Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. This was a lovely lyrical tale with a great rhyme scheme and gorgeous illustrations. The messages about individuality and pride are so strong and compelling, and the main character Zara's journey is happening at a great pace. I would have loved a line or two about why locs *specifically* are so significant - to really show why this story of pride is important (beyond embracing something about herself that is just different than her classmates, Zara is also showing pride for a very important cultural history when she embraces her locs.)

I saw that there is also a boy's version of this story, which I will definitely be checking out next! I think that one is first to this companion read.

This bright and gorgeous children's book celebrates locs and individuality, and offers lots of conversation starters at the end that help nurture self-awareness, emotional maturity, and identity. The rhyme made it pleasant to read out loud. I absolutely loved the bead illustrations at the start and end too. Fantastic book for all of your little ones.

This is such a lovely story about uniqueness and embracing yourself! Whether you are purchasing because it relates specifically to you and your own children, or to just show the diversity in the world around us, this story is nothing but positivity in accepting everyone’s differences

Oh, my goodness, Loc’d Her Story is just precious! From the first page, the bright, colorful illustrations grabbed my attention and made me smile. Every page is filled with positivity, celebrating identity, self-love, and the beauty of being yourself. The words are so inspiring—they make young girls feel proud and hopeful, as if they can do anything. This book helps kids embrace what makes them unique and shows them that those traits are their superpowers—how amazing is that?

The discussion prompts at the end are a wonderful touch! They encourage important conversations about confidence, diversity, and acceptance. Whether you’re reading it at home, in a classroom, or preparing kids for a big moment like starting school, these prompts are perfect for sparking meaningful chats with young readers.

Loc’d Her Story is a must-read if you want a book that’s not only inspiring but also uplifting and full of positive messages. It’s a joyful reminder of how our differences make the world a better place. I can’t recommend it enough—this is a book that families and classrooms will love!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

"My locs are my story, my spark, and my might!"

What a beautiful book!! This was such a good story about being confident in who you are and sharing your individuality with your peers, even if you stand out! I love the care the author and the illustrator use in making sure the story feels authentic and empowering and they do such a good job. Just like with "Loc'd His Story", I loved the discussion questions that are included in the back of the story. As a future children's therapist, I am looking forward to adding these stories to my collection to use with my future clients.

Such a cute story about self esteem and standing out. I also loved the art work, everything was beautiful. Would love to read more from the author

After checking out Loc'd His Story, I was so excited to see its companion book! Just like Loc'd His Story, this is an adorably written and illustrated story of Zara and her beautiful locs! As she goes through her school day, we see her confidence, excitement, and intelligence -- all enhanced by the way her locs make her feel.

I will say I did enjoy this book a little more than the first, because I feel it does a better job of showing how Zara deals with others' opinions of her hair (all the while without taking focus away from her.) Instead of allowing in any insecurity or self-doubt at her classmate's comments, she simply flaunts her hair with pride! When another student admires her hair, Zara is even kind enough to share one of her beads.

Also, the discussion questions in the back are perfect for fostering conversations about pride, self-esteem, and building friendships.

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

My 4 and 6 year old daughters loved this book about a little girl who is proud of her locs. She goes to school and succeeds in school socially and academically.

Brightly illustrated, rhythmic rhymes throughout the story.
Zara has a day at school with no negative comments about her hair and positive interactions with the other children; nothing knocks her confidence and she is fully certain her hair is beautiful throughout.
The prose is consistently joyful and matches the bounce of the illustrations.

I am grateful to Stephanie Yates, BookGoSocial, and Netgalley for the Digital Reader Copy I received. Read on for my review of the book.

Having read Loc’d His Story, I was interested to see if, and how, Loc’d Her Story differed in its content. Again, I can’t fault the cuteness of the story, and the happy-go-lucky, bouncing rhymes that insight joy. However, I failed to see the importance of the locs. Sure, classmates remarked on the way they looked, and the narrator makes reference to this bouncing style, but what was the point? What is the message in the story? It was not wholly obvious to me that it was about individuality and self-esteem until I reached the discussion questions at the end. My overarching assessment of Loc’d His Story was that ‘with so few books out there that celebrate Black hair, and Black culture, this book could have used the rhymes to focus on the whole person, not just the hair.’ My overarching story of this book is that with so few books out there that celebrate Black hair, and Black culture, this book could have used the rhymes to focus on the significance of Zara’s hair, and not just her as a person.

