From writer Jamila Rowser and artist Robyn Smith comes a
captivating graphic novel love letter to the beauty and endurance of
Black women, their friendships, and their hair.
Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim,
Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story
comics that follow these young women through the ups and downs of
their daily lives in the Bronx.
The book takes its title from the wash day experience shared by Black
women everywhere of setting aside all plans and responsibilities for
a full day of washing, conditioning, and nourishing their hair. Each
short story uses hair routines as a window into these four
characters' everyday lives and how they care for each other.
Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith originally kickstarted their critically
acclaimed, award-winning slice of life mini comic, Wash Day, inspired
by Rowser's own wash day ritual and their shared desire to see more
comics featuring the daily lived experiences of young Black women.
Wash Day Diaries includes an updated, full color version of
this original comic—which follows Kim, a 26-year-old woman living
in the Bronx—as the book's first chapter and expands into a graphic
novel with short stories about these vibrant and relatable new
characters.
In expanding the story of Kim and her friends, the authors pay
tribute to Black sisterhood through portraits of shared, yet deeply
personal experiences of Black hair care. From self-care to spilling
the tea at an hours-long salon appointment to healing family rifts,
the stories are brought to life through beautifully drawn characters
and different color palettes reflecting the mood in each story.
At times touching, quiet, triumphant, and laugh out loud funny, the
stories of Wash Day Diaries pay a loving tribute to Black joy
and the resilience of Black women.