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12.
May
2017.
Hope's Braids-new book helps teachers & parents start a conversation on bullying

ADVANCE INFORMATION SHEET

Daddy Do My Hair? Hope's Braids

By Tola Okogwu

"There is something wrong with my big, frizzy mop. The children call me ginger and names like carrot top!"This isthebook that will help parents and teachers open up the conversation on bullying.

 

If we can start a conversation with children about bullying on a pre-school and Early Years level, and stress the importance of having ‘downtime' to be able to confide in our Father, Mother, Auntie, Uncle or Guardian from a young age, surely that can only be a positive step towards beating bullying in later years?

 

When Hope comes home upset about what the children at school have been saying about her hair, it's up to her Daddy to help her feel safe. Armed with his trusty hairbrush and the power of a braid, will it be enough to make her feel good again? This is the second book in the highly successful 'Daddy Do My Hair' series. It is an insightful and poignant tale of bullying and identity written in rhyming prose by Tola Okogwu, coupled with beautiful illustrations from Rahima Begum. Hope's Braids is an essential read for young children - plus parents, teachers and carers.

 

The first book in the children's picture book series, Daddy Do My Hair? Beth's Twists, got the seal of approval from celebrities, parents, teachers and the highly respected Book Trust (http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/35457): "Softly rhyming text and glowing, illustrations in this calm, gentle book celebrate an apparently insignificant domestic ritual, which means everything to this father and daughter as they make time for each other."

 

[image]The second book in the series, Daddy Do My Hair? Hope's Braids, is due for release in time for Father's Day 2017, and tackles another polemic subject - school bullying - reinforcing the power of the family unit, the important role of fathers, and the need for greater respect and acceptance of diversity within our society from an early age.

 

The book release is timely and topical with ITV's This Morning pledging to share a ‘Be Kind' message as part of an anti-bullying campaign (pledge your support here:http://www.itv.com/thismorning/hot-topics/pledge-to-share-our-anti-bullying-message). According to the Anti Bullying Alliance: "The only way to stop bullying is to acknowledge that it happens and create a talking culture in your home and school where any hurtful behaviour is quickly brought out in the open, discussed and dealt with". The aim of Hope's Braids is that after it is read at home or in school, there will be an opportunity for children to feel safe enough to talk about any bullying behaviour that they have experienced.

 

"This book is so gorgeous - I love it! Plus, a guy doing his daughter's natural hair? That's sexy."

--Thandie Newton - Actress

 

About the Author

Tola Okogwu is a British blogger and author of the ‘Daddy Do My Hair?' book series for children. Tola holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism and has written for several beauty publications including Black Beauty and Hair Magazine. Through her books and wider writing, she constantly seeks to create ‘mirrors and windows', allowing everyone the opportunity to read books that are reflective of their own experiences, backgrounds and cultures.

 

Tola is passionate about parenthood, the role of fathers and strongly believes that resources for parents should be freely and widely available. An avid reader, Tola enjoys spending time with her family and friends around her home in Kent where she lives with her husband and daughter.

 

The 'Daddy Do My Hair?' series was inspired by the relationship between her husband and daughter and is designed to challenge some of the perceptions and preconceptions around race, gender roles within parenting, bullying, friendships, relationships and grief.

 

ESSENTIAL DETAILS

Title:Daddy Do My Hair? Hope's Braids

Author:Tola Okogwu

[image]Genre:Children (interest level 3+, reading level 5+)

Publisher:Florence Elizabeth Publishing

Publication date:2ndMay 2017

Availability:Paperback, International distribution

ISBN:9780995486911

Price: £6.99

Website:https://daddydomyhair.com/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/daddy_do_hair

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/daddydomyhair/

Press folder:http://bit.ly/2aSEEmG

Online profile:http://www.literallypr.com/public_relations/file/Tola-Okogwu---Hopes-Braids.php

 

 

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