Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes it can be hard for kids to find characters that look like themselves. That's why I've compiled a list of my five favorite books with body positive messages for every kid.
By Vashti Harrison
New York: Little, Brown, and Company, 2023. Picture Book.
This is a little picture book about a big girl. Although she has a "a big laugh and a big heart and very big dreams" as time goes on people treat her poorly because of her size. The criticisms begin to stick to her and change how she perceives herself as she learns how to overcome other's opinions of her. This book is for everyone who has ever been told that they are too big, but be sure to have a tissue handy, it's a real tear-jerker.
Written by Ashlee Latimer
Illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book.
Francis loves words, which means that her favorite day at school is Tuesday because that's word day. Every week, her teacher Mr. Prewett chooses a different letter as letter of the week. On the week for the letter "F" though, kids in her class point out that "F" stands for fat, just like Francis. Up until that point, Francis had never thought of fat as an insult but after that she couldn't get it out of her mind. Luckily, her father talks to her about a new word, possible, and they discuss the possibilities around her until she begins to feel better. For any child who wants to learn self-acceptance, or who has ever been bullied, this is a wonderful read.
By Tyler Feder
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2021. Picture Book.
This nonfiction poem book talks about all of the different types of bodies in the world. Whether bodies are big or small, freckled, dotted, hairy, or aging, all bodies are cool. The illustrations are the highlight of this book, with many different types of people of all shapes, sizes, and colors filling up the pages. This book is a great reminder that our bodies are amazing, no matter what they look like.
New York: Balzer + Bray, 2023. Fiction. 279 pages.
Have you ever watched the movie Heavyweights and thought to yourself "this is good and all, but I wish that Ben Stiller was a vampire?" Well, look no further then Camp Sylvania! Maggie has been looking forward to this summer for years. She finally got off of the wait list and gets to attend Camp Rising Star. Except just before she sets off for camp, she finds out that her parents have instead decided to send her to Camp Sylvania instead. The fat camp is headed by famous wellness influencer Sylvia Sylvania, who has come up with a new "scarlet diet" in which you are only allowed to eat red foods. That's not the only weird thing going on either, the kids are being asked to donate blood every day. Will Maggie and her friends be able to figure out what's going on at camp, and more importantly, make it out alive? You'll have to read to find out!
By Lisa Fipps
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2021. Fiction. 244 pages.
You may have already heard of this novel-in-verse, which was honored for the Printz award in 2022. If not, you are definitely in for a treat! Eleven-year-old Ellie always lives by the "Fat Girl Rules" to avoid being bullied, like she has been since she was five. Things aren't much better at home, where her mom is constantly telling her that she needs to get bariatric surgery to lose weight. Luckily she finds allies in her father, her new neighbor, and her therapist. If your looking for a moving tale of self-reflection for older elementary readers, look no further than Starfish.
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