14 of the Best Body-Positive Books for Kids

Playful illustrations feature toddlers loving their bodies from “arms that squeeze” to “bendy knees” and “tummy bump” to “waggle rump.” I can imagine some of the clever descriptions like “kissy lips” and “dancing hips” becoming catchphrases after a few reads.

This modern adaptation of the classic nursery rhyme celebrates the universal wonder of babies around the world, while depicting babies of different shapes, sizes and ethnicities.

This sweet illustrated verse might have been my family’s first foray into body-positivity: "Every day, everywhere, babies are born — fat babies, thin babies, small babies, tall babies, winter and spring babies, summer and fall babies." Perfect to share with new big brothers and sisters to see the many ways babies are loved “just as they are.”

This poem-in-a-book from trailblazing feminist bell hooks delicately imparts how our skin is simply a covering that you need to look beyond to understand the “me of me” and the “you of you.”

My 7-year-old adored these vibrant pages that portray people of every skin tone, shape, age, and hair type. In one memorable spread, all sorts of joyful ballerinas dance together in a studio, alongside the text “Round bodies, muscled bodies, curvy curves and straight bodies, jiggly-wiggly fat bodies. Bodies are cool!” Details like armpit hair, unibrows, scars, insulin pumps, wheelchairs, and hearing aids prompted lots of curious discussion. The message that “all bodies are good bodies” echoes throughout.

The founder of the body respect movement in Iceland wrote this ode to the incredible things bodies can do, like grow bigger, heal themselves, and tell us exactly what they need. The author, a clinical psychologist, partnered with the Cartoon Network and the Dove Self-Esteem Project with a free Steven Universe© downloadable book on body confidence you can personalize with your child.

Writer Michael Tyler penned this heartwarming work to explain discrimination to his young son. It’s written as a letter to kids, with silly, tongue-twisting verse that made this my favorite to read aloud. The text meaningfully reaches shape and size too (“It's not tall skin or short skin, or best in the sport skin; or fat skin or thin skin, you lose and I win skin.”)

When Zubi, an exuberant Bangladeshi girl, overhears peers and family members criticizing bodies for being “too big,” she starts to worry about her own size. This lively story zooms in on how size stigma is perpetuated and how to model body acceptance.

This illustrated book introduces the language of self-love and self-care to girls nearing puberty, with a focus of appreciating bodies with all their “imperfections.”

Hudi, a Mexican-Jewish middle schooler, is urged to lose weight by his doctors and parents. Hudi hilariously attempts to play team sports, cheered on by his imaginary mascot-friend Chunky. This full-color graphic memoir will appeal to every kiddo learning to be themselves while trying to meet external expectations.

Garvey doesn’t fit in — not at home where his dad wants him training for football, and not at school where he is bullied over his weight. With the help of a new friend, Garvey finds his voice and his way in this eloquent novel-in-verse, particularly powerful in the audiobook version.

Confusing changes are overwhelming Patricia “Sweet Pea” DiMarco. Her parents are divorcing, and her best friend has replaced her. Her well-intentioned mom has a fit when the clothing store doesn’t carry dresses in Sweet Pea’s large size. Through a stint substituting for the local newspaper’s advice columnist, Sweet Pea learns that “part of growing up means letting people and places change so you can find new ways to love them.”

This compelling novel feels like Judy Blume, updated with contemporary details like texting, the HeadsUp app and a YouTube cooking competition. Sarah is a basketball player struggling on and off the court with her changing body and unpredictable relationships. The story authentically explores disordered eating with constructive messages about body image.

A therapist, dietician, and pediatrician teamed up to craft this funny engaging workbook for teens on nutrition, stress, sleep, emotions, and body image. I loved the perspective shift this book gave me and found practical tips for my teen and our whole family. I’m thrilled that this trio will publish a parenting version of this book in March 2022.

The New York Times Book Review praises this free-verse novel for “confront[ing] diet culture and fat phobia head-on.” Ellie suffers under the “Fat Girl Rules” she’s developed to cope with being bullied and fat shamed. In eloquent verse, she shares her raw experiences as she finally sheds the Rules and confidently embraces being herself.