My

Special

Hair

This book belongs to

Every child should own a hundred books by the age of five. To that end, Book Dash gathers creative professionals who volunteer to create new, African storybooks that anyone can freely translate and distribute. To find out more, and to download beautiful, print-ready books, visit bookdash.org.

My Special Hair
Illustrated by Jess Jardim-Wedepohl
Written by Candice Dingwall
Designed by Renate van Rensburg
Edited by Kelly Norwood-Young
with the help of the Book Dash participants in Johannesburg on 25 February 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-928377-35-1
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Candice Dingwall	   Jess Jardim-Wedepohl	    Renate van Rensburg

I have a very special head,
a special head of hair.
My special hair is quite unique.
My special hair is rare.

It grows not just on any head,
but mine,
my own,
just me!
My special hair does special things –
it’s magic hair, you see.

In summer when the sun is hot,
with no shade anywhere,
I do not sweat, I do not burn.
I grow a hat of hair.

In winter when my nose turns red,
and when the
cold
wind
blows,
my special hair grows very long.
I’m wrapped from top to toes.

In spring when all the birds come out,
and each one builds a nest,
my head is full of songs because
my special hair is best.

In autumn when the leaves fall down,
no flowers to be found,
my special head begins to bloom
bright blossoms all around.

My special hair is stiff and strong.
It does not hang or drape.
I never look the same because
my hair can change its shape.

My special hair is full of curls.
It’s twisted,
tangled,
tough.
My special hair grows hairy hands –
a place to store my stuff.

My special hair grows special wings –
so smooth,
so soft,
so light.
They float around my face,
until my hair and I take flight.

My special hair is colourful,
a rainbow all in one!
It brightens up the darkest day.
My hair is full of fun.

My special hair is full of love.
With love my head is crowned.
It grows
and grows
and grows
until I spread it all around.

So many types of special heads,
so many types of hair.
Be proud of what you have on top,
your magic grows up there!