Roots of My Hair HC

A bold, funny, and insightful graphic novel about hair, heritage, and identity.

The Roots of My Hair follows the coming-of-age journey of Rose, a mixed-race woman from Réunion Island who struggles to love her konyé ("kinky") hair in a world that tells her to tame it. As she moves to mainland France to study and later to work--experimenting with different hair-straightening techniques, visiting beauty salons, and adopting social camouflage--Rose explores her Black identity by questioning the deeper issues behind her hair: race, beauty standards, colonialism, and belonging.

With humor, honesty, and expressive illustrations, Lou Lubie's new graphic novel blends original research and fiction, not only to reveal what lies beneath the hair-care industry but also to speak to anyone who has ever felt pressure to fit in. It is a powerful reminder that identity starts at the roots.

Winner of multiple French awards, now available in English for the first time.

"The Roots of My Hair is an engrossing graphic novel about the history and marginalization of Black women's hairstyles." - Foreword (STARRED review)

"With all of the wonderful children's picture books being written about Black girls' hair, this is a welcome addition for adults." - Booklist (STARRED review)

Publishers Weekly graphic novel Summer Pick 2026