This is such an amazing book about celebrating the heritage, self-image, and the ability to accomplish dreams.

Jaden is such a great character and is able to do so much- he's a great bookfriend for anyone who is reading the story.

The illustrations are really vibrant, engaging, and full of images of Jaden and his hair.

This is a beautifully illustrated book with a lovely message of acceptance and self-love. The author uses rhymes to tell the story of young Jaden. As a person of color, I appreciate the effort to highlight an aspect of black culture that is just as symbolic as it is relevant. However, I find myself wishing the author took time to bring out other aspects of the character of Jaden on even features of his cultural identity rather than just focusing on his hair. Specifically focusing on the hair, I think children who both share Jaden's cultural roots and children who don't would benefit from learning more about the history behind locs.

Jaden’s locs are his pride. I found the subtle touches in the artwork which gave each moment a momentum and magic, as if the air is flowing or smiling.

The little boy here is shown in many encouraging and empowering situations.

A book about what you can achieve, several interests/trying at them, and accepting who you are.

I'm not an own voices reviewer but as a teacher, I think this is a wonderful and positive story. The text rhymes in a way that will be pleasing when read aloud and will certainly keep a child's attention. The illustrations are cute, as well. I liked that this story focused wholly on how great Jaden feels about his locs.

This was a very cute story that surely will inspire self-esteem in young readers with similar locks that promotes a positive body image and representation without being overly unrealistic. The variety of ways Jaden styles his hair along with his Dad's locks also showcases different looks, particularly if young readers have hair that may not quite match Jaden's exactly. Featuring cute rhymes and complimentary illustrations, my only nitpick is that although the story is appealing, it does sometimes feel like Jaden's hair is wearing him. Many of the activities throughout his day involve his hair doing something, it would've been nice to see Jaden connect his locks to his identity, culture, or family values vs its mostly superficial inclusion in this story. Perhaps when Jaden is playing with his classmates or eating lunch, they could have a conversation about his hair or what it means to him to take the book to a new level and to promote stronger connections to the provided discussion questions. Otherwise, I thought this was a lovely book perfect to be read aloud and used in a classroom environment due to the Jaden's illustration being very large on the pages and easy to see from a distance.

Locked Into His Glow

This book demonstrates a boy enjoying life in and out of school. He is proud of his locs and how the express who he is. The joy Jaden brings fuels an environment of friendships and embracing one another.

The illustrations really bring you into his day, events and overall world. It’s encompassing, warm and engaging.

The conversation around locs can help launch a discussion about loving what makes you unique and being supportive 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.

Included are individual/group based questions and talking points that can be used as a guide at the end. So thoughtful and intentional to allow the conversation to flow.

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

LOVE!! This was such a beautiful story!! I loved how Jaden was shown doing normal activities with his locs and when others were curious or had reactions, he was happy to explain it to them. I am not naive enough to believe every child or person with lots would be met with nothing but positivity, unfortunately, but I think books like this and its partner book "Loc'd Her Story" which I am so excited to read next, will go along way in providing children the tools to discuss with others who do make any comments to them. I also loved that this book included discussion questions at the end, these can be great tools for adults using these books with children but also to use the questions with children as well to expand on their learning.

This book is so heartwarming, sweet, and well-done! It definitely achieves its goal of encouraging young readers to strengthen their self-esteem and celebrate their individuality. Jaden's confidence is infectious, and I have no doubt that readers will walk away from this book feeling empowered and happy in their own bodies with their own traits, just as Jaden shows. This message is obviously perfect for all kids, but I believe that it's especially meaningful for young readers of color. This is because Jaden's celebration of his uniqueness is centered around his locs. This is important because sometimes kids feel alienated and different because of their locs or hair, but Jaden's story pushes against that, and effortlessly illustrates that locs are beautiful and fun. I give so much credit to the creators of this story for creating such a meaningful and happy book. I know for certain that this book will *truly* speak to kids and get them to be comfortable with their individuality (this is especially accomplished with help from discussion questions in the back of the book).
Bravo!

