Wilma is none too happy when she awakes one day and learns that it is one of the worst days of the year for her. Picture Day! She is so not the girly girl but on this dreaded day she is forced to straighten her beautiful natural locks and wear a hideous contraption created by her dear aunt. Every year it’s the same horrible routine and it doesn’t help that the school bully makes it her business to make picture day even worse for Wilma. This year however, Wilma comes up with a plan and what a glorious one it is. That is until everything goes completely wrong! How will Wilma and her cast of friends make it out of a picture day jam? You’ll have to read and find out.
The Adventures of Wilma Wildhair: Oh How I Hate Picture Day! is told in first person through the eyes of Wilma, a very opinionated and determined third grader. Wilma seems to actually know who she is at an age when girls are still trying to figure out those things. She loves her natural hair and doesn’t mind at all that her hair is kinky and wild and according to the awesome artwork, very big. She is ok with being a tomboy of sorts and she has an idea of her own sense of style. Even with her own self-awareness she encounters the normal worries and troubles of childhood and the desire to be popular.
The idea and plot of this story was brilliant. The pacing was excellent and I felt as though I had really gone on an adventure as the title so rightfully states. The voice of Wilma though, seemed more of an adult voice. Some of the phrasing seemed to be something a mother would use when telling a story. Yet and still, I thought the story was great and I laughed at some of the characters, who were very well developed and honestly very familiar. Dr. Sanji English comes up with a genius idea and that is to incorporate a “Wimanary”. This solves the problem of some of the mature language not being understood and it actually elevates the reading experience for young people. This piece is definitely classroom ready and appropriate. It puts me in the mind of the days when teachers would read the likes of Super Fudge and Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing to their classes causing a love for escape through stories to develop. This story was loads of fun and I’m sure it will resonate with children in Wilma’s age group. I see such a bright future for this series.
Trenika Austin
AAMBC Reviewer
By far, one of the cutest books for inspiring and empowering African American girls to be proud of who they are. Bought this book for my niece for a Kindergarten graduation present and she loved it. Read the whole book on a road trip. Can't wait to get her the sequel.
I purchased this book and could not put it down for wanting to know how Wilma was going to handle the many dilemmas she would face on picture day! This book is an enjoyable read for all children especially for young girls of color. Wilma learned many lessons on picture day you'll have to purchase the book to find out what those lessons were. Wilma Wildhair is the first in a series and I can't wait to read the next installment. Wilma's spunky and witty view on day to day life is both funny and entertaining.
This is a great book. I highly recommend it for little girls and boys. Parents may just get a kick out of reading it as well. I purchased a copy for our tween and she didn't put it down until she was finished, that says a lot in this age of mobile devices. Great Job Dr. English👍 We look forward to more great reads:)
