Let's talk about BODY POSITIVITY in Picture Books

It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal to kids. They're so free and creative as they explore the world around them. However, most children around age 9 start to have negative thoughts about their bodies. The books I have listed here may be pictures books, but the messages they convey are for everyone. 

This beautiful book is one I have been waiting for. I sat in on a webinar and listened to the author, Shelly Anand, talk about body positivity and how she struggled with body hair her entire life and decided to write a book about accepting it. 

• This book shows the struggles of a young girl with body hair. Her friends point it out to her and she immediately becomes self-conscious about it.
• This book also shows that body hair is normal. I love that the parents in this book use famous figures throughout time as well as family members to help Laxmi see that body hair is normal and that everyone has it. 
• I think my favorite part of this book is the fact that once Laxmi accepts it and shows her friends that it's okay to have it, they all want it. They use markers to draw on a mooch if they don't have one and the very last picture shows even the teacher sporting one!

In a world where perfection is so often flaunted and flaws are discouraged, this book is refreshing and sweet. A young girl's journey to accepting something she saw as a flaw at the beginning but then ended up being the envy of her entire class. 

This book shows just what having confidence and thinking positive thoughts can do for you. Abigail is a little bigger than some of her classmates and as a result gets bullied. 

• I loved being able to watch Abigail go from being a shy girl and letting her bullies keep her down to the more confident child she is at the end. 
• I love that the adults in her life are the ones encouraging her to think happier thoughts. "Think light!" As a result of this she starts to think of herself as different animals and it gives her the confidence she needs to preform better and be happier. 
• The ending made me laugh. Abigail knew that jumping from a higher height was going to make a big splash and she just goes with it, to the dismay of her bully and the delight of the rest of her class.

I love that in this book we see Abigail's journey to being happier as she accepts who she is and stops trying to be someone she is not.

This book is just one of those books that you have to read for yourself, so I won't give away any details. A celebration of love, family, tradition, and individuality, this book, with it's beautiful illustrations, will have you looking at that one feature that you were always insecure about and falling in love with it. 

Happy Reading!