As Black History Month continues, Sir Lenny Henry has been visiting school up and down the country, promoting and sharing his latest book.
One of Britain’s most celebrated celebrities, he surprised school pupils with an exclusive reading of his latest children’s book this week. ‘Tyrone’s Cool Crown’ is a rhyming story about a boy who loves his long hair - but his mum and grandad decide it is finally time for a trip to the barber.
His grandad Cleveland tells him about all the different hairstyles, and he eventually overcomes his fear of having his haircut. The Dudley-born star read to children from eight different primary schools in Brighton on Monday, after which he said: “I remember as a kid having a different style of hair to my friends.
“I had Afro-Caribbean hair, so it was very curly. I was very scared of the barber, I didn’t know what they would do to my hair.
“My dad would make me go. He had to hold on to me otherwise I would have run out of the barber shop.
“But when I got in there, the barber was the nicest, kindest and most gentle person. When Tyrone has his hair cut in a nice shape, he feels fantastic.
“You might not want to do it, but you’ll be so glad you did it.” The book’s illustrator Salomey Doku showed children live drawing sessions of the characters.
Sir Lenny, best known as a children's TV star, actor and comedian, said he was inspired to start writing from when he read children’s books to his daughter. “It was difficult in the early 90s trying to find books where there were kids who looked like my daughter or people like me,” he said.
"There was one book that I think we read every single night. I loved that book and vowed that if I ever had the chance write my own books, I would try to feature characters who looked like me and my daughter in them.
Carolynn Bain, owner of Afrori Books, said: “Afrori Books is excited to partner with Sir Lenny, Macmillan Children’s Books and LUSH to celebrate Black hair.
“This event is all about ensuring that children with afro and textured hair love their crowns, just like Tyrone, and that everyone celebrates the beauty of Black hair.” Sir Lenny said: "If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.
“It’s important to have these things where you see yourself on the front cover.” Carol added: “We know that when children and the wider public see this kind of representation, it truly makes a difference.”
