Picture books are an amazing way to introduce a difficult or abstract concept to your child. One incredible trend that has been on the rise in the past few years is encouraging body positivity, understanding our differences, and helping children to recognize that every body is worth celebrating.
Check out the list below to find wonderful books from our collection that celebrate every body and encourage children to love themselves and be accepting of each other’s differences.
Laxmi's Mooch by Shelly Anand
After Laxmi's friend Zoe points out the hairs on her lip, Laxmi is very self-conscious until her East Indian parents help her to accept and celebrate her appearance.
Rock What Ya Got by Samantha Berger
An artist, displeased with her drawing, tries to make it better, but the figure, Viva, comes to life and proclaims that she is happy just as she is.
My Hair Is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera
After being teased yet again about her unruly hair, MacKenzie consults her neighbor, Miss Tillie, who compares hair care with tending her beautiful garden and teaches MacKenzie some techniques.
Abigail the Whale by Davide Cali
Abigail dreads swimming lessons. Every time she dives into the pool, she makes a big splash, and all the girls in her class shout, "Abigail's a whale!" Her swimming teacher takes her aside and points out that we can change how we see ourselves.
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder
Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors, with different kinds of hair, eyes, spots, scars, and more.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
A self-confident and strong young girl recounts how she shares her eyes—and so much more—with her mother, her amah and her little sister.
Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
When a friend at school creates a hurtful drawing, the boy turns to his family for comfort.
Lovely by Jess Hong
Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!
Some Bodies by Sophie Kennen
This sweet and inclusive book encourages young readers to acknowledge and accept differences, and offers the perfect opportunity to open up conversations about body acceptance.
Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor
Meet Zubi: a joyful Bangladeshi girl excited about her first day of school. But when Zubi sees her mother frowning in the mirror and talking about being "too big," she starts to worry about her own body and how she looks.
I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots by Lid’ya C. Rivera
This lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and loving the skin you're in will inspire all children to appreciate their spots or what makes them different.
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