Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit

LaTonya Jackson is an artist and illustrator living in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she teaches art to elementary and middle school students. A classically trained artist, LaTonya transitioned to children's illustrations after becoming a mom and experiencing the joy of seeing things through her son's eyes.

Esau McCaulley (PhD, St. Andrews) is associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. He is the author of Reading While Black and Sharing in the Son's Inheritance, as well as the children's book Josie Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit. He lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with his wife and four children.

"Every page and picture in this little book brings a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart. For a Black girl with textured hair like me, it is both nostalgic and meaningful. Esau's pen is always powerful, but here it is very likely the most personal—a father's love letter to his beloved and beautiful brown-skinned daughter. Dear reader, Josie's story will remind you—and every young girl attached to you—that your uniqueness is a reflection of the Father's creative genius. And then it willinvite you to embrace every curl and to love the skin you're in."

"The exuberant story, with illustrations to match, manages to explain Pentecost, affirm Josey's Blackness as 'God's work of art' and celebrate human difference as evidence of God's plan for creation at the same time. That's a lot for a picture book, but it works!"

"Esau paints a beautiful picture of how we can weave biblical teaching into the ordinary stuff of life, like a visit to the salon for your daughter's extraordinarily gorgeous hair. Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit will help you share about the image of God, the gospel for all nations, and the Holy Spirit, all while helping your child gain the invaluable knowledge that she is fearfully and wonderfully made."

"God has created beauty in diversity. But in a world that can be uniquely unkind to our Black girls, I have known the responsibility and privilege of intentionally celebrating their inner and outer glory. In Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit, Esau McCaulley reminds me of deep conversations with my own beautiful daughters, appreciating their differences, affirming God's love, and telling them they are valuable beyond measure. This message is for today."

"There are so many delights in this children's story. Theologian Esau McCaulley weaves into the narrative rich theology of humans as God's image bearers and the wonder of Pentecost in the proclamation of Christ for the nations. Then there is the sheer delight of a father taking his daughter to get her hair styled, . . . and going dress shopping with his daughter. LaTonya Jackson's vibrant illustrations are a feast for the eyes. And the concluding Pentecost celebrations struck me as the way Pentecost ought to be celebrated! Most of all, this is a story for every child who feels 'different,' affirming the 'unique work of art' each one is."

"This children's book by Esau McCaulley explores how God has uniquely designed each of us in the way we are made, inspired by Psalm 139: 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made.' "