Natalie's Hair was Wild!, written by Laura Freeman, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Zeena G.
Summary: This story depicts a young girl, Natalie, and how she was allowing her hair to grow wilder and wilder everyday. She did not like brushing, taming or doing her hair. She allows animals to come in and live in her continuously growing hair. Her was really wild just how Natalie liked it! At first it's just small animals like birds and butterflies. Soon Natalie's hair takes in even a Zebra and a giraffe. Eventually, she takes in an elephant and a tiger! Over time, Natalie's hair becomes too wild and the animals become too disruptive. She calls in the professionals: zoo keepers and firefighters to help get rid of all the animals. “When finally finished, Natalie was relieved. She understood that the hair on your head is no place for a zoo.”

Straight Talk for Librarians: Freeman’s book has many literary elements that emerging readers can use in the classroom. Young readers can understand the importance of literary devices such as onomatopoeia and varying tones. The different illustrations and colors aid the literary devices. Throughout the pages, there were many onomatopoeias that were bolded and colored to add exaggeration. Each of the colors of the words matches the illustration to further help the emerging readers understand. Additionally, the book can teach emerging readers the importance of hair care and maintaining hair. Natalie’s hair was beautiful because of the curls and unruliness of her hair. Through the humor of her book, young readers can also understand that it is okay to ask for help when needed. Some of the reviews mentioned that this was not a positive way to portray black hair. However, given that the author was drawing upon her own experiences, it seems that in this case "wild" is a positive word by just letting your natural hair be. There is nothing wrong with it. Enjoy it and love it.