Nicole Marshall

Ebony and Her Crown: An inspirational poem about positive self-image Nicole Marshall

This story was written to inspire young children to love the skin they're in. Ebony and her crown highlight the perspective of a curious toddler having a big afro and is uncertain about the nature of her hair. Ebony then turns to her mother for answers. In this mother daughter duo, Ebony's mother helps her to understand that her hair is meant to be big and wild, and she should wear it with pride. This book is a reminder that social conditioning starts when you are young and follows you into your adult years. When children are able see themselves represented as the main characters in books and television shows, the experience can boost self-esteem and self-worth. Lack of representation can be harmful to a child and can impact their self-image and how they interact with others. A positive self-image can boost our mental, social, and emotional well-being.