I loved the discussion of anti-Blackness (specifically internalized, but also externalized) and the stigma against natural hair. And how straight hair is seen as "more professional" or "presentable" and curly or coily hair is seen as "sloppy" or "wild."

Marlene's mom thinks she's protecting her daughter from getting made fun of by taking her to the salon every week to straighten her hair. She intends to help her daughter but doesn't realize that she's actually harming her daughter. Her mom's parents taught her to hate her natural hair, and now she's passing that belief onto Marlene.

The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is heartwarming! 

Some favorite quotes:

"Adults are such weirdos. They say stuff like, 'It's what's on the inside that counts!' Blah, blah, blah. But then the one thing they can't stop talking about is looks! Did you see what she was wearing? I would never let my daughter out like that. When I was young, we would never dare leave our houses looking like that."

"I wondered why our best meant not ourselves and why adults always told me so many things that didn't add up. Be yourself, honesty is the best policy, and then don't be yourself, be what other people want. I wanted to be myself. I wanted that to be enough and for everyone to love me. Especially my mom."