Hair Love
Zuri wants a specific hairstyle, and her dad, who is new to hair care, tackles the task with help from a tablet. It is a funny and moving story about family, identity, and the quiet ways mothers support their children.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry is estimated to take about 6 minutes to read aloud (445 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 6 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 445Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
The humor comes from the visual of a dad working through a tutorial with intense focus. It’s a relatable, sweet look at the bond between a father and daughter.
This works well for young children who enjoy visual humor and stories about everyday family life. The ending provides a gentle, emotional shift that reframes the entire experience.
Themes
- hair
- fathers and daughters
- family
- perseverance
- Black hair
Books like Hair Love
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Last Stop on Market Streetabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Familyabout 7.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Sulweabout 9.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Peter's Chairabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Amazing Graceabout 8 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Hair Love aloud?
About 6 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 445. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Hair Love actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Hair Love survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise Hair Love?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Hair Love on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Hair Love cover?
We tag it with hair, fathers and daughters, family, perseverance and Black hair. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
