How Olivia's Story Can Help Children Celebrate Their Unique Hair
Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.
For children, hair can be an important part of how they see and express themselves. Whether they have curls, coils, braids, locs, twists, or another beautiful style, seeing hair like their own represented positively in a children's story can create an opportunity for meaningful conversations about identity, individuality, and self-expression.
Olivia's story provides a simple starting point for parents, caregivers, and teachers to talk with children about what makes their hair—and themselves—special.
1. Start With Their Own Story
After reading Olivia's story, invite your child to talk about their own hair.
You could ask:
- “What do you like about your hair?”
- “What's your favorite way to wear your hair?”
- “What makes your hair special?”
- “Is there a hairstyle you'd like to try?”
There is no need to guide children toward a particular answer. Give them space to describe their own experiences and preferences.
2. Celebrate Different Hair Types
Children naturally notice differences between people.
Reading a story like Olivia's can open the door to conversations about how everyone's hair can look different—and that's something to celebrate.
Talk about the different textures, lengths, colors, and styles your child sees around them.
You can encourage them to notice that being different doesn't mean being less. Our differences are part of what makes each person unique.
3. Turn Reading Into a Creative Activity
After reading the story, give your child paper and crayons and invite them to draw themselves.
They might draw:
- Their favorite hairstyle
- A hairstyle they would like to try
- Themselves with family and friends
- A character with hair inspired by their own
- A picture celebrating what makes them unique
Don't worry about making the drawing look realistic. Let your child decide how they want to represent themselves.
For an extra activity, ask them to choose colors that they feel represent their personality.
4. Talk About Confidence and Self-Love
Storytime can be a natural moment to talk about confidence.
Ask your child:
“What is something you love about yourself?”
If they aren't sure, help them think beyond appearance. Maybe they are kind to their friends, love helping others, enjoy drawing, or are curious about the world.
The conversation can help children understand that confidence isn't only about how we look. It's also about appreciating who we are and the qualities that make us unique.
5. Make Their Hair Part of Their Creativity
You can extend the activity beyond reading.
Ask your child to create a self-portrait inspired by Olivia's story. Encourage them to include the hairstyle, texture, or accessories that make their picture feel like them.
You could even create a small display of family self-portraits and give each person a chance to share something they like about themselves.
This turns a simple reading activity into an opportunity for creativity, conversation, and self-expression.
Why Representation Matters in Storytime
When children encounter characters who look like them, their everyday experiences can become part of the stories they enjoy.
Books can give parents and teachers an easy way to begin conversations about identity and individuality without making the conversation feel like a lesson.
Olivia's story can be a starting point: read together, talk about what makes each person unique, and then give children an opportunity to express their own ideas through art.
Create Your Own Olivia-Inspired Activity
After reading Olivia's story, keep the conversation going with a creative activity.
Give your child some paper and their favorite crayons and ask:
“Draw a picture of what makes you uniquely you.”
Let them choose the colors, hairstyle, clothing, and details that represent them.
Most importantly, let them create it their way.
Continue Olivia's Story
Ready to explore Olivia's story together?
