BODY BEAUTIFUL
Written by Susan Verde
Illustrated by Steph Littlebird
(Abrams BYR; $19.99, Ages 4-8)

 

 

 

 

Did you know your body is beautiful? #1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Verde, poses this thoughtful question to young readers in her new picture book, Body Beautiful. The book takes children on a journey that celebrates the magnificent wonders of our bodies.

The story starts with a lovely illustration (below) of a fetus sleeping soundly inside its mother’s womb.

“You were born from a beautiful body

who was born from another beautiful body

and so on going way way way back.”

Indigenous artist Steph Littlebird illustrates our continuing connectivity by showing the planets circling the mother and unborn child using soft colors of purples, pinks, and yellows. Littlebird’s vibrant art moves us forward as we turn the page to a list showing all the many ways to describe the human body. It’s a long list because we are rightfully different. I love how this spread conveys that we are all so unique that we can’t be categorized as just one entity.

 

 

 

 

However, Verde explains, these descriptions are only part of what makes our bodies beautiful.  MIRACULOUS, GROWING, and SPEAKING are words used to express how each of us is more than what is seen on the outside. UNIQUE is spelled out alongside a girl and a boy sitting in the wilderness, amidst the green trees, birds, owls, and butterflies. The story’s lyrical language takes the reader through the outer vessels of our bodies to our inner minds that tell us when our body has something to say. One of my favorite lines is Asking you to listen—our bodies often tell us when something isn’t right. We just need to stop and listen. As a certified yoga instructor, this resonated with me because it’s something I do and encourage others to as well.

 

 

 

Littlebird’s uplifting art depicts kids of all shapes and sizes, from tall to short, large to small, from white to brown, and everything in between, as well as those with varying abilities, each moving happily together. Your body is also WISE— Keeping a record of the joy, the sadness, the wonder, the stories of your resilience, the lessons learned. This book serves as a meaningful reminder to children (and to adults). When we see the young black girl hugging herself, we read Your body is YOUR OWN.

 

 

 

 

The story flows, inviting read-alouds and conversation. It then concludes with children walking through a field, reminding the reader that the most beautiful part of your body is YOU, and there will be nothing more beautiful than that.

The backmatter includes an Author’s Note explaining how Verde got the idea for this story. There’s also an Illustrator’s Note that encourages young people to feel proud of their bodies. This is an important topic that should be taught to children at a young age, before they begin judging themselves for what they think they should be. We live in a time when stories like this need to be told because you can never share too much about mindfulness, self-love, and kindness with children.