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Readers ready for the magical trip of a lifetime can take a cosmic journey through the solar system with Malik and his magic dreadlocks. This hybrid fantasy and concept picture book features a young boy’s pride in his cultural hairstyle and his love of creating and enjoying fantasy worlds. It also dispenses information relevant to science and astrology.
After Malik experiences being teased and bullied about his dreadlocks, he devises an adventurous tale on his way to school that gives him permission to be totally himself. One of Malik’s locks grows so long that it reaches the stars, and in particular, the planets in our solar system. Each planet has a message for Malik that is roughly based on astrological and mythological attributes. For example, Mars, known in ancient Roman mythology as a god of war and in astrology as a symbol of determination, tells one of Malik’s dreadlocks to be strong and never give up. Saturn, known as a stern taskmaster in astrology and a god of agriculture and time in the Roman era, tells Malik to work hard because hard work pays off. Though Malik visits the planets out of their linear order, it is logical to assume that their orbits around the sun may cause this. Malik’s message from Earth comes last. He is given a rocket ship to return home and told not to let what people say bother him.
The colorful picture book spreads are brightly lit with stars in a free-flowing, boho style. The magic dreadlocks help Malik on his journey by communicating with the heavenly bodies, giving him the confidence that his dreadlocks are positive and an acceptable part of his chosen identity. Any child who has experienced teasing or bullying about a physical attribute that makes them seem different from other kids will find comfort in this assuring tale.