It was a symphony of Black hair in real life and on the page at the Andrew Freedman Home as Bronx author, Janelle Harper, celebrated the drop of her second picture book, “Salon Saturdays.”

Published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and vividly illustrated by Charlot Kristensen, Harper’s story follows the journey of a young Black girl and her first visit to the salon that also serves as a path to self-discovery through hair. The bright-eyed child is witness to her grandmother’s white dreadlocks, her mother’s brown afro and her sister’s pink braids and buns. The people around her wear aqua updos and green faux-hawks. So many looks to choose from.

The little girl was trepidatious and insecure, but was soon soothed by her family and stylist. “Their words calm my worries,” the l

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