This was just absolutely and utterly adorable. There is something just so heartwarming about a child learning to love herself, despite others trying to keep her down. I loved Marlene's relationship with her mom - although the two don't see eye to eye on everything, especially when it comes to hair, Marlene knows that when it comes to what's important, they can sit down and have an honest discussion about their feelings. Communication is super important, especially when it comes to kids and their parents - they need to feel safe enough to start the conversation and be vulnerable, or at least be truthful about their thoughts when approached. I already mentioned how much I liked Bousamra's art style, but I just want to highlight their ability to convey such emotion, whether happy, sad, lonely, angry, or anything else in between, so well, and that's super important in a graphic novel. Additionally, there needs to be a great narrative leading the art forward, and Ortega's storytelling does just that. This is aimed for a middle-grade audience, so I am not it's target, but I can still appreciate how many things it gets right. I really liked the commentary about feeling ostracized by your family. The story starts at a quince for Marlene's cousin, and when she's had fun and her hair has come a bit undone from the glamor of the salon, many of her family members, adults in particular, chastise her for looking unkempt. As a kid, you think you're family are the only ones who will love you inconditionally, no matter what, but when they start negaticely commenting on your appearence, or questioning your decisions, you start to question their love and feel unwelcome in a community where you're supposed to feel safe. However, in contrast, I loved how Marlene could rely on her aunt, Tía Ruby, and when wants to learn more about talking care of her hair, and embracing her natural curls for what they are, Ruby is immediately on board and walking her step by step through the process. It teaches that not every hair type for every person or ethnicity is the same, and therefore the technique may need to be tweaked or differ altogether, but there is nothing wrong with the way your hair is naturally, even if some people in society try to dictate what is and isn't a "normal" or "acceptable" style.
Overall, this graphic novel was just a delight to read, and I'm glad that the BookishFirst gods were looking out for me when I entered the raffle. I can't wait for kids, especially kids of color, to feel seen and represented in a story so beautiful, and that they understand they are beautiful as they are, no matter that certain members of society will tell them otherwise. *Thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher, First Second Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Overall, this graphic novel was just a delight to read, and I'm glad that the BookishFirst gods were looking out for me when I entered the raffle. I can't wait for kids, especially kids of color, to feel seen and represented in a story so beautiful, and that they understand they are beautiful as they are, no matter that certain members of society will tell them otherwise. *Thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher, First Second Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*