Body Positivity
Our children are constantly surrounded by images and messages about their bodies, both positive and negative. The books below offer positive messages about children and their bodies, promote self-esteem and present a diverse and inclusive picture of our world.
I hope you love the books I recommend! Please note that the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Books About Body Positivity
I Am Enough - this book features children from all different ethnic backgrounds and of different abilities. It’s full of positive affirmations, presenting the message that we are all enough, just as we are. The gorgeous illustrations will give you all the feels.
Just Ask! - this book explains so many different and important topics to children in clear and appropriate ways. In this book, readers will meet children who help them explain Asthma, allergies, Diabetes, Autism, blindness, deafness, Dyslexia, using a wheel chair, Tourette’s Syndrome and stuttering. I love the way each child in the book explains their needs and helps readers draw parallels to their own lives. Written by U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, who struggled to explain her diabetic needs to other children in her early life. This book is one of my new favorites!! Also available in Spanish.
We Toot: A Feminist Fable About Farting- is a hysterical rhyming book about the gas we all pass. My daughter and I read this book for the first time and could not stop laughing! Your little reader will enjoy the fun story and you’ll love the body-positive messages. This title topples the stereotype that girls don’t fart, and challenges girls to be proud of their bodies.
Her Body Can - I’m so in love with this book! It’s full of empowering messages about body positivity, girl power and self-love. Featuring gorgeous illustrations of all the things our incredible bodies can do. I love the way this book teaches us to embrace and love ourselves, exactly as we are. The rhymes on each page make it even more engaging. We need more size-inclusive books like this. **A very special thank you to East 26th Street Publishing for sending us a copy of Her Body Can.**
Happy In Our Skin - a sweet and simple celebration of all people and all families. Author Fran Manushkin brings the joy of being who you are to life on every page.
Not Quite Snow White - Tameika is a happy and talented little girl who sings and dances wherever she goes. She’s excited to audition for the role of Snow White in the school play but is filled with self-doubt when she hears other children calling her “chubby,” “too tall” and “too brown.” Tameika’s parents help her refocus, turning all of the negative comments around. I love the way this book shows readers how to channel negativity into positive action and, reminds us how destructive our hurtful words can be.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon - this is one I read every year in my classroom! Molly is the brave anti-bully, walking proudly and embracing who she is, “flaws” and all.
The Skin You Live In - another great rhyming book! This one talks about how wonderful our skin is, because it allows us to laugh, play, jump, grow, cuddle and so many other things. One of my favorite passages describes the beautiful variety of skin tones with:“your coffee and cream skin, your warm cocoa dream skin, your chocolate chip, double-dip sundae supreme skin.”
One Big Heart - This book celebrates our similarities and differences with lovely rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations. I love the way this book honors the beautiful diversity of all children.
Perfectly Norman - When Norman sprouts wings one day he’s afraid of what others will think of them. He tries to hide them from everyone. He hides inside of a winter coat, missing out on his life with his friends and family. When he finally decides to show everyone his wings he is overjoyed to find others like him who love to fly.
I’m Gonna Like Me - is a fun and sassy story by Jamie Lee Curtis (yes, the same one from the Halloween movie series). It’s full of rhymes about self-love and pride.
Sulwe - written by Academy-Award winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o. Sulwe’s skin is “the color of midnight” but she longs to look different, with lighter skin, like her mother and sister. A journey through the night sky opens her eyes and helps her to recognize both her outer and inner beauty. I love the way this book addresses the topic of prejudice in ways that children can understand. The gorgeous illustrations, by Vashti Harrison, will captivate and inspire your young reader.
Mermaid Dreams - Meriam, is a spirited mermaid who hates going to bed. After a long day of adventures under the sea, she’s got seashells and seaweed in her hair, a fish in her ear and a crab behind her neck. Meriam tells her mom all about the fun she had that day and simultaneously learns the importance of taking good care of her long hair and body.
You’re Here For A Reason and You’re All Kinds of Wonderful- are two great books by Nancy Tillman. They’ll warm your heart with messages about how important we all are, and how the world would not be complete without each of us. Available in Simplified Chinese.
Honeysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color - This is a fabulous book about embracing and celebrating who we are! Simone is biracial and wants to find a color of her own. She asks her parents “what color am I?” and explores the colors around her. She decides on the color “honeysmoke,” which celebrates both her mother’s and father’s heritages.
