Acacia // A Rapunzel Tale

In this clever, contemporary Black twist on “Rapunzel,” Acacia makes a new friend and uses her hairand witsto escape.

A celebration of Black identity, empowering young girls to embrace and love themselves. A perfect storytime read for kids ages 4 to 7 years old.

Acacia has been locked away by Ma Gothel, left to wonder about the world beyond her tower walls. She spends her days reading stories about the outside until one day, Mahogany fromMahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Talehappens to find her tower. When Mahogany sees Acacia let down her long, twisted hair for Ma Gothel to climb, she returns to befriend the lonely girl.

Eventually the girls realize they can untwist Acacias hair in a way that will make it impossible to let the locks down for Ma Gothel. An escape plan from the tower unfolds, because friendshipand a dream to see the worldare powerful.

Ultimately Acacias Black hair is personal expression and her own super power.

JaNay Brown-Woodis a former early childhood professor and the author of several books for children, includingMahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale, Grandma’s Tiny House,andImani’s Moon. She also contributed to the poetry anthologiesThanku: Poems of GratitudeandNo World Too Big. Much of JaNay’s work is intended to celebrate casual diversity, primarily featuring Black characters. She lives in California.

John Jovenis the illustrator ofMahogany: A Little Red Riding Hood Tale, The Plan for the Gingerbread House,andPreschool, Here I Come!.He grew up in Bogot, 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. johnjoven.comIG: @johnjoven_ and @jjovenart

• Publisher: Charlesbridge
• Publish Date: September 08, 2026
• Pages: 32
• Language: English
• Type: Hardcover
• EAN/UPC: 9781623543686
• Dimensions: 8.9 X 11.4 X 0.4 inches | 1.0 pounds
• BISAC Categories: Kids