Don't Touch My Hair:An ALA Children's Notable Book
  * "[Sharee] Miller tells it like it is. Miller's lighthearted touch effectively delivers a serious, necessary message about respecting boundaries."
  Kirkus Reviews, starred review
• * "Frank, funny, and revelatory."
  Publishers Weekly, starred review
• "Aria is a character with a healthy self-image who demonstrates courage and grace in communicating with others."
  Booklist
• "A good exploration of personal boundaries and respect in general."
  BCCB
• "Sharee Miller's Don't Touch My Hair! is a right-on-time narrative showcasing the power kids--and all people--have to demand their voices be heard."
  Shelf Awareness
• Praise for Princess Hair: * "After decades of white princesses' domination of American fairytales, Miller expands the vision of what princess hair can look like to black girls.... A sweet and joyful affirmation of the truth that 'NAPPY princesses are HAPPY princesses.'"
  Kirkus Reviews, starred review
• "This is the perfect book for young girls, but especially girls who might not be happy with their hair because it's different from the hair that they see on others."
  The Huffington Post
• "Miller offers a joyful celebration of the diversity of Black girlhood and Black girls' hair."
  The Bulletin
• "Sharee Miller’s winning story ultimately teaches a valuable lesson about personal boundaries. Aria is a young Black girl with bouncy curls. Everywhere she goes, folks want to touch her hair. Her imagination carries her to distant lands, even ones with dragons, so she can avoid the hands that always want to touch her hair without asking. Colorful illustrations add drama to this wonderful story about standing up for yourself when others go too far."
  Reader's Digest