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Mophead #1
Mophead
An inspirational graphic memoir of growing up Pasifika in New Zealand, written and illustrated by our fast-talking Poet Laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh.
At school, Selina is teased for her big, frizzy hair. Kids call her ‘mophead’. She ties her hair up this way and that way and tries to fit in. Until one day – Sam Hunt plays a role – Selina gives up the game. She decides to let her hair out, to embrace her difference, to be WILD!
Selina takes us through special moments in her extraordinary life. She becomes one of the first Pasifika women to hold a PhD. She reads for the Queen of England and Samoan royalty. She meets Barack Obama. And then she is named the New Zealand Poet Laureate. She picks up her special tokotoko, and notices something. It has wild hair coming out the end. It looks like a mop. A kid on the Waiheke ferry teases her about it. So she tells him a story . . .
This is an inspirational graphic memoir, full of wry humour, that will appeal to young readers and adults alike. Illustrated with wit and verve by the author – NZ’s bestselling Poet Laureate – Mophead tells the true story of a New Zealand woman realising how her difference can make a difference.
At school, Selina is teased for her big, frizzy hair. Kids call her ‘mophead’. She ties her hair up this way and that way and tries to fit in. Until one day – Sam Hunt plays a role – Selina gives up the game. She decides to let her hair out, to embrace her difference, to be WILD!
Selina takes us through special moments in her extraordinary life. She becomes one of the first Pasifika women to hold a PhD. She reads for the Queen of England and Samoan royalty. She meets Barack Obama. And then she is named the New Zealand Poet Laureate. She picks up her special tokotoko, and notices something. It has wild hair coming out the end. It looks like a mop. A kid on the Waiheke ferry teases her about it. So she tells him a story . . .
This is an inspirational graphic memoir, full of wry humour, that will appeal to young readers and adults alike. Illustrated with wit and verve by the author – NZ’s bestselling Poet Laureate – Mophead tells the true story of a New Zealand woman realising how her difference can make a difference.
84 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2019
1 person is currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Selina Tusitala Marsh
17 books20 followersDr Selina Tusitala Marsh is of Samoan, Tuvaluan, English, Scottish and French descent. She was the first Pacific Islander to graduate with a PhD in English from The University of Auckland and is now Associate Professor in the English Department, specialising in Pasifika literature. Her first collection, the bestselling Fast Talking PI, won the NZSA Jessie Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry in 2010. She has published two additional collections, Dark Sparring (2013) and Tightrope (2017). Marsh represented Tuvalu at the London Olympics Poetry Parnassus event in 2012; her work has been translated into multiple languages and has appeared in numerous forms live in schools, museums, parks, billboards, print and online literary journals. As Commonwealth Poet (2016), she composed and performed for the Queen at Westminster Abbey. She became New Zealand’s Poet Laureate in 2017 and in 2019 was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to poetry, literature and the Pacific community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 15, 2021
Ms Tusitala Marsh won the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.
Ms Tusitala Marsh was then interviewed on NZ light news show The Project & after hearing what Mophead was about, I knew I had to read this book.
Although never called a name like Mophead I certainly was teased about my unmanageable mop of hair. It was frizzy and often knotted at a time when most teens wanted straight,silky, long hair. My mother's suggestion (always) was to cut it short, but I stubbornly longed for what I was never going to have.
Better hairdressers and hair products have helped. I now love my curls, and yes I now keep my hair short!
Children can be very unkind and the young Selina was certainly called some awful racist names which brought me to tears - in our town's library. Desperate to conform, she ties her hair up;
while having a vibrant fantasy life at home.
All this changed when Kiwi poet Sam Hunt gave a talk at her school. Sam Hunt is described on his Wikipedia page as having iconic status.
Inspired by the unconventional poet's complete lack of interest in what people thought of him, Selina stopped conforming too - with very positive results.
The ending had me laughing out loud!
Joyous, happy, vibrant with a strong be true to yourself message.
And if even one bully reads this book and realises how much words can hurt...
Awesome.
Ms Tusitala Marsh was then interviewed on NZ light news show The Project & after hearing what Mophead was about, I knew I had to read this book.
Although never called a name like Mophead I certainly was teased about my unmanageable mop of hair. It was frizzy and often knotted at a time when most teens wanted straight,silky, long hair. My mother's suggestion (always) was to cut it short, but I stubbornly longed for what I was never going to have.
