{"id":3263,"date":"2024-12-21T05:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-21T10:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=3263"},"modified":"2025-01-07T13:30:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T18:30:53","slug":"books-to-help-kids-build-a-positive-body-image","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/books-to-help-kids-build-a-positive-body-image\/","title":{"rendered":"Books To Help Kids Build a Positive Body Image"},"content":{"rendered":"

A year or so ago, when my older son was growth-spurting \u2014 and sliding into his Awkward Years \u2014 he said something so out of the blue (well, to my ears) that I can\u2019t stop thinking about it. \u201cJust look <\/em>at my legs!\u201d he moaned, with real anguish. \u201cThey are so fat.<\/em>\u201d For the record, my boy is big (always has been), but he is not \u201cfat.\u201d What made his pronouncement ring uncomfortably in my ears was the fact that I thought this didn\u2019t happen to boys!<\/em><\/p>\n

Clearly, I was wrong. And yet when I started searching for books to help boys deal with distorted body images, I found \u2026 not a lot. (Plenty for girls, which is understandable). The fact is, our kids \u2014 all of them\u2014 are faced daily with unrealistic images of the human body, and some are more vulnerable (thanks to temperament or age or a host of other factors) to making damaging comparisons with their own bodies. Barbie\u2019s Amazonian frame, ever-thinner runway models, notorious magazine and advertisement Photoshopping: What the media presents to girls is well-known. Guess what? Boys are catching up: It\u2019s now commonplace for male models to be shirtless (and more), baring impossibly chiseled torsos. Male action figures, too, have physiques that, if transposed onto adult men, would dwarf the buffest body builder. The point is, all <\/em>our children are growing up with distorted images of what makes a woman or a man sexy, hot, desirable, cool.<\/p>\n

One thing a smart parent can do is limit exposure to these images, but that can be (depending on your child\u2019s age) about as unrealistic as Barbie\u2019s waist size. Start as early as you can by presenting them with positive counter messages, such as those found in these books.<\/p>\n

yes no For Kids 9780593112625 Bodies Are Cool<\/i> by Tyler Feder <\/p>\n

Young children are fascinated with their bodies, and it\u2019s never too early to teach them body positivity. This delightful picture book celebrates the many shapes, sizes, and colors of bodies and encourages readers to appreciate their own body\u2019s unique qualities.
\n(Ages 3 \u2014 5)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780593426944 Most Perfect You<\/i> by Jazmyn Simon, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony <\/p>\n

Irie thinks she isn\u2019t as perfect as other little girls and confides her insecurities to her mom. In response, Irie\u2019s mom lovingly shares the wonderful things about her, from her beautiful smile to her generous heart. This confidence-boosting book is an excellent choice for any kid who thinks they don\u2019t fit the \u201cperfect\u201d mold.
\n(Ages 4 \u2014 8)<\/i><\/p>\n

RELATED: 12 Picture Books About Body Positivity<\/a><\/p>\n

no no 9780744085778 A Kids Book About Body Image<\/i> by Rebecca Alexander <\/p>\n

This nonfiction book gives young readers a clear explanation of what body image is and how to manage it. It encourages kids to look past outside appearances of themselves and others and appreciate people\u2019s hearts, minds, and personalities.
\n(Ages 5 \u2014 9)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780593847107 A Kids Book About Beauty<\/i> by Ashley Graham <\/p>\n

Similar to A Kids Book About Body Image<\/i>, this nonfiction title redefines beauty. Rather than focusing on our looks, true beauty means embracing the right mentality. Young readers will learn that beauty is for everyone and means much more than someone\u2019s appearance.
\n(Ages 5 \u2014 9)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780593465752 Sparkle<\/i> by Lakita Wilson <\/p>\n

Middle school is challenging for any kid, but when Sparkle gets diagnosed with alopecia, it becomes unbearable. Sparkle tries to hide her condition from everyone at school but can\u2019t keep her secret forever. As her life gets increasingly complicated, Sparkle must decide whether to continue hiding or risk sharing her true self with her friends and classmates.
\n(Ages 8 \u2014 12)<\/i><\/p>\n

9781984814524 Starfish<\/i> by Lisa Fipps <\/p>\n

Ellie likes floating around her pool because it is the one place where she doesn\u2019t feel self-conscious about her body. However, with help from her therapist, father, and a family friend, Ellie learns to accept herself and ignore the negative people in her life.
\n(Ages 10 and up)<\/i><\/p>\n

RELATED: Body-Positive Books for Curvy Tweens and Teens<\/a><\/p>\n

no no 9780593121597 Turtle Boy<\/i> by M. Evan Wolkenstein <\/p>\n

Kids have always teased Will about his odd-looking chin, so he keeps it out of sight by keeping his hood up. He meets RJ, a boy struggling with an incurable illness, and decides to help RJ tackle his bucket list. As the boys check things off the list, they develop a genuine friendship, and Will learns to leave his shell behind and live life to the fullest.
\n(Ages 10 and up)<\/i><\/p>\n

yes no For Parents 9781578266432 The Teenage Body Book, Revised and Updated Edition<\/i> by Kathy McCoy, PhD, and Charles Wibbelsman <\/p>\n

From nutrition to sex, this nonfiction book covers everything teenagers need to know about their bodies. Topics covered include mental health, sexual health, body image, bullying, online safety, and much more. Parents and teens alike will find helpful information in this guide to teenagerhood.<\/p>\n

9780525537045 Reviving Ophelia 25th Anniversary Edition<\/i> by Mary Pipher, PhD, and Sara Pipher Gilliam <\/p>\n

The 25th-anniversary edition of this classic book has been updated for parents of modern teen girls. From social media and mental health to body image and activism, this book covers relevant and important topics for today\u2019s teens and their parents. Although the text focuses on girls, most of the advice can apply to any teenager.<\/p>\n

no no <\/p>\n

You might also like:<\/strong><\/h2>\n