Official Review: Marissa’s Scrunchie Collection

ciecheesemeister · Post by **ciecheesemeister** » 13 Dec 2020, 13:57

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Marissa’s Scrunchie Collection" by S.MLiteratureLLC.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Marissa’s Scrunchie Collection is a children’s book by S.MLiteratureLLC. The story features a young girl named Marissa who loves wearing bright, colorful clothes complemented by bright, colorful scrunchies. Marissa has an impressive collection of scrunchies. She enjoys showing them off to her good friend Shiloh when Shiloh comes over to play.

Marissa takes ballet class. After class one day, she discusses her thoughts on outfits for school picture day. The girls tell her that none of her ideas sound good. That night, Marissa goes through her closet and finds a green outfit that she thinks will work well. But the next day, she can’t find a green scrunchie to accompany the outfit. Marissa goes to school with her hair down and is very unhappy. Some of her classmates ridicule her “wild” hair.

The story has a few messages to consider. Marissa is black, and she has copious thick, curly hair. Even in modern times when people tend to think that racism is no longer an issue, it is, sadly, not uncommon to find news stories about black students being discriminated against for the natural texture of their hair.

Not long ago, there was a case where a cheerleading coach insisted that the sole black member of the squad take steps to make her hair match the style of the other girls on the squad. The other girls were Caucasian. The black girl’s hair had a markedly different texture from the hair of her squadmates. This demand was not only impractical but revealed blatant prejudice on the part of the cheerleading coach and the principal and school board members who upheld her decision. The girl was dismissed from the squad. The coach claimed the dismissal was not due to the girl’s ethnicity or athleticism but because of her mother’s behavior.1

Returning to the story, the behavior of certain of Marissa’s classmates may be due to either covert or overt prejudice. The girls making fun of Marissa may also be jealous of Marissa’s hair. Marissa has learned to try and tame her hair to fit in better. When the photographer compliments Marissa’s hair, she realizes that she is beautiful regardless of what her classmates say.

The story appears to be professionally edited. There are no errors in the text. The pictures are beautiful, and Marissa is a likable protagonist. Girls may relate to the story somewhat better than boys will, but the story is appropriate for all children.

There is nothing that I really disliked about the story, although I would have somewhat preferred a message that internal beauty is what really counts. Girls receive constant reinforcement of the idea that not being attractive in a certain very narrow way lowers their worth. However, it is also a positive thing to realize that beauty does not fit only the very rigid guidelines reinforced by both media and society, and the book does a good job of refuting that destructive message. I give Marissa’s Scrunchie Collection four out of four stars.

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Marissa’s Scrunchie Collection
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Eddy E · Post by **Eddy E** » 21 Dec 2020, 04:16

This is a lovely review. Its good to see a book bringing to light the racial issues even at the lowest level of just hair.

Mtibza eM · Post by **Mtibza eM** » 21 Dec 2020, 04:20

Thank you for such a detailed review. I am amazed at how a children's book could tackles such sensitive and the same time important topic such as racism.

Hazel Arnaiz · Post by **Hazel Arnaiz** » 21 Dec 2020, 05:28

It is good to have books that teach children to take pride in their race and ethnicity. I like how you added the news clip. It reinforces the fact that discrimination is a reality for some kids. Nice review! Thanks for the insights.

21 Dec 2020, 05:45

I am already in love with this book. There is beauty in being different and the kids need to be taught from an early age. Also, black people's hair is extremely versatile and that's a huge bonus. I enjoyed reading your review.

CAMN12304 · Post by **CAMN12304** » 23 Dec 2020, 04:17

Some racism views. Good book by the way. A children's book.

Judith Lloy · Post by **Judith Lloy** » 23 Dec 2020, 10:24

I can't wait to read this. Books like this are important for ALL kids to read so they can all learn to see the beauty in each person's unique features, personality, style, or taste. Great review. Whenever I read new stories about kids being persecuted because of thier hair it makes me so angry.