Colouring in has become the adult pastime phenomenon of recent times, since the stress-busting meditative qualities of the traditional wet summer holiday activity for children were recognised about 18 months ago. There has subsequently been an explosion in publishing intricate designs targeted at adults. The latest to hit the bookshops is a glorious celebration of black hair.

I Love My Hair is a hip, gorgeous doodle colouring of braids, coils and doodle dos. The book celebrates, strong confident women and explores how beautifully diverse, stylish, innovative and fun all types of hair can be.

The author Andrea Pippins (right) is an artist and designer, known for her blog, Fly, where she is an advocate for social justice and self-empowerment of young girls and women, inspired by social, political and cultural statements which can be made with hair.

After resigning from her teaching position at Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, to pursue her dream to work full-time as an artist and illustrator Andrea strongly believes that I Love My Hair happened because of taking a leap of faith and says of the book that “it is not only about fun colouring and self-love.” The beauty of the pictures and how "colourers" colour them in is certain to boost the self-esteem of many young Africans bombarded with western stereotypes of beauty.

Andrea will be attending a book signing event in London on Saturday January 23 for an afternoon of colouring  and mingling. Attendees will receive a goody bag including a copy of the book and goodies from independently owned black businesses.

In the meantime get colouring!

I Love My Hair
Author and Illustrator, Andrea Pippins, will be talking about and signing her new book, I Love My Hair: A Colouring book of Braids, Coils & Doodle Dos, which celebrates, strong confident women and explores how beautifully diverse, stylish, innovative and fun all types of hair can be.
23 Jan, 1 - 4pm. Tickets from £10.
The Jam Tree, 541 Kings Road - Chelsea
http://andreapippins.com