Better hairdressers and hair products have helped. I now love my curls, and yes I now keep my hair short!
Children can be very unkind and the young Selina was certainly called some awful racist names which brought me to tears - in our town's library. Desperate to conform, she ties her hair up;
while having a vibrant fantasy life at home.
All this changed when Kiwi poet Sam Hunt gave a talk at her school. Sam Hunt is described on his Wikipedia page as having iconic status.
"...with long hair curling wildly above a well-worn face"
Inspired by the unconventional poet's complete lack of interest in what people thought of him, Selina stopped conforming too - with very positive results.
The ending had me laughing out loud!
Joyous, happy, vibrant with a strong be true to yourself message.
And if even one bully reads this book and realises how much words can hurt...
Awesome.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
December 17, 2020
Loved this amazing picture book by one of NZ’s most outstanding Pasifika poets. It’s about standing out, fitting in, accepting and celebrating diversity, and finding strength in your own uniqueness. I thought it was excellent, a great way to button off #readharder2020
July 16, 2020
I had not heard of this author before – though probably should have. I was alerted to this book by a New Zealand (and Goodreads) friend, and had to buy a copy straight away. I loved the story-line and the sentiments, and the graphics were amazing. I learned that NZ poet laureates are given a tokotoko – a carved walking stick – and that New Zealand (and the South Pacific) has many more important literary figures than I had ever thought. Lots more to be added to my ever growing to-be-read pile – I especially want to read more by this author.
Thank you, Lynn.
Thank you, Lynn.
March 14, 2020
This book as been calling to me for some time now! I keep seeing it in shops and I have finally bought it for our library.
What a gorgeous tale about being brave enough to be yourself... and all a true story too!!
And I love the simple, clean, striking illustrations.
What a gorgeous tale about being brave enough to be yourself... and all a true story too!!
And I love the simple, clean, striking illustrations.
June 4, 2020
Dedicated "for those who stick out", this is a brilliant recollection of how frustrated yet happy we can be with our own individual appearance: "we're not made to be the same." It deals with bullying (name calling), belonging, conformity, fitting in, influencers, and role models.
I chuckled and smiled as I read the words and viewed the images in a 10 minute sitting. I loved the illustration explaining how she got her hair, her list of her differences, the single free strand of hair when she asks "could I do that?" (be wild and be a writer) and the final image using the tokotoko. The fact that her tokotoko pays homage to the fue and that she "recognised an old friend" reinforces the idea that everyone eventually finds their niche and success: "It's my job...I'm a poet."
Is it just me? I kind of read the final line which repeats the opening line (as if it is a regenerating cycle) "When I was 10" as a little sad. Mostly because it reflects the notion that there will always be those ready to bully people for their differences and others ready to reduce misunderstanding through story.
I chuckled and smiled as I read the words and viewed the images in a 10 minute sitting. I loved the illustration explaining how she got her hair, her list of her differences, the single free strand of hair when she asks "could I do that?" (be wild and be a writer) and the final image using the tokotoko. The fact that her tokotoko pays homage to the fue and that she "recognised an old friend" reinforces the idea that everyone eventually finds their niche and success: "It's my job...I'm a poet."
Is it just me? I kind of read the final line which repeats the opening line (as if it is a regenerating cycle) "When I was 10" as a little sad. Mostly because it reflects the notion that there will always be those ready to bully people for their differences and others ready to reduce misunderstanding through story.
October 23, 2019
What a mea matagofie (fantastic) book! I could hear Selina’s voice as I read it, and am looking forward to sharing it with my students. I think this is an essential purchase for every New Zealand school library as well.
September 22, 2019
Got to be my book of the year, I think. As a bookseller who divides my time between a kids specialist shop and the main shop, this is going to be a Christmas handsell for literally everyone.
December 26, 2019
Ok it’s a kids book but it is a brilliant one about wild hair (so fully relatable) and listing the works of other wild women (Eg bell hooks and Audre).
June 16, 2020
Great story and loved the artwork. Still pondering the 'bucket of spiders' ...
