WANDA THE BRAVE

Sometimes kids must speak out until adults listen.

In this follow-up to Wanda (2021), co-authored by Mathabo Tlali and also set in South Africa, the protagonist and her mom go to O’Natural, a hair salon for children run by Aunty Ada. Wanda has brought a picture of a complicated, “pineapple-looking,” braided hairstyle she wants, but Aunty Ada dismisses Wanda’s wishes because the salon is busy. Aunty Ada slathers Vaseline and then cream on Wanda’s hair, and it starts to burn. She and Nkiruka, another girl, protest, but Ada tells them “ubuhle buyasetyenzelwa,” isiXhosa (a South African Bantu language) for “One works hard for beauty,” and insists that the straightening chemicals remain in their hair longer despite the pain. Both girls confide that their teachers call their hair a bird’s nest when they wear it natural, and together they sing a protest song to get Aunty Ada to wash out the relaxer. The two are successful, their determination conveying a crucial lesson both to Aunty Ada and to readers about bodily autonomy. This story sheds light on a common beauty practice of chemically straightening Black hair—a process that often causes painful scalp burns. This brightly colored picture book, dominated by pinks and purples, showcases the beauty of brown skin and natural Black hair, as well as the versatility of hair, and spotlights beauty practices common throughout the African diaspora. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Whether a mirror or window for readers, this culturally rich story exemplifies the importance of self-advocacy.