Braided Roots

by Pasha Westbrook, Madelyn Goodnight (illustrator)

Father braids my hair, just like his,
scented of coconut oil, the familiar tug of fingers on my scalp,
love in every twist...

As a young girl’s father lovingly yet painstakingly braids her hair, he weaves a story about the strength and resilience of their ancestors, Freedmen who walked the Trail of Tears from Mississippi to Oklahoma.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Indigenous, History, Childrens, Juvenile, Native American

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been several recent picture books celebrating and exploring the care and history of hair, particularly for people of color. Several years ago, one of these, CROWN: AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT, won so many awards that there was barely room for all the seals on the cover!
In many of these the focus is on hair, its care, and the ways in which what has culturally been seen as "other" hair can instead carry your identity and reasons for pride and celebration of personal history.

In the case of BRAIDED ROOTS, I can imagine a submission letter or pitch that mentioned any of the recent hair-topic picture books for tone of joyful pride and connection, but offering several key distinctions. First, the girl and her hair-braiding father are "mixed", harking back to their descendence from a Black enslaved woman with a White father and other ancestors along the way that blended in two Native identities. As noted in that earlier sentence, it is Dad who is doing the braiding and storytelling, similar to a few other picture books, but distinct in his reservation-born identity and his intentional and literal insistence that the braid itself carries strength, heritage, identity, and a promise. (You can do anything!) Illustration throughout draws on saturated colors of nature, and incorporates suggestions of braiding in the bank of the waters, ribbons of DNA, and more. Sprawling scenes and close-ups are equally balanced with a dream-forward focus and an immediacy and intimacy that call on readers to lean in and learn.

This highly specific tale with its braid story, both literal and metaphoric, allows us to walk along, to sit and listen, to braid the history of these characters into our own lives. After reading, with a step back and a moment of reflection, I felt invited to recall and relive those moments when our own family (Dad, Mom, Grandparent, etc.) in which a regular practice helped us learn more about ourselves.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing from her own childhood experiences, the author describes how her father gently braids her hair while relating stories of their ancestors' courage and resilience during various trying times. There are connections between the braid he is weaving and the braids others who came before them wore. As he points out how their hair is their history, his daughter compares this to the woven strands of DNA. The empowering message that she can change the world sticks with her--and it will also inspire others like this girl. The warm, poetic text is accompanied by the equally warm and dreamlike illustrations created through traditional and digital techniques. Add this picture book [3.5 for me!] to a collection about cultural identity, family heritage, or the importance of hair.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book in theme and digitally created illustrations. Written in a tribute to both her father and her Choctaw/Chickasaw/Black heritage, both the text and illustrations celebrate a family’s connections through braids as well as DNA! References to the Trail of Tears and enslavement are brief but her connection to those events is elaborated on in her author’s note. Picture books and novels celebrating Black hair have been published in notable numbers recently but this one adds indigenous people groups to that group and does so in an outstanding way. Target audience is likely ages 4-10.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical 4-6 lines/brief sentences per page. A Native American father lovingly braids the hair of his daughter and reminds her of their roots, history, and family. Appreciated the author's note that this book is about her dad, who taught her the power of hair and showed her how hair is a lifeline to family (past/present). Tribute to her Black, Chickasaw, and Choctaw families, and her ancestors who walked the Trail of Tears. Illustrations are pretty - the people are animated realistic (like Rock Your Mocs illustrators because it's the same illustrator). Incorporates people, nature, past, and present. Good for older kids or for one-on-one reading for more reflection and time to discuss.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenderly written story that affirms this young girl's heritage. She is descended from a Choctaw/Chickasaw/Black heritage. Her father braids her hair and they talk about strength and history. The illustrations suppor the story and add details to the ancestry links. Don't miss the Author's Note at the end.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a young girl's father braids her hair, she reflects on the importance of that braid, how her ancestors were part of the trail of tears and moved from their traditional lands to Oklahoma.

What a beautiful story. This girl knows and understands what her family has gone through, and she is brave and proud. I loved the illustrations. The characters are Chickasaw and Choctaw Freedmen.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Indian Youth Literature Honor, 2026

A beautiful celebration of hair, father-daughter bonds and family history, even the painful pieces. The artwork is stunning and beautifully highlights the little girl's biracial ancestry and the joy she takes in time with her father.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family history is shared between a father and daughter as the daily ritual of the braiding of the young girl's hair by her father is done. An unbreakable bond is established as roots are established.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about what braiding her hair means to a girl.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and beautiful story of family, traditions and history.

#FirsttoCheckOut

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 277

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
A father lovingly braids his daughter's hair as he talks about family (roots) and the significance of having long braided hair for their culture.

[Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to provide a mirror for some young readers and window for other. Helping children learn history of ancestors while a dad loving does his daughters hair.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

A father braids his daughters hair while talking about the strength of togetherness and family history.

[Kate McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

2026 YMA American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book honor

[Dr. Julie Wasmund Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad and daughter braid stories of Chickasaw and Choctaw heritage and family in this heartfelt picture book. Reminiscent of the picture books Hair Love and Hair Twins.