Fros, Fades, and Braids: A Brief History of Black Hair in America

by Sean Qualls

From Coretta Scott King Honor illustrator Sean Qualls, artist for Questlove’s The Idea In You, comes a hip, brief history of the most well-known Black hairstyles and the famous innovators behind them, reminding us of the strength and stature of Black hair and its prominence in hair history.

Hair—that wavy, wooly, curly, and knotty stuff.

Ever since Madam CJ Walker created some of the first Black hair care products, styles like the juicy jheri curl, buzzing beehive, and the fresh fades and braids we know and love today have cemented their coily, curly, and rightful place in hair history. However, Black hair has a rich and detailed past that not many may be aware of, that is, until now.

From Coretta Scott King Honor illustrator Sean Qualls comes a vibrant, captivating, and hip, brief history of the most well-known Black hairstyles, the people who made those one-of-a-kind styles look and feel so good, and the revolutionary hair care products and movements that would influence each generation, reminding us that Black hair may change, but it will never cease to leave its mark on the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Sean Qualls is an award winning, Brooklyn-based, children’s book illustrator, artist and author. He has illustrated a number of celebrated books for children, including Giant Steps to Change The World by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis-Lee, Little Cloud and Lady Wind by Toni Morrison and her son Slade and Before John Was a Jazz Giant, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Illustration Honor. Sean also created the art for Dizzy by Jonah Winter and most recently Freedom Song (The Story of Henry “Box” Brown) by Sally Walker. His work has received two Blue Ribbon citations from the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books where he was also cited for his “serious craftsmanship” and an “original style.” Qualls has created illustrations for magazines, newspapers, and advertisements. His work has been shown in galleries in New York and across the country. Sean draws inspiration from an array of influences such as movies, television, childhood memories, aging and decaying surfaces, architecture, old buildings, nature, folk art, fairy tales, Americana, black memorabilia, outsider art, cave paintings, collectibles, African art, golden books, vintage advertisement graphics, psychology, mythology, science fiction, music, and literature. He lives in lives in Brooklyn (where you can find him DJing on occasion) with his wife, illustrator/author Selina Alko and their two children Ginger and Isaiah.

Reviews

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still have a lot of work to do to educate myself but at least I know there is always a book to pick up…

Prior to receiving this one, I did not know a whole lot about the rich history of Black hair and many of the icons and staples of the culture. Sean Qualls brings a stellar book that informs and can help start the dialogue for people who want to learn more and form a connection over this fascinating topic. Beautifully illustrated, full of knowledge, and truly engaging, Fros, Fades, and Braids is such an enjoyable book for readers of all ages.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by the publisher

This picture book sized, 64 page book is about the only history of Black hairstyles that I have seen, and my students and I have been looking for something similar for a long time! Twelve year olds are just starting to understand that the world has not always looked the way it does now, so brief fashion histories are always popular. While this is a more artistic and poetic overview of hairstyles, it will still see a lot of circulation.

Illustrated in a vibrant collage style, the pages offer short snippets of information about a variety of techniques for styling Black hair, as well as context for their use. I knew about Madame C.J. Walker and Annie Malone's hair product empires, but didn't know that inventor Garrett Morgan (who developed the traffic light) also had a hair straightening product! There are discussions about why straight hair was culturally considered "good" while curly hair wasn't, and there are short bios of Black women who were known for their straight hair, like Josephine Baker and Billie Holiday. The "Conk" hairstyle was explained, as was the importance of beauty shops in Black culture.

Moving from the beehive and bouffant styles of the 1960s, we see how the "free hair" movement encouraged Black people to embrace natural styles like the Afro. Later in the 70s and 80s, the Jheri Curl took over, and was rocked by men like Rick James and Lionel Ritchie. Locs, fades, and Braids all get their mention, as does the importance of barbershops.

This ends with an admonition to NEVER touch anyone's hair without permission, which is always good advice. The author also includes a note about the complex relationship that Black people have with their hair.

This is all great information, and beautifully presented, but it would be great if there were also a more straightforward history of Black hair that gave more historical context and was photoillustrated. Seeing period photographs gives another level of history, since the pictures also include clothing, surroundings, etc. There are great series of clothing described by the decade, and I would love to see something similar done with this topic. This is still a must purchase book for elementary and middle school libraries.

[Charles Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

FROS, FADES, and BRAIDS: A Brief History of Black Hair in America by Sean Qualls

Sean Qualls, a Brooklyn-based writer, illustrator, and artist known for his versatile work across painting, drawing, and collage, brings his distinctive talent to this succinct yet compelling exploration of Black hair in America. An honor recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in Before John Was a Jazz Giant, Qualls combines visual artistry with insightful storytelling in this accessible volume.

Fros, Fades, and Braids offers a concise but impactful overview of the cultural significance of Black hairstyles—afros, fades, braids—and their deep roots in history and identity. I devoured it in a single sitting, and its brevity belies the richness of its content. The narrative is sharp, engaging, and thoughtfully highlights how these styles symbolize resistance, pride, and cultural expression within Black communities.

Qualls’ own illustrations are a highlight—vibrant, expressive, and meticulously crafted—serving as a perfect visual complement to the text and bringing the history and cultural resonance of Black hair vividly to life.

Overall, this book is a beautifully designed, accessible resource that illuminates the importance of Black hair and its cultural significance. It is an invaluable addition to any bookshelf, offering both education and inspiration in a compelling and visually striking package.

Rating: 4 Stars
Charles Francis, 04/09/2026

[Katie (Katieeatsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads and Harper Collins for the physical early copy of Fros, Fades and Braids by Sean Qualls 🫶🏻
This book was a highly informative picture book highlighting the history of black hairdos through a timeline of progression and learning through products and stylistic approaches!
This was not only highly informative but a wonderfully illustrated picture book that brought so much excitement even my 3 year old wanted me to read it to her to see all the “princesses and princes!”
Seriously the illustrator did an absolutely stunning job! 👏🏻 💜

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb brief history full of glossy illustrated pages and stories to compliment the progression of hair style and products over time for Black people that is practical, artistic, and everything in between. I liked that it hand-selected people who wore specific kinds of hair like the jerry curl or the afro.

I couldn't have asked for a more awesome brief history and this will be purchased immediately for our HS library especially to compliment our Cosmetology program.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, very informative. One of many great book about Black hair that are coming out this season. This one is really enriched by excellent illustrations from Sean Qualls. I liked having examples of famous Black people who wore different hairstyles, but I kind of wish all of the hairstyles had examples.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give this to students writing a report about hair styles through history, or to students who want to explore different hairstyles for themselves. I liked how it pictured specific famous African Americans, sorted by how they had their hair styled. Grades 4-7

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely illustrated and very informative look at Black hair in America, tracing styles as they change.