Dear Girl and Dear Boy- two fabulous books! Each is written as a letter to that special child in your life, full of empowering messages and affirmations about our bodies and abilities.
Mirror- is such a special book! Have you ever seen your child looking in the mirror, lost in his/her own reflection? Mirror celebrates these special moments, in which our children find themselves in their reflections and explore all that they can be. Follow our main character as she goes from baby to big kid, growing into a confident, powerful and capable young girl.
Ollie’s Outie - When Ollie falls down at recess one day, her friends notice that her belly button looks a bit different from theirs. The school nurse explains that Ollie has an umbilical hernia, which is no big deal at all. I like the way this story describes both the similarities and differences between Ollie and her friends
Magnificent Homespun Brown - this gorgeous book is a celebration of pride and self-esteem. Told from the perspective of a mixed race little girl, she proudly sings the praises of the “deep secret brown” of her eyes, the “amber brown” of her hair and the honey her aunt harvests. This book is pure poetry!
The Big Book About Being Big - What does it mean to be big? Is it just about growing up and being tall? Or does it mean being older? This fun and thoughtful book is full of ideas for little kids to make big differences. From helping others and thinking globally to using your imagination. I love the way that this story talks about all of the small steps that add up to a big impact!
Odd Dog Out - In a world full of dogs that are all the same, one dog stands out. She looks different and marches to the beat of her own drum. The message in this fun, colorful and engaging book is “be who you are," because there’s no one else like you!
The Proudest Color - I’m absolutely LOVING this book! Zahra sees the world in vivid color. She sees “razzle-dazzle pink” when she’s happy, deep blue when she’s sad, and purple when she’s nervous. But when she’s proud she feels a beautiful brown in her heart, because it’s the color she sees when she looks in the mirror. It’s the color of her abuela, her parents, and beloved members of her community. I love the way this book empowers children of color and helps readers explore a wide range of feelings.
Beautifully Me - This book is truly a breath of fresh air. When Zubi overhears her family making critical comments about their own bodies, she begins to question her own. Her mother is disappointed in the way that her sari fits, her sister explains that she’s “on a diet” in an effort to be prettier, and is no longer eating rice. These messages begin to shape how Zuri feels about herself, making her all the more vulnerable when she overhears a classmate calling another child “fat.”
As I read Zuri’s story with my own children, I hesitated each time I saw the word “fat” on the page. The thought of saying this word, and sharing all of the critical comments made by characters in the book felt deeply uncomfortable. I’ll admit, I thought about closing the book and moving on to another story. But my daughter was not going to let that happen! So we read on, and I began to think about why I was feeling so uncomfortable. I started to think about what I’d be teaching my kids if I were to stop reading it. It was precisely this uncomfortable feeling and my attitude towards my own body image that I did not want to pass on to my children.
But I’m very glad that I kept reading because this story is amazing. With gorgeous vivid illustrations, thought-provoking text, and rich details about Zubi’s Bangladeshi heritage, we’re invited into a world where parents and children alike admit when they’ve made mistakes, and apologize. We see the impact of our words, and the ways in which they shape those around us. We learn how to empower our kids and inspire them to love themselves just as they are.
Leilong’s Too Long - This book is adorable and I’m so excited to add it to our collection. What happens when Leilong’s long tail starts destroying homes in the big city? He can’t bring kids to school on his back anymore, and he begins to feel like he doesn’t belong. For any child ( or grown-up) who has ever felt out of place, this sweet story will remind you that you’re not alone and that great opportunities can come about when you least expect them.
All Bodies Are Good Bodies - I so enjoyed reading this bold, colorful, and vibrant book. With playful rhymes and empowering text, this book celebrates children from their heads to their toes.
Books About Loving Your Hair
Princess Hair - a fun and positive book about the many different kinds of hair that princesses have. Author & illustrator, Sharee Miller, celebrates princess with puffs, braids, twists, and every type and texture of hair under the sun. This is a fantastic book for every princess in your life!
My Kinky Coily Hair - an absolutely beautiful book! Meet Naomi and follow her on her journey, as she learns to love and celebrate who she is. We first meet Naomi as she looks into the mirror and wishes she had hair like her friends. By the story’s end, she’s a strong, confident young girl, who is empowered by her grandmother’s words: “these coils of yours show how strongly we are connected in our community, with our culture and with our ancestors.” I love the way this book shows readers that just a small shift in our mindset can make a big impact. A special thank you to author, Ms. Aisha Rice, for sharing this book with me!
