Don’t Touch My Hair!

Don't Touch My Hair!
Written & Illustrated by Sharee Miller
Age Level: 4-8 Years
Published November 6, 2018

Give me some space, please.

My son was born with a full head of hair. I’m not talking about fine, silky baby hair. I’m talking about thick, borderline coarse hair that you’d expect to find on an adult. People can't resist sinking their hands into it and he’s a great sport. But now, thanks to this book, he knows that he has the right to set boundaries.  

Aria has a fabulous head of hair, and she is proud of it. The problem is, everyone else loves her hair too and they are always touching it without asking. Colorful and imaginative illustrations show the lengths that Aria goes to in order to avoid reaching hands. My kids’ favorite part is when she embarks on a multi-page journey for personal space that takes her everywhere from underwater to another planet, warding off admiring mermaids and curious aliens along the way.

“I try my best to ignore the attention.
But as a hand sinks into my hair…
I decide I can’t take it anymore.”

Realizing she can’t escape unsolicited touches, Aria returns home. She firmly and clearly establishes boundaries with other people, insisting that nobody touches her hair without asking for permission. From then on, people are respectful and Aria is able to carry on happily without worrying about others invading her space.

This book is a glorious celebration of natural hair, as well as a fantastic message book about the importance of personal space. I love that children are given a dual lesson. They are empowered to stop unwanted touching, and are also taught to ask before touching others; they are encouraged to say “no,” and are also prepared to hear “no” too. I’m proud of my son for telling people not to touch his hair. Though I wish he would stop telling ME to restrain myself!