Janelle Harper Special Story Time

Join us for a special story time with 2006 Mount Holyoke alum and author, Janelle Harper! Janelle will be reading her two picture books, Salon Saturday and My Block Looks Like followed by a Q&A and a book signing.

Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who proudly carries her New York accent wherever she goes. She comes from a long line of educators and spent nearly two decades teaching dance in NYC public schools. Janelle is passionate about representation and hopes to create stories that make children fall more in love with themselves. She is the author of My Block Looks Like (2024), Salon Saturday (2025) and Sunday Service (2026). Janelle has the privilege of being a double alumnae of Mount Holyoke College representing the Class of 2006 (undergraduate) and the Class of 2017 (graduate).

A picture book that celebrates the community built at the hair salon and the dynamic variety of Black hairstyles!
Today is the day!
A little girl’s first trip to the salon is a rite of passage, but choosing a new hairstyle is feeling like an impossible task! There are so many styles to choose from—bobs, buns, coils, fros, and more. And according to Grandma, Momma, and Sissy, choosing the best one means thinking about ease, lifestyle, and personality…It’s A LOT to think about!
When the options seem overwhelming, the young girl decides to search for what feels right today, and that there’s always a future salon visit to try something new. While admiring the three loving women who have guided her through this big day, she finally sees it…her own kind of beautiful!
From coils and long locs to waves and braids, Salon Saturday offers a vibrant portrayal of Black hairstyles, cherishing them as both a ritual and an ever-evolving journey of self-expression.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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