Happy Hair - a great book for toddlers and 2’s. A celebration of hair of all styles with the message “I love being me!” on every page.
Mira’s Curly Hair - Mira has curly hair but wishes that it was smooth and straight, like her mother’s. One day they get caught in the rain, and Mira is surprised to see her mother’s hair beginning to curl, just like hers. From that day on, both of them embrace the beauty of their natural curls. This beautiful book helps us, as parents, to understand how our words and actions influence the ways in which our children see themselves.
Hair Love - This book could not be more perfect! Zuri’s father is determined to give her the perfect hairstyle. I LOVE that this book features a daddy/daughter duo, and also ends with strong messages about body positivity and family.
Don’t You Dare Brush My Hair - this fun and interactive is perfect for your toddler, or 2-3 year old who hates hair care (like my daughter!). I love the textural elements of this book and the silly events of the story.
My Hair - a fun rhyming book for kids 3+ Follow this spunky little girl as she explores different hairstyles to find just the right one for her birthday.
Birdie’s Big Girl Hair - As Birdie prepares for her haircut she imagines all of the different hairstyles she might get. She decides on a style that is just like her mother’s and is so proud of her fancy, fluffy new ‘do. She’s excited to show it off at school but it’s quickly ruined in the rain. When she shares her disappointment with her mother, she reminds Birdie that just being herself is the only look that matters.
My Hair is Magic! - Could there be a better message of self-love than: “my hair is free, my hair is me! my hair has power, my hair has spirit. Every way I wear it.” I love the way our main character celebrates her hair and identity with confidence, humor, and pride. With absolutely stunning illustrations, this book will draw you right in.
Books About Wearing Glasses
I’ve worn glasses since I was in the 1st grade, so I have a soft spot for books that help kids adjust to wearing glasses for the first time.
Douglas, You Need Glasses - is a sweet and funny book about a dog named Douglas. Douglas can’t see very well and has lots of mishaps because of it. When his best friend, Nancy, takes him to the eye doctor, he finds the perfect pair of glasses and finally sees the world clearly for the first time.
The Pirate of Kindergarten - When Ginny begins kindergarten but she has trouble focusing, reading and navigating the classroom. She sees two of everything. She knows that half of what she sees is real, and that the other half is not, but which is which? When she learns that she has double vision, the solution to her big problem is simple, an eye patch! She begins to see clearly and becomes the unstoppable pirate of kindergarten.
Specs for Rex - Rex dislikes his big red glasses and does everything he can to hide them. He tries to hide them behind his hair and even tries to hide himself at school. Will anything help him change his mind? Also available in Spanish and Chinese editions.
Books for Grown-Ups & Teens
Body Positive - I can honestly say that this book blew me away! Author, Emily Lauren Dick, speaks candidly about all things related to body image. She deconstructs the messages that women and girls receive from the media about their bodies. She instead presents unretouched images of women of all shapes, sizes, cultures, and abilities. These women shine, in all of their natural beauty, sharing their wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, scars, and curves. Full of empowering messages and thoughtful writing prompts, this practical guide has got it all!
Looking for more great titles? Check out my posts about self-esteem & girl power!
Girl Power Books
Books About Gender, Identity & Orientation
Self-Esteem-Boosting Books
Quick Tips:
Take a close look at the characters and images in the media that your child views, including movies, TV, books, social media, iPads, video games etc. Notice how the bodies of women, men, girls and boys are presented. Are these positive or negative representations? Do they present people from a wide variety of cultures?
If the media your child consumes largely relies on stereotypes or 1 kind of “perfect” body type, consider making changes to what they’re seeing/watching/playing etc.
Review the books before you read them, this will help you decide if they're right for your child’s age and attention span.
While reading, take your time, let your child take in the words and pictures.
As you read, listen carefully to the questions that come up. You'll gain insight into how your child is thinking and feeling based on what they say.
If questions come up, stop reading and listen. Don’t worry about having all of the answers. Just listening and acknowledging their feelings will make them feel loved and supported. Here are a few ideas of what to say when you’re not sure how to answer:
“I didn’t know that, I’m glad you told me.”
“How does that make you feel?”
“That’s a good question”
“I was wondering that too.”
“I’m going to think about that, can we talk about this again?”
Be sure to share any concerns about your child with a pediatrician, child’s teacher or caregiver. These professionals are a great resource and can offer advice or additional guidance.
Looking for more info? here’s a great article from Parents.com
