Greetings! My name is Danielle O’Neal and I am a local children's book author here in Saint Louis, MO.
I want to discuss the backstory of why I wrote my book Coily Kinky Curly Afro Princess.
In 2017, I came across several disturbing stories surrounding young African American girls who were being targeted for their natural hair textures and choice of hairstyles. The schools they attended prohibited their ability to wear their natural hair or any of these hairstyles. Young African American girls were being suspended or forced to transfer to other school districts because of the schools’ hair policies. I envisioned writing this book would encourage the new generation of girls to love themselves, their hair, and their uniqueness.
In today’s society, it is not common for the African American woman/girl to be considered beautiful.
Our beauty is often defined by the kinks of our hair. I wanted to build self-confidence in our girls so that they feel beautiful in a world that does not accept them.
In 2018, I was inspired to write my first children's book which features uplifting poems, fun illustrations, and different hairstyles, such as braids, updos, and afros.
In closing, I want to Thank you for your time and I look forward to working with you.
I’ll end with this quote, India. Arie says it best, “I'm not my hair, I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.”
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