June 30, 2020
A graphic novel about hair. But also about being different; not appearing white/Pākeha/Palagi; embracing who you are, and finding role models. I read it about 6 months after it was published, just as the Black Lives Matter movement has made news (well, again). The book touches briefly, lightly (but still sadly) on racism, but rejoices in being positively PI (Pacific Island) and being yourself.
Selina's hair is wild, and she is teased at school and called Mophead. She tries to tame it, but after poet Sam Hunt visits her school she embraces wild hair and wild words, becoming Poet Laureate, gaining her PhD, and performing poetry.
The sparse, black and red illustrations are fun and complementary to the short, sharp text. This would be a great addition to a school library, and a book that could be read and discussed with classes and groups of children from around 8 years upwards, and with young teens.
Selina's hair is wild, and she is teased at school and called Mophead. She tries to tame it, but after poet Sam Hunt visits her school she embraces wild hair and wild words, becoming Poet Laureate, gaining her PhD, and performing poetry.
The sparse, black and red illustrations are fun and complementary to the short, sharp text. This would be a great addition to a school library, and a book that could be read and discussed with classes and groups of children from around 8 years upwards, and with young teens.
December 31, 2019
Gorgeous, inspiring, staunch cool Kiwi wahine toa.
April 9, 2020
I loved this, and could hear the author's voice slowing me down and making me appreciate it as I read it.
February 9, 2022
Great book; as someone who is Samoan and has at times frizzy and unmanageable hair, it is excellent to have some representation and show that you are allowed to be yourself, in any shape or form. The fact that it is also coming from personal experience makes it all the bit better.
June 14, 2020
A fantastic sophisticated picture book celebrating difference and being true to yourself.
June 30, 2024
5★: UNEXPECTED BONUS OF PACIFIC ISLANDER CULTURAL LEARNING ♥ I read this to my daughter as she was eating her breakfast. A great, true example of blazing one’s own path, taking the high road, and how our differences can make a difference.
September 12, 2020
This is a great story to help kids understand that we are all different and have our own strengths (so don't be mean and call people names!) Loved the super cute illustrations.
December 21, 2020
I had a sneaky read of this before wrapping it up for my niece for Christmas. Such a great book, made me cry. I will 100% be buying this and the sequel for my own kids too.
October 24, 2020
Completely, totally, absolutely in love.
This is basically me. But I'm not tall. Or skinny. And I've cut most of my hair off.
I never fit in at school though. I'm part Cook Island Maori (read: Rarotongan and Aitutakian) and part "NZ European" whatever that is (read: Irish). Which means I got big curly hair from both sides. I also have a fantastic hairdresser that rolls with it.
ANYWAY - this book is the BEST. READ IT AND SHARE IT.
This is basically me. But I'm not tall. Or skinny. And I've cut most of my hair off.
I never fit in at school though. I'm part Cook Island Maori (read: Rarotongan and Aitutakian) and part "NZ European" whatever that is (read: Irish). Which means I got big curly hair from both sides. I also have a fantastic hairdresser that rolls with it.
ANYWAY - this book is the BEST. READ IT AND SHARE IT.
November 27, 2020
I sat down and read this in one sitting at the library, having found it on a display shelf in the New Zealand and Pacific section. The author, whose poetry I enjoy, has illustrated the book herself and it is great.
September 18, 2020
This is such a beautiful book that as a New Zealander I loved seeing! Such a heartwarming message that was written so beautifully. Definitely a book I’ll keep on my shelves and treasure forever - 5 stars for sure!
January 19, 2023
Oh I loved this book, after reading it I am definitely going to purchase a copy and add it to my collection. This is a delightful children's book, and talks about the author's journey of growing up afakasi and being different. Although this is a children's book, I feel the message is also applicable to adults as well. Beautiful message and gorgeous illustrations.
August 27, 2020
This book is STUNNING! It's such an important story for young readers - it embraces different cultures, and being different. I wish I had read this when I was a young girl. I love hearing from a Pasifika voice, especially Marsh who has accomplished so much in her life.
Beautiful story.
Beautiful story.
November 5, 2019
A lovely story about accepting and valuing yourself the way you are.
November 19, 2019
What a sweet book! I had the privilege of being taught by Selina at University, and this book summarises perfectly her character and her successes.
April 14, 2020
Other people are judgy. So you don't need to judge yourself as well.
June 28, 2020
Great book! I really enjoyed reading through this and it's such a lovely story about accepting yourself and others around you will accept you too.
