I received an electronic ARC from Publisher Spotlight through NetGalley.
Powerful story of a young girl who escapes slavery in Columbia. Readers see her life as a slave and then her observe and then join a group of women planning to escape. She sees them braid each other's hair and has her hair braided too. We learn the symbolism woven in these braids as they sent secret messages to each other and outlined the map they needed to follow. The book ends with them reaching a free town. Beautiful illustrations capture their life.

Beautifully illustrated and packed with history. There's a reverence shown to the history of planning escape routes through Black hair braiding and the importance braiders played in the community.

Thoughtful, unique, and I learned a lot about a topic I did not know previously. Would be a great read aloud.

I’ve seen people discuss how braids were historically used by enslaved people as a map for freedom, so when I saw this picture book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. The art is so evocative and the prose flows really well as it tells the story of Nemy following Big Mother and learning the braiding techniques and finding her way to freedom with the group of women. I also loved the author’s note talking about the different meanings in some of the styles, and how the meanings can change based on location and culture. The endpapers are also such a lovely touch, with details of different braid styles and the names for them. I really loved this and loved the art.

Such an empowering and informational book. I really liked how the author wrote a book about a horrible historical event, but made it age-appropriate and not a total downer of a book. Rather than leaving readers with a dark cloud over their heads, readers are left with a better understanding of Black culture in the time of the Transatlantic slave trade, and are inspired and empowered by stories of how enslaved people used hair as a pathway to freedom and a source of hope. This message was perfectly conveyed through well-done and greatly detailed illustrations. The illustrator is truly so talented, and is able to breathe life into a book through art. This relationship between message and art also makes this book amazingly unique, and it will definitely breathe new life into the world of children's books. Lastly, this book's plot made a lot of sense, and started/ended at good spots.
Bravo!

Freedom Braids by Monique Duncan is a beautifully written picture book that offers a rich resource for exploring themes of identity, culture, and community with young children. Through vibrant illustrations and simple, yet powerful language, Duncan introduces readers to the tradition of braiding hair, using it as a metaphor for how our identities are shaped by the people and experiences around us.

Freedom Braids can be a wonderful way to engage children in discussions about family, diversity, and self-expression. The book provides opportunities to explore cultural differences, teach empathy, and celebrate the unique qualities of each child. It also emphasizes the importance of connections, both within families and communities, making it a valuable tool for fostering a sense of belonging and understanding in the classroom.

With its heartwarming message and accessible storytelling, Freedom Braids is a meaningful addition to any classroom library, encouraging children to appreciate their own roots while respecting the individuality of others.

Only as an adult did I learn about the practice of enslaved people braiding paths to freedom in their hair — and I wondered why I hadn't been taught about it before. Freedom Braids is a beautifully illustrated story of Nemy, a young enslaved girl. One night, Nemy happens upon a group of women braiding their hair alongside a woman they call Big Mother. There, Nemy's hair is braided and she's taught that they can braid specific map paths to freedom in their hairstyles, and even tuck away seeds for future planting. After a long journey, she and the other women are able to escape to a secluded village in the mountains of Colombia where they are free, and they return to the plantations to free others.

Having mostly been exposed to the history of slavery in the United States, I just immediately assumed the story would end with "they went up North and things were great!" which, you know, whitewashed American Education 101. So I really appreciated that Freedom Braids ended with a portrayal of a community like San Basilio de Palenque.

All in all, a well-told and engaging example of perseverance during slavery that deserves to be more widely known.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Enslaved Nemy works in the sugarcane fields in Colombia before 1852, when the South American country outlawed slavery. The matriarch of the plantation, nicknamed “Big Mother,” leads Nemy to an out-of-the-way shack where the women braid each other’s hair — but not just any braids. Braids with a secret, a map to freedom hidden within, a map to a free black community in the forest. This picture by award-winning author Monique Duncan and illustrator Oboh Moses provides a tale I had never heard, even though I’m Latin American. Highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Publisher’s Spotlight and Lantana Publishing in exchange for an honest review.