Esau McCaulley shows that he can write for the academy, Christian laypeople, and now children as well. This is a story that I will be reading to my daughter and in the classroom!

Absolutely wonderful! What a beautiful tale that incorporates two hugely important topics - faith and hair. I SO enjoyed this book and have recommended it to so many families in my church and faith life.

I am on the lookout much of the time for more culturally diverse books in the Christian Publishing Market that is geared toward kids and I believe Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit fits that bill. Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley tells the story of Josey Johnson, a young girl, who is preparing for her Church’s Pentecost Sunday Service. Josey’s Dad takes Josey to get her hair done and to get a red dress. As Josey is at the hair dresser, her father starts noticing that something is bothering her. Josey’s father asks her what is wrong and she starts talking about how she looks different from others. Josey’s Dad explains how God created EVERYONE uniquely and differently and that we are created in His Image. After talking with her Dad, Josey is happy with the way God created her.

I love Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley and how Biblically sound it is. I love how it sticks close to the Word of God about how we are created. I love Josey’s conversation with her Dad and how it encouraged her. I love how the book talked about Pentecost and believe it could start some great conversations within your family about Pentecost. I love the pictures that Ms. Jackson created and how it effortlessly flowed with Mr. McCaulley’s words. I highly recommend Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit!

Have you read Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit? What did you think of the book?

I would like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Goodreads and my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.

I had to go back to see if this book was written for their child, which it was. I didn’t like the animation. I found it to be very odd, and I think this Book is more of a keepsake book that is written by mothers for their children instead of written for all kids.
I didn’t really like the writing and it was very generic, talking about feeling different because of her curly hair and then mentioning specific family moments and places that don’t hit as well for outsiders than it would for the children that this book is probably about - like the all nations church.
I tried to muster through it but I just really didn’t like it enough to finish. I feel bad bashing it. I understand that this is a keepsake book but I wouldn’t buy it for myself, maybe if I knew the author personally I would buy it for support but I don’t think it was very well written unfortunately.

2.5 stars

This story was poignant and a total must read for little black girls everywhere. The artwork was beautiful and the story was one of Christ, community and church in preparation for Pentecost.

What has a little girl's hair got to do with the Holy Spirit? Readers might find that intriguing but with patience and openness, one would quickly connect the dots and see many themes important for today. Josey Johnson is a little girl who loves her hair. Some days, she would have it braided while other days she would prefer pigtails or curly afros. Some days, it seems like her hair could very much take a life of its own! Like many young Church-going families, Josey goes to Church every Sunday morning with her parents. She would dress well for the occasion, but for that Sunday, it was a special occasion: Pentecost Sunday! Gradually, the author connects the different types of hair, the diversity of people gathered, and the meaning of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit comes. There are several themes that the author put out that readers (and children) could pick up quickly. The key theme would be the celebration of diversity, just like the Holy Spirit who gave different gifts to different people. When the Holy Spirit comes, He unites people from all walks of life, starting with believers.

McCaulley highlights several examples of diversity. From different kinds of hairstyles to different kinds of fish in creation, readers get to see the breadth of diversity in all kinds of shapes, patterns, and colours. The purpose is to teach children from a young age on how to appreciate their friends, classmates, neighbours, and especially people who are different from us. For God has created each of us unique, fearfully, and wonderfully made. If God has loved us for who we are, why shouldn't we do the same for one another?

This is a beautiful book with a simple message: The way we celebrate Pentecost is essentially about celebrating diversity. God made us different not to make enemies of one another. He created each of us special so that He could love each of us for who we are. There is no need for us to compare ourselves just to feel a sense of dignity. It is simply because we are created and loved by God, we are already special in God's eyes. When the Holy Spirit comes to us on Pentecost, it is a reminder that being different is a gift from God. He gave us diverse gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ. He wants us to love one another.

This simple message is needed even as our world becomes more divided. From politics to social identities, ethnicities to diverse backgrounds, every movement for equality sparks a counter-movement against it. In America, there is that age-old racial divide between white and black. That is not the only one. Genderwise, many stand in solidarity with women in the #MeToo movement. Racially, the "Black Lives Matter" movement reminds us of the injustice happening to the Black community all over the world. In Canada, there are the "Idle No More," "Indigenous Lives Matter," or "Truth and Reconciliation" movements. For each of these movements, the moment people begin to ask why, it would have achieved one of the primary aims of the movement: Raise awareness. This book does exactly the same thing. It centers the message of the Pentecost on the need to appreciate the differences and diversities the Holy Spirit has given to the Church, and how Christians ought to lead the way in championing unity in diversity. It is a simple but increasingly necessary message for the world.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

I really liked this! I really appreciated all of the representation and the references to the Gospel! I think it had a good plot and storyline and don't have anything bad to say about it.

This picture book teaches children about the beauty in diversity and the Christian story of Pentecost, as Josey Johnson and her dad prepare for a special Sunday at church. The story is nice, with colorful pictures and a sweet daddy/daughter bond, but the book is mainly focused on teaching Christian self-esteem values, without much of a story. This is a great teaching tool, but not a particularly strong narrative to return to again and again.

The best and most beautiful picture book I've read yet about the value of being made in God's image, made unique and the wonder of our differences. This is an excellent book I'd recommend to any parent or child.

