Crowned with Glory

 Title: Crowned with Glory

Author: Dorena Williamson

Illustrator: Shellene Rodney

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

Genre: Children's Fiction

Source: Publisher Provided

My Review:

The cover of Crowned with Glory is what first drew me to this book.

I love the pure joy on the girl's face! Crowned with Glory is written by Dorena Williamson and is illustrated by Shellene Rodney. Dorena has written several children’s books.

Crowned with Glory is an inspirational story about celebrating who you are and how God made you. While it is celebrating a young African American girl and her hair, there are quite a few positive messages woven throughout the main storyline.

Reflections of culture all around-such glory in creating beautiful crowns.

Crowned with Glory has a great message and is written incredibly well. It is an excellent lesson for children (and adults) to learn. The illustrations tell the story just as vividly as the words, with vibrant colors and realistic portrayals of Azira and her parents from birth through high school. I also appreciated the inclusion of people with different skin colors and abilities than Azira had.

I enjoyed most things about the book. It is meticulously edited, engaging, relatable, and realistic. Anyone who has ever been in a minority situation with people wanting to touch your hair or skin because it is different will relate to the message of this story. My kids had very blond hair when they were little and we lived in Africa, they were constantly being touched (without being asked if it was okay) simply because they were so pale and blond.

My only problem with the book is some of the rhyming schemes did not make sense. Also, some words will be hard for young children to read and pronounce. In addition, I struggled with slang in the book.

I would recommend this book to children from about 3 to 8 years old.  

Thank you to Waterbrook Press for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

★★★★/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

 An ode to Black hair and Black girl joy, this joy-filled rhyming picture book invites young readers into the world of a young Black girl as she rocks her God-given beauty.

Hello, world! I’m a gift from above.
I already know that I am loved.

Gazing around with a great big grin—
there’s a whole wide world for me to take in.

From the hair on her head to the tips of her toes, Azira knows that she is awesome! And whether it’s styled in twists, curls, braids, Bantu knots, a textured bun, or left totally natural, her hair is just one of the countless things that helps Azira celebrate who God made her to be. She’s able to live out a beautiful story because God has crowned her with glory—and Azira wants you to do the same!

Young readers will be inspired by this empowering, uplifting reminder to always be and love who God created them to be.