About the Holiday
Friendships and making new friends are so important to our happiness that this national holiday is actually celebrated three times a year—on January 19, July 19, and October 19. Making friends is one of the first skills little ones learn as they begin to join playgroups, music groups, daycare, and engage in other social activities. As children grow older, sharing stories about friendship, that model good examples of talking, playing, and collaborating with others is a wonderful way to expand a child’s social and emotional development. Sharing life with good friends a joy to be cherished. Start your little one off on the journey with today’s book!
Thank you to Charlesbridge and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me this book for review!
Acacia: A Rapunzel Tale
Written by JaNay Brown-Wood | Illustrated by John Joven
Young Acacia lived a solitary existence, “locked up in a too-tall tower” by Ma Gothel, who gave her nothing but a single storybook to fill her time. While the stories were “filled with tales of grand journeys and brave heroes,” they never presented a brave princess or represented her actual life. Acacia’s dream was to one day have her own adventure. Every day, when she heard Ma Gothel’s voice calling, “‘Acacia, Acacia. Do let your hair flow,” Acacia dropped her long braid from the window so Ma Gothel could climb up.
One day, Acacia nervously asked when she might be able to leave the tower. Ma Gothel flew into a rage, calling Acacia ungrateful for protecting her from the “big bad wolves, evil witches, and hungry giants” in the world. Acacia protested, showing her the wonderful things in her storybook. At this, Ma Gothel plucked the book from her hands and took it away.
The next morning, while Acacia recited a favorite story, a little girl in a red cape named Mahogany heard her. She watched as Ma Gothel called for Acacia to lower her hair. After Ma Gothel left, Mahogany repeated the phrase, and climbed up. Acacia was thrilled to meet Mahogany. The girls were so excited to be friends that they planned to get together the next day—and many days after that.
During their visits, Mahogany and Acacia hatched a plan while Mahogany assured her new friend that there were more good things than bad in the world. When their project was ready, Acacia had just one request—a new do! With a quick twist-out, Acacia’s hair sprang loose just as Ma Gothel shouted out her usual request. With Acacia’s new, empowering natural hairstyle she thwarted Ma Gothel, and escaped to live the adventurous life she’d always dreamed of.
JaNay Brown-Wood’s ingenious update of the Brothers Grimm “Rapunzel” fairy tale will excite modern-day kids as Acacia and Mahogany, from Brown-Wood’s Mahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale concoct a clever and self-propelled escape. Acacia and Mahogany’s fast friendship is joyfully supportive and Mahogany’s uplifting outlook on the world is welcome. Acacia’s quest for representation, independence, and adventure will resonate with all readers.
John Joven’s vibrant full-page and snapshot illustrations burst with personality, action, and fairy-tale visions as kids join Acacia in the sky-high tower dominated by the fear-mongering Ma Gothel. As Acacia and Mahogany plan Acacia’s escape, Joven presents two opposing world views, prompting kids to think and talk about their own perspective. Acacia’s unbraided hair cascades around her in a happy declaration of freedom and self-expression.
Fans of fairy tales, fractured fairy tales, and empowering stories of self-confidence and self-esteem, will treasure Acacia: A Rapunzel Tale. The book is a must for any public and school library collection and will be a favorite on home bookshelves as well.
Ages 4 – 7
Charlesbridge, 2026 | ISBN 978-1623543686
About the Author
JaNay Brown-Wood is a former early childhood professor and the author of several books for children, including Mahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale, Grandma’s Tiny House, and Imani’s Moon. She also contributed to the poetry anthologies Thanku: Poems of Gratitude and No World Too Big. Much of JaNay’s work is intended to celebrate casual diversity, primarily featuring Black characters. She lives in California. Visit her at janaybrownwood.com and janaybrownwood on Instagram
About the Illustrator
John Joven is the illustrator of Mahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale, The Plan for the Gingerbread House, and Preschool, Here I Come!. He grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and studied graphic design at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. He still lives there with his wife, Ana, and two children, Avril and Ian. When not illustrating, he enjoys spending quality time with his children, playing soccer with his friends, watching movies, and traveling. Visit him at johnjoven.com and johnjoven_illustrator on Instagram.
You can purchase Acacia: A Rapunzel Tale from these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Nobel | Bookshop
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