*Beautiful* illustrations and content. A wonderful read for Christian children. I’m so glad this book was made!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley and illustrated by LaTonya Jackson is a beautiful Christian faith-based book. It is the story of a Father explaining to his daughter why God made people different and the blessing of diversity as they prepare to celebrate Pentecost. Author Esau McCaulley is a theologian who also wrote, Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope. (This is on my TBR list!)

Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley book cover
Buy on Bookshop
In the story, Josey’s father takes her to the hair salon. While there she begins thinking about how her hair is so different from other girls she goes to school with. There are several themes of love and upliftment woven into this wonderful new children’s book through a Christian lens.

Hair Positivity
In the Black community, going to the hair salon is a big deal. Josey ponders the differences between her hair and the hair of the little girls at her school. The scenes in the salon are warm and loving. There is even one illustration of Josey that I wish I could get framed for my daughter.

The Value Of Differences
While Josey is getting her hair braided, her father talks to her about the benefits of diversity from a Biblical perspective. He asks her questions like “when God created the world, was there just one kind of fish or thousands?” She recognizes that God made lots of things on Earth different, so she asks her father why.

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made
He continues to talk to Josey and references Psalms 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (NIV). I love how he uses the scripture to uplift his daughter. The stylist and the entire salon break out into a song of worship after listening to the father -daughter conversation.

What Is Pentecost?
The second half of the book is dedicated to Josey’s dad explaining the meaning of Pentecost as they shop for a red dress. He ties the story of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples and giving them the power to speak different languages to remind Josey that all people matter to God. It doesn’t matter what language they speak, what type of hair they have or the color of their skin. The resurrection of Jesus was for everybody.

Learn & Discuss
Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit is a great book to read with children to explore the discussion of differences between people in a positive way. It is also a great way to discuss the celebration and meaning of Pentecost in the Christian church. The observance of Pentecost is on Sunday, June 5 this year.

A cute story about how God created us all differently and how we are all unique works of art told through a story of a little girl getting her hair braided before church. That Sunday is Pentecost and her dad explains because of the Holy Spirit and what happens at Pentecost, Jesus's life, death, and resurrection are for all people. Definitely a good book for kids who are struggling with their differences or just a way to introduce Pentecost to kids.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

I got this book specially for daughter to read it. She instantly fell in love with the cover. This is a short read with wonderful illustrations. Josie is getting her braided. She has a red dress already Pentecost Sunday. She is learning about the differences she see’s in God’ plans. I rather enjoyed reading “Josie Johnson’s Hair And The Holy Spirit”. My daughter is 10 years old she read it but didn’t like it very much.

Thank you NetGalley and InterVarsity Press for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.

This story is a wonderful one about being different. One day, Josey Johnson asks her dad why all the other girls have straight hairs and hers are so different. To this, her father gives a beautiful explanation, that I think serves as an important message to all the young girls out there. Overall, this was a cute story and I loved it.

I thought this was a beautifully illustrated Christian book about a young girl who was getting her hair done for the Pentecostal service at her father's church and she has questions about why are people so different. I think the author Esau McCaulley did a great job explaining about why God chooses to make people different. This book is for young black girls so they may read books more books about them, but I also think this book all young children could read. To learn about others and why we are different, but in a good way.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a preview of this book.

"Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit" is officially one of my favorite books. I can't wait to buy it for my little cousins and goddaughters. This is a fantastic book that teaches children that we are all made in the image of God and no matter who we are, what language we speak, or how we look, Jesus died for us. No one is more or less worthy of God's love. This is also a great lesson on how Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us always and help us tell other people about the good news of Jesus. It's so nice to see a story of a little girl spending time with her daddy and going to the salon. It's incredibly cute and sweet. I highly recommend this to all children wanting to learn about the gifts God has given us. This book truly touched my heart and I was in tears from the start.

I've never had to face issues about my hair. Probably because I'm an African living in Africa. But if I'm being honest, I always did wonder why my hair wasn't as straight or long as the little kids in the foreign movies I watched growing up.

I love how this book tries to address the issue of being different in a language kids will understand. No one wants to be different, but then God has made us differently for His own glory. And this does not mean He loves us less. He died for us all and gave His Holy Spirit to us all.

This is a beautiful book I'll recommend to all African children in the diaspora.

Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit is delightfully adorable. Esau McCaulley affirms the imago dei and the beauty of the creativity of God in making everyone unique. He gives encouragement to little girls of color that their uniqueness is part of God's glory displayed in artistry. The illustrations are absolutely fantastic. This would make a great book to gift any little girl in your life to show them God's love for his children and celebrate their uniqueness.

A lovely story with gorgeous artwork. Seriously, I cannot get over the artwork. The different hairstyles and the way they were used to fill the page and tell the story was great. I adore the way the words sometimes follow the shape of the hair, or how the hair acted as a transition into the artwork of Josey's imagination. Love it so much.

I really appreciate the focus on Pentecost. I feel like that is such an important biblical event that doesn't get near enough focus in Christian children's stories and worship times. Great, quick little read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Intervarsity Press for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and InterVarsity Press for the ARC!

Dr. McCaulley was one of my high school Bible teachers over 10 years ago and I have really enjoyed following his work ever since. When I saw that his children's book was available as an ARC, I was so excited to read it! As a mom of two young sons, I am always looking for books that will teach them how to love people well and that we are all unique, beautiful, and created in God's image. Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit does just that! It is a beautiful story and one that I will be glad to read to my sons.