This picture book biography of Mae Reeves (1912-2016) tells the story of a significant figure in our country’s history. Reeves was a successful milliner, civic organizer, and Black business owner in a time when these accomplishments were more difficult than they are now. Items from Reeve’s millinery shop including many of her stunning hats are on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

Reeves made hats for the biggest names of the day (Lena Horne, Marion Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald), as well as for wealthy White women and less well-off Black women. The narrative puts Reeve’s accomplishments into historical and cultural context: “Hats were a way for these queens (Black women) to be SEEN, shining a light on the dignity they always had.”

Rhuday-Perkovich includes many specifics from Reeve’s story, putting Reeve’s societal and personal struggles and successes into context, so the reader understands how remarkable she was. Occasionally, the details get in the way of the narrative’s flow, but the specifics are fascinating.

The attractive, stylized illustrations support the text but don’t do justice to the actual hats. In the back matter are interviews with Reeve’s daughter and the NMAAHC Head of Collections, as well as photographs of some of Reeve’s hats in the museum collection. The photographs of her gorgeous hats help the reader understand the artisanship involved in creating them and why she is such an icon.

This could be an excellent story for students in middle school studying the Civil Rights era. The depth of the story makes it a good fit for students in grades 3-6, interested in history and finery. It could be an accompaniment to a maker activity about hats. If possible, share photographs of the actual hats.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco