Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship
by Irene Latham (author), Charles Waters (author), Sean Qualls (illustrator), Selina Alko (illustrator)
I had forgotten I read the poetry collection, Can I Touch Your Hair? years ago, therefore, it felt like reading it for the first time with this recent reading. This is a unique treat as current events and my new experiences change how I relate to things. It is an interesting format, that must have been a fresh idea that unfortunately is still needed today as much was not learned in between. The images are not necessarily my favorite, but at times they were. They are an interesting creation that sets the tone and emotion. They help keep a serious subject lighter without taking away from the importance of them.
The back and forthness of the poems is fun but it is less a conversation than each character talking about their shared experiences. Of course as one child is a caucasian girl and the other an african american boy, they would seem to not have much in common, but they do. They both have feelings about family, shoes, friends, problems with others assuming things about them. They both must deal with punishments and are not able to express themselves. The subjects do range from buying new shoes to racism, but they are handled well and at a younger and an approachable level.
Not only is this a good book to introduce the subjects presented, but it is also a fun way to introduce the idea of poetry being used for any subject. It shows poetry can be fun, thoughtful and does not have to rhyme. Themes are relatable, even if you have not had all of them personally. While it might be a hard large group read, it would be a good collection to have in ones classroom for Poetry and Black History month, but is good all year round. And if you are reading with a solo child, it is a good way to add your own experiences to the conversation.