This is a beautiful story of individualism, identity, and self-love. Following the journey of a little Black boy named Jaden, who proudly sports his locs, this book is a celebration of uniqueness and the power of embracing one’s true self.

From the moment I met Jaden, I was enchanted by his vibrant personality and the way he confidently showcases his style. This book skillfully captures the essence of individuality, illustrating how Jaden navigates the world around him while staying true to who he is. The story resonates deeply, reminding readers—both young and old—that our differences make us special and should be celebrated.

The message of the story is told with simple rhyming to explore the unique parts of us that is our hair!
The illustrations by artist Frances Rose Espanol are active, simple, colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, doctor's office, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected efile on PDF from the author and BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
#LocdHisStory by Stephanie Yates #artistFrancesRoseEspanol #NetGalley @IBPA @BooksGoSocial @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones ***** #Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @childrensbookcouncil #KidLit #BeYourself

An adorable children's book about embracing your natural hair and locs. It is so important for POC children to see representation that looks like them and that talks about things that they can relate to.
This was such a fun read and the artwork was absolutely gorgeous. The discussion topics at the end was a nice touch too.
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

My 3yo liked the story about hair! She was interested in the locs and why the little boy wore them certain ways. I enjoyed the rhyming and phrasing. Very well done!

This is such an adorably written and illustrated story of Jaden and his beautiful locs! He does a variety of activities like swimming, painting, and experimenting in science class, and his locs only enhance the fun and passion in each activity.

My only 'complaint' about this book is that I wished there had been more about locs in general. The discussion questions at the end (which I love because they're so expansive and I can imagine they'd foster great discussions!) mention the way that his locs represent his culture and heritage. I didn't feel like the book itself really delved into that aspect of his hair?

Still, I think this is a wonderful, vibrant addition to the growing collection of children's books proudly celebrating Black hair. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loc'd His Story is about a boy named Jaden, who has locs. He loves his hair and how his locs go through life with him. 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.

𐙚 - Loc Love
𐙚 - Refreshingly Unique & Uplifting
𐙚 - Playful & Engaging

Loved it!! ・❥・

This vibrant children’s book celebrates individuality and the beauty of locs through Jaden’s fun-filled day. The focus on Jaden’s locs is refreshing and unique.

The rhymes are playful and engaging, while the stunning illustrations add a whimsical charm, showing Jaden’s locs adapting to various activities throughout the day.

This book carries a beautiful message about self-confidence and embracing what makes you unique. With its rich text, delightful illustrations, and uplifting tone, this is a lovely and positive read for all children.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰/ 5

Thank you for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. ・❥・

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

Whilst I felt that this was a cute story, with some fabulous rhymes depicting an eventful day, I would have liked the locs to have been a bigger part of Jaden. The story seemed to be more about the locs than the boy with the locs embracing his individuality. 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.

The pictures are great. They complimented the text, and I loved how the hairstyle would alter to suit the activities undertaken during the day. The book might have gone further to show other people reacting to Jaden’s hair or complimenting his style, so that the audience could see a positive reaction and better embrace their appearance particularly if they shared a similar look with Jaden.

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.

I loved this book. As a black woman I think this book is so needed. Young boys need to see representation of themselves in books as well and I think this book will do very well in stores. The writing was very well done and the graphics were cute and accurate.

This is a really great book and I loved the celebration of just being who you are!

The story was well written and easy to follow, it was really well done from start to finish.

The illustrations in the book are great and bring it all together.

A really lovely and positive book - it is 5 stars from me - very highly recommended!

Loved the art and the caracter.
It was a very enjoyable story and reading it to my niece we had a great reading time.

I've never read a book that specifically focused on locs, but I love that this book did!! Jaden is an absolute cutie and I love how the story really emphasizes cultural pride and individuality. The illustrations are also stunning and add a more whimsical feeling to the book. There's such a beautiful message about self-confidence in your identity and expressing and embracing what makes you who you are, which I think everyone needs to be reminded of once in a while. Love this and would definitely recommend it to others!

#LocdHisStory #NetGalley