Love Your Body

January 27, 2020
Originally published in Australia with Kickstarter funding, this thoughtfully compiled guide to body positivity and self-love provides definitions, affirmations, and guidance for “girls and those who identify as a girl.” A note to the reader sets a distinct tone of openness and acceptance, explaining that the volume is meant to comfort, guide, and empower. Soft illustrations in warm hues by Rossetti give context and power to the resonant messages of self-acceptance and individuality, celebrating a multitude of experiences. On one spread, two women maneuver their wheelchairs while playing a sport; another depicts an inclusive group, including a young hijabi woman embracing a girl with stretch marks and armpit hair who is wearing a crop top. The definition of puberty and explanations of concepts such as “self-love” are coupled with accessible self-care tips and techniques, from stretching and crafting to helping others and reciting affirmations. A concluding “Now What?” section suggests body-positivity and self-care practices, followed by a list of mental health resources. Thoughtfully designed and executed, this book carries an important message for readers of all ages. Ages 8–12.

March 27, 2020

Gr 3-7-This ode to body positivity features illustrations that depict confident girls ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century. Sanders highlights many of the issues young girls are facing and encourages readers to love themselves as they are. Rossetti's artwork uses hair color, fashion, and all other means of physical and ability diversity to create wonderful images of all kinds of girls. The text also includes suggestions on self-care. For example, toward the end of the book, a "Now What?" page advises girls who are experiencing negative thoughts to talk with a trusted friend or confidant. The advice is very practical and thoughtful. VERDICT Overall, a very beautiful book. The only drawback is that because it looks like a younger reader's picture book, some of the great content might not reach the audience that would benefit from the advice. Nevertheless, this is a terrific addition to any library.-Erin Olsen, Hunter College Elementary School, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
A picture book from Down Under that aims to uplift every body. A Kickstarter campaign funded this picture book, which Australian author Sanders hopes "will comfort...guide...and empower" readers--especially "girls and those who identify as a girl." Brazillian illustrator Rossetti endeavors to be inclusive, with depictions of a diverse range of bodies, including girls and women with a range of skin tones, hair textures and colors, and body types as well as a range of gender presentations and some visible disabilities. Some people have visible freckles, acne, body hair, cellulite, and stretch marks, and one person appears to have vitiligo. It is hard to track any individual characters from one spread to the next, but that isn't as necessary as it would be if the text had a narrative. It doesn't. Instead, this is a book that might best be described as a self-help picture book, filled with affirmations and explicit urgings toward self-care, self-love, and acceptance of others. The text also provides strategies for self-affirmation and for seeking help and support, though some tips are potentially exclusive of people with mobility disabilities and blind or deaf people. This edition's backmatter offers a list of U.S.-based support organizations, with a pointer to www.re-shape.info for resources in other countries. There's much to love here. (Picture book. 3-12)

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Starred review from February 15, 2020
Grades 4-8 *Starred Review* This is an important book about positive body image and self-affirmation that every young person should read, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The cartoon illustrations, all of girls, depict an amazing assortment of body types, and the universal message about accepting every unique and special aspect of every body, in the literal sense, comes through loud and clear. Readers are reminded to celebrate and be thankful for everything their bodies can do, whether they're playing sports or cuddling little brothers, and not to fret about things they wish their bodies could do. Ten realistic self-care tips are provided in the text and as a poster on the back of the book's jacket?they include connecting with nature, dressing up and strutting around, and finding a meaningful quote and using it as a mantra. More important, readers are encouraged to seek help from a trusted adult when they feel down about themselves and nothing seems to help. The author is a social worker based in Australia, and she offers a website with support resources ranging from mindfulness activities to lesson plans. The text addresses readers personally, and hopefully audiences just getting used to their bodies will internalize this important message.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)