Her mother taught in Washington and was an adjunct professor of science education at Howard University. Professor Herron was raised in Washington. She said she wrote ''Nappy Hair'' with exactly the same impulses that led her to be a classics scholar. ''I thought of Ovid, who was sent into exile because he was writing against Emperor Augustus.'' Yet, she said, she also felt a strange pride, as if she had joined an exalted group of writers whose books have been banned. Admission is free.''It struck me deeply in the heart,'' said Professor Herron. The ISU minority theatre workshop will be doing a reading of “Nappy Hair” to start the evening. “It’s a story that is filled with love for this child.” “The story is very much a celebration of this child,” she said. “It’s interesting to consider how different people respond to materials that they’re uncomfortable with or if they’re uncomfortable with the way the material is presented,” she said.Įlbert said the book is very appropriate for children.

“There’s lot of action there’s a nice rhythm to the story.”Įlbert said she thought the controversy surrounding “Nappy Hair” was intriguing. The book is a delightful story, the illustrations are fun and appealing,” she said. “I think that it will be a very interesting discussion. “ was seen by some as a racially charged term, but that was not the author’s intent,” she said.Ĭarol Elbert, youth services coordinator for Ames Public Library, said she thinks Herron’s speech is a good edition to Banned Books week. Marinko agreed that the title of the book has been misconstrued by some as being derogatory. “ an African-American writer using a term which some people think is negative.” “The reason she was selected as a banned book speaker is because of the misunderstanding surrounding the book,” Miller said. Herron’s speech is in conjunction with Banned Books Week, said Pat Miller, coordinator of the lectures program.

“Nappy Hair” is now required reading for grades three through five at Public School 75. “The teacher was trying to read the book as a celebration of their ethnicity.” “They felt that she was teaching the kids something racist, but many of them had not read the book,” said Rita Marinko, associate professor at Parks Library. “Nappy Hair” drew national attention last year when a first-year teacher in Brooklyn, N.Y., came under fire for reading the book to her class of African-American and Hispanic third-graders.Īccording to a copyrighted article by The Associated Press, Ruth Sherman, 27, transferred from Public School 75 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, after being threatened by parents who said the book was insensitive. Or so says Carolivia Herron, author of the controversial children’s book “Nappy Hair.” Herron will be speaking about her book tonight at 8 in the Sun Room of Memorial Union.

“One nap of her hair is the only perfect circle in nature.”

Nappy hair by carolivia herron