The book I wish I had as a kid!

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Frizzy is a middle grade, graphic novel that follows Marlene who is Latinx and is tired of her weekly trips to the salon to straighten her curls. She wants nothing more to be like her cool Tía Ruby who embraces her curls and fights back against European beauty standards.

Y’all this book is the book that I desperately wish that I had as a kid. This book discusses the whole “having good hair” conversation that happens way too often in families as well as the inherent anti-Blackness of thinking that natural curly hair can’t be beautiful.

This reminded me so much of my own upbringing. I was constantly told that I had “nappy hair” and was always in my sister’s shadow because she had “beautiful ringlet curls”. It took so many years to unlearn that trauma, and I am so happy that kids with curly hair can see themselves reflected in stories and be told that their hair is absolutely beautiful.

I loved all of the scenes where Marlene got to just be herself with her Tía Ruby. These scenes really showed Marlene gaining confidence to voice her concerns over her hair with her mom. Also, while I found Marlene’s mom frustrating at times, I completely understand why she fought back against curly hair especially in the context of corporate America.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Pub for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.