Puffy: People Whose Hair Defies Gravity - Paperback

by Aya de León (Author)

Puffy: people whose hair defies gravity is a children's book of text and photographs featuring kids, teens, adults, and families with naturally puffy hair. Writer/performer/educator Aya de Le n put out a call for photos. Individuals and families from far and wide submitted pictures that reflect the pride, wonder, and delight that so many people feel in having hair that defies gravity. We live in a world that works to subdue the natural exuberance of children in a myriad of ways, and this includes attempts to subdue their hair. The Puffy Hair Project is a celebration of the authentic, untamed self as expressed through our hair. The selection of photos primarily reflects people of the African diaspora, and it includes people of Asian, Latina/o, Arab, and Jewish heritage, as well. It is designed to provide puffy-haired kids with positive images, and to provide all of us with an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our world. The text is inspired by the simple yet memorable style of Dr. Seuss: "Puffy here. Puffy there. Yay I love my puffy hair." REVIEWS "This is a great book for children and their friends of all ages. It has a classic form, lyrical rhythms, and wonderful photographs that reflect a great variety of the puffy-haired. A much-needed addition to any and all libraries." -Paci Hammond, elementary school librarian, Oakland, CA

Author Biography

Children's book author Aya de León is a writer/performer for adults working in poetry, fiction, and hip hop theater. Her work has received acclaim in the Village Voice, Washington Post, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, American Theatre Magazine, and has been featured on Def Poetry, in Essence Magazine, and various anthologies and journals. She is currently working on a sexy feminist heist novel. Aya is the Director of June Jordan's Poetry for the People program, teaching poetry, spoken word, and hip hop at UC Berkeley. You can find her at http: //ayadeleon.wordpress.com or on twitter @ayadeleon. You can find more info on this project at http: //puffyhairproject.wordpress.com.