In early 2018, I was inspired to write a children’s book after an experience I shared with my 4-year-old daughter, Autumn. One weekend, Autumn watched me straighten and style my long, natural hair and told me she wanted “princess hair” like mine. Immediately, I felt compelled to be Autumn’s mirror, and I knew it was time for a change.
As a Mom to a beautiful, black girl, I wrote this story to instill confidence in her as early as possible. She will know that beauty emanates from within.
Parents! It is my hope that this story inspires us all to continue BEING the example to our children as much as possible. They are always watching!
Heather Burris is a public health professional and a gifted writer. Hair Like Me is her first published project. Heather also enjoys working out, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband Brad, and two children, Autumn and BJ.
Autumn Burris is a fun preschooler who loves to learn. She enjoys gymnastics, reading in English and Spanish, playing with her Barbie DreamHouse, and bossing around her younger brother, BJ. Her favorite color is pink and she loves to wear dresses that spin. You can usually find her doing cartwheels and roundoff’s wherever space allows. She wants to be a gymnast when she grows up.
Sooo, how did we get here? Well, in part thanks to friends like you! Last year we launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to self-publish this book. Through the power of social media and an outpouring of love and support, we smashed our fundraising goal of $3500. In the final three days of the month long campaign, we made a stretch goal of $5000 and exceeded it. One hundred and twenty-five backers pledged $5,025 to bring this project- our story to life!