YOUNG LOVE is a new animated series from Matthew A. Cherry based on the Oscar winning animated short Hair Love.
From Sony Pictures Animation: "The all-new animated series “Young Love” expands on the family introduced in the Academy Award®-winning short film, “Hair Love.” Filled with comedy and heart, Young Love is an honest look into the world of the Young family – including millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky – as they juggle their careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics all while striving to make a better life for themselves.
“Young Love” is created by Matthew A. Cherry, who will executive produce and show run with long-time animation creative Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite). The series will be executive produced by Karen Rupert Toliver and Blue Key Entertainment's Monica A. Young along with Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed.
The series stars Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi, Issa Rae, Loretta Devine, Tamar Braxton, Brooke Conaway and Harry Lennix." "Young Love" streams September 21, 2023 on Max. Take a look at this adorable official clip #YoungLoveMax:
About Hair Love (The Animated Short Young Love is Based On)
Hair Love is an Oscar®-winning 7-minute animated short film that centers around the relationship between an African American father, Stephen, his daughter, Zuri and her hair. Despite having long locks, Stephen has been used to his wife doing his daughter's hair, so when she is unavailable right before a big event, Stephen will have to figure it out on his own. This sounds simple enough, but we soon come to find that Zuri's hair has a mind of its own.
This story was born out of seeing a lack of representation in mainstream animated projects, and also wanting to promote hair love amongst young men and women of color. It is our hope that this project will inspire. (from MatthewACherry.com)
Children's Books Inspired by Hair Love
The picture book Hair Love was inspired by the animated short film. The book was written by Matthew A Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison and published in May 2019.
Publisher's Description: It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.
Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy.
Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. A perfect gift for special occasions including Father's Day, birthdays, baby showers, and more!
Hair Love Audiobook
Shout out to Blue Ivy Carter for narrating the Hair Love audiobook. Blue Ivy brings the story to life, making it great for car rides, bedtime, or anytime readers are looking for a heartwarming story to listen to. Listen to a sample of the audiobook and download a free copy of the book with membership when you use the code CHOOSEINDIE (for a limited time).
An alphabet board book inspired by the bestselling HAIR LOVE, from the original award-winning author and illustrator duo--and perfect for baby gift baskets.
A is for Afro, N is for Natural, and W is for Waves. Letter by letter, follow Zuri and her father in their joy-filled journey through the kinks and curls of Black hair.
This 7x7 board book is perfect as a baby gift, for existing fans of HAIR LOVE, young readers embracing their natural hair, and toddlers learning their ABCs!
Find more affirming picture books for children in these book lists:
1. Affirming Picture Books: I AM: Children's Books that Affirm
2. Affirmations for Kids: The Power of Positive Thinking
3. Empowering Picture Books: 25 Empowering Picture Books
4. Self-Acceptance Books: I Love Me! Inclusive Children's Books
Watch Hair Love | Oscar®-Winning Short Film | Sony Pictures Animation
Hair Love, an Oscar®-winning animated short film from Matthew A. Cherry, tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.
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