As with Loc’s His Story, the pictures are great and are in the same style; vibrant, cartoony, complimentary of the text, simple in design but detailed in texture. However, I missed seeing the locs styled differently throughout the day and taking on more of a life of their own. Whilst the book demonstrated stereotypical reactions to Zara’s hair that are standard of inquisitive children, I did not feel that a satisfactory response was provided. Why were the locs any more confidence boosting than being blonde, or having curly hair, or short hair, or long.

Rich in text and pictures, this book would especially appeal to a young Global Majority or mixed heritage reader. It might also suit caregivers wanting to add diversity to their child’s library, or as a device for introducing the subject of racial diversity to very young readers in terms of how and why people look different. However, it would be up to said caregiver to fill in the gaps the book leaves and highlight any points they want to get across to the child(ren) to whom they are reading.

Join Zara on a joyful journey as she embraces her beautiful locs and the confidence they bring her.

From the moment she wakes up, Zara knows that her locs are more than just hair—they’re her crown, her identity, and her pride. As she skips through her day, facing both curious glances and admiring smiles, Zara shows that self-love and confidence come from within. This uplifting story celebrates individuality, self-esteem, and the beauty of embracing who you are, inside and out.

As the designated librarian and curator for my family, I often find myself initiating libraries and selecting a variety of books for my loved ones. I particularly cherish creating libraries for the young ones and am naturally attracted to narratives that feature Black characters of various skin tones and hairstyles. I was excited about this book, which showcased a young girl with locs—a rarity in children's literature. The illustrations were striking and the tale endearing, yet I yearned for deeper exploration into the significance of her locs, considering their varied cultural and religious meanings. Nonetheless, I appreciated the discussion questions included at the end, as they provide a starting point for readers unfamiliar with initiating dialogue about the book's themes. Overall, my impression of the book remains favorable.

This is a really nice book with some positive messaging for kids.

The story was well written and easy to follow and my daughter enjoyed it.

The illustrations in the book work well with the story and help to bring it all together.

A really nice book - it is 4 stars from me - highly recommended!

Great Discussion Topics Included

This book opens up a great conversation about self-love and acceptance of everyone’s unique characteristics. I think this would be great to read when preparing to start school or for classrooms to discuss the beauty of diversity and how it makes everyone better together.

I loved the individual/group based questions and talking points that can be used as a guide at the end. So thoughtful and intentional.

I received a free copy of this book from Stephanie Yates and BooksGoSocial. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.

After reading Loc'd His Story, I was excited to see a version for girls called Loc'd Her Story. This book is about a girl named Zara who has locs that she loves. They are a part of her and why she is special. The format is similar to the book about Jaden. We instead see Zara going to school and doing different activities. The illustrations are very cute and you can see the motion of the scenes through them. I liked the discussion questions at the end that focused on self-esteem, individuality, SEL, and identity. These would help make reading this book in school/group setting a simple task.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an egalley of this book for an honest review.

A cheerful celebration of identity and individuality. With the aid of uplifting verses, colourful illustrations, and discussion prompts, Loc'd Her Story stresses the importance of self-affirmation in building a child's confidence so that they could grow to claim every part of who they are with pride, courage, and joy.

This beautifully illustrated book is more than just a story; it’s a powerful affirmation of self-worth and a celebration of identity.

From the very first page, Zara captivates readers with a relatable narrative that encourages young girls to embrace their unique beauty and strength. The vibrant illustrations complement the text perfectly, bringing Zara to life and reflecting the rich diversity of Black culture. Each page radiates positivity and joy, making it an engaging read for both children and adults alike.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a sweet story of a little girl with locs and kindness. My daughter was drawn in when the little girl, Zara, shared one of her beads with another little girl. The illustrations were bright and fun. Definitely recommend.