Bintou wants braids. Long, pretty braids, woven with gold coins and seashells, just like her older sister and the other women in her family. But she is too young for braids. Instead, all she has are four little tufts of hair; all she ever gets are cornrows. However, when Bintou saves the lives of her two young cousins and is offered a reward of her choosing, Bintou discovers that true beauty comes in many different forms. Rich, earthy illustrations and a heartwarming story capture the spirit of a West African village in this wise tale about a girl who learns she's perfect just the way she is.

Meet Sylviane A. Diouf, author of Bintou's Braids.

Also perfect for Black History Month Celebrations:

Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa
by Uzo Unobagha, illustrated by Julia Cairns
A 2001 ALA Noteable Children's Book
"Inspired by Mother Goose and Unobagha's own Nigerian heritage, the playful verses...[are] great for reading aloud..."—Booklist

Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence
by John Duggleby
"...a visually striking, well-researched biography."—Horn Book