With permission of Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. announced his Happy To Be Here Live Tour.Produced by Live Nation, the 7-city tour kicks off on September 15 at Crest Theatre in Sacramento making stops across the U.S.

This beautiful picture book will surely make any reader, young or old, happy to be nappy-and anyone who raved or ranted over Carolivia Herron and illustrator Joe Cepeda's Nappy Hair will welcome this joyful, celebratory book. Raschka's bold paint strokes on a color wash background are strikingly original-a perfect match for the exuberant text. In bell hooks's first venture into children's books, she wisely teams up with Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Chris Raschka ( Yo! Yes?, Mysterious Thelonious). Going still deeper is the much-needed message encouraging girls to love and accept themselves (and others) just the way they are. The rituals implied in the book are rooted in the traditions of hooks's own childhood, when 'doing' hair was just as much an excuse for girls to laugh and tell stories and just be together. hair! 'Hair for hands to touch and play! Hair to take the gloom away.' This rhythmic read-aloud is, on the surface, all about hair: nappy, plaited, long, short, natural, twisted, 'soft like cotton, flower petal billowy soft, full of frizz and fuzz.' Comb through the surface and find a celebration of childhood and girls and the freedom to express individuality. Happy to be nappyHappy with hair all short and strong.Happy with locks that twist and curl.Just all girl happyHappy to. Renowned feminist and social critic bell hooks takes on.

Happy to be nappy by bell hooks