Tomiiko Baker

Tomiiko Baker grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, where her early life was shaped by creativity, self-expression but also a bit of isolation. Influenced by her mother’s work in cosmetology and childcare, she developed a strong appreciation for self-invention. She earned a degree in English Literature from the University of Iowa and built a career in technology, while continuing to nurture her passions for literature, children’s education, and Black beauty and hair. These interests come together in her debut picture book, What Makes Fern Curl?, which celebrates curiosity, identity, and self-acceptance through the story of a young girl discovering the science behind her curly hair.