April 29, 2021
Embrace your wild hair. I am trying to tell this to my Afakasi 13 year old niece, who wants to straighten her hair every week...
August 17, 2022
This wonderful graphic autobiography of the celebrated New Zealand Pacific Island Poet Laureate is dedicated "for those who stick out" - and Selina Tusitala Marsh shows her writing and illustrating skills well in the service of lifting up all children who "stick out" by virtue of their hair, their height, or their desire to express themselves in their own unique way even when it is frowned upon by schoolmates, teachers, strangers, or most of the rest of the world.
Marsh is generous in acknowledging the influences on her journey, through child-focused details; when she was about 14-16 years old, a visiting poet (Sam Hunt) came to her school, making a dramatic impression on all the students. Marsh shows - through a simple graphic detail of a checklist in the hands of her lean, cheerful, stylishly disheveled self - how this white male poet changed her mind about how to deal with the various pressures to constrain herself.
In my mind, this is so powerful; to demonstrate to young readers that even one singular event can trigger a change in thoughts, thereby influencing your life and providing scaffolding for you to pursue a path that resonates with you. And yet, that poet is far less significant than the many other women poets she goes on to study with her growing self-confidence, positive view of her identity, and strong dedication to her voice and to developing her skills, training, and knowledge.
I love the spare illustrations in b&w with occasional red or pink details - they *also* feel empowering in that they are simple, uncluttered, expressive, and eloquently convey the point of the story. I can imagine a broad range of readers feeling they, too, could create a graphic autobiography - so teachers may want to use this to introduce a writing/drawing project.
Finally, the illustrations could easily appeal to readers from age 4 up to 18 or older, which means this wonderful story is available to all ages. Libraries should have one copy shelved in the children's area and another in the teens'.
Marsh is generous in acknowledging the influences on her journey, through child-focused details; when she was about 14-16 years old, a visiting poet (Sam Hunt) came to her school, making a dramatic impression on all the students. Marsh shows - through a simple graphic detail of a checklist in the hands of her lean, cheerful, stylishly disheveled self - how this white male poet changed her mind about how to deal with the various pressures to constrain herself.
In my mind, this is so powerful; to demonstrate to young readers that even one singular event can trigger a change in thoughts, thereby influencing your life and providing scaffolding for you to pursue a path that resonates with you. And yet, that poet is far less significant than the many other women poets she goes on to study with her growing self-confidence, positive view of her identity, and strong dedication to her voice and to developing her skills, training, and knowledge.
I love the spare illustrations in b&w with occasional red or pink details - they *also* feel empowering in that they are simple, uncluttered, expressive, and eloquently convey the point of the story. I can imagine a broad range of readers feeling they, too, could create a graphic autobiography - so teachers may want to use this to introduce a writing/drawing project.
Finally, the illustrations could easily appeal to readers from age 4 up to 18 or older, which means this wonderful story is available to all ages. Libraries should have one copy shelved in the children's area and another in the teens'.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2022
“Mophead” made me think about the need to see yourself in a positive light even when others are trying to put you down. The book is a short story about a New Zealand girl with big hair. “It wouldn’t fit under hats or caps and it would break cute bows and clips.” She was teased and bullied by the kids at her school but she never let them get the better of her. Later in life she became a successful writer and poet but even when meeting the Queen of England, Barack Obama and becoming New Zealand Poet Laureate she refused to tie down or cut her hair. She liked it to be wild. She could have been put off by the kids teasing her and calling her names but she persevered and got her PHD in poetry. None of that would be possible if she let the other kids get her down. Body shaming is a big problem in society. You are told you have to dress or look a certain way through social media or kids at school. As Emma Stone says “:Too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall, too anything.' There's a sense that we're all 'too' something, and we're all not enough. This is life. Our bodies change. Our minds change. Our hearts change.” I agree with Emma Stone and the author, Selina Tusitata Marsh. This is about how it doesn't matter what you look like for the outside but the inside that counts and if you want big hair you can wear big hair.
read-comix
May 23, 2023Selina is a Pasifika poet that was bullied as a kid for her big hair. Through this poem, she began to embrace her wild hair. My favorite part of the book was seeing all that she has accomplished, and with her wild hair as her inspiration. I loved the illustrations and thought they were a lot of fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews