Children learn some of their strongest life lessons in the simplest places. A classroom. A hallway. A conversation with a friend. Dont Touch My Hair (Mahogany Youth Awareness Academy) takes one of those everyday moments and turns it into a warm, meaningful story that helps young readers understand respect in a way they can actually practice.
Written by Mya H Edwards, this first book invites families to talk about culture, boundaries, and kindness through a bright character who loves being herself.
Getting to Know Mahogany, One Hairstyle at a Time
Mahogany Edwards is full of personality, and the book makes sure readers feel that from the start. She is the kind of child who walks into school with confidence, excitement, and a little sparkle in her step. One of her favorite things in the world is her hair, and she enjoys wearing it in different styles that match her mood.
Some days her hair is big and curly like a fluffy cloud, bold and beautiful. Other days it is braided with beads that click as she moves, adding sound and rhythm to her day. Those details are fun, but they also carry meaning. Her hair is a form of self-expression, and it represents cultural pride that deserves to be treated with care.
Mahogany’s world feels lively and comforting. Her puppy Gizmo brings extra joy, and her friends add warmth, laughter, and the feeling that she belongs. The story is filled with small moments that feel familiar to kids, which makes the message land naturally. It feels like a real day at school, just with more color and heart.
When Curiosity Crosses a Line at School
The most important moment in Dont Touch My Hair happens when a new teacher tries to touch Mahogany’s hair without asking. It is a situation that many children can understand instantly. Someone reaches into another person’s space. Someone forgets that personal boundaries exist. The result is discomfort, even if the intention was not harmful.
This is where the book becomes especially valuable. Mahogany responds with kindness and courage, showing young readers that they can speak up clearly without losing their calm. She reminds everyone that her hair is special and deserves respect. More importantly, she shows that respect begins with one simple action: asking permission.
Children watching this unfold learn something powerful. People are not objects to explore. Hair is not a public display. Culture is not a costume. It is personal, and it deserves dignity. The story also helps kids understand that curiosity is normal, yet it should always come with manners and consideration.
Mahogany’s response creates a learning moment for the whole class. It encourages classmates to appreciate differences instead of treating them like something strange. It also teaches that mistakes can become opportunities, especially when someone is willing to listen and grow.
The Heart Behind the Lesson and the Author’s Purpose
At its core, this book is about empathy. It encourages children to recognize how their actions affect others, even in moments that feel small. It shows that kindness is not just being friendly. Kindness is also being thoughtful. It is pausing before touching, asking before assuming, and respecting what belongs to someone else.
The story also supports confidence in a gentle way. Mahogany does not shrink back when her boundary is crossed. She stands up for herself with a voice that is clear and steady. That kind of example matters for children who are still learning how to express discomfort. It gives them words, courage, and reassurance.
Parents and educators can also use this book as a bridge for conversations. It opens the door to discussing consent, personal space, cultural respect, and identity. These topics can feel big, yet this story presents them through a child-friendly lens that feels safe and approachable.
Mya’s background adds even more meaning to the book’s message. She is an Army veteran and an educator with over 30 years of teaching experience across all grade levels. Her classroom experience shines through in the realistic school setting and the way children respond to learning moments. She is passionate about creating stories that inspire cultural awareness, confidence, and positive character development.
Her personal journey also reflects perseverance and growth. Mya began writing her first book in high school and continued writing throughout adulthood. She studied English Education for her Bachelor degree and discovered that journaling helped her manage stressful situations. After teaching as a substitute and facing major life changes, she joined the military and continued writing privately during training. One phrase stayed with her through it all: “never quit.” Today, she is healing from an injury while completing her doctoral degree, and her love for teaching and writing has come full circle.
Closing Reflections on a Story Kids Will Carry Forward
Dont Touch My Hair is a joyful children’s book with a message that reaches beyond the pages. It teaches respect in a way that feels natural, and it celebrates cultural identity with warmth and pride.
Mahogany’s story reminds young readers that boundaries deserve to be honored, and every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and understood.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
Hi, my name is Mya Edwards. I am healing from an injury and completing my doctoral degree. I have always been a writer, having written my first book in high school. I continued to write through my years of adulthood and majored in English Education for my Bachelor’s Degree. I found that writing, especially journaling, helped me to deal with stressful situations.
Please tell us about your journey.
Starting off as a substitute teacher teaching High School English, I ended up turning my journal into a book. I still have a few copies, and once in a while, I read it over, which makes me laugh with joy. Looking at the mistakes, but enjoying the humor I found in stressful situations. After continuing getting laid off as a teacher and a relationship ending, I joined the military. During my military training, I still wrote, but in secret. One of the phrases, we learned was to “Never Quit.” I found something else that I could enjoy. I would say my life made a full circle. I am back teaching and writing again.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
The strategies that helped me become successful in my journey are to never give up. I have always been self-motivated, coming up with a variety of businesses that I think kept me from being bored.
Any message for our readers
My message for our readers is to never quit and to rely not on your own strength but on Jesus’.
Thank you so much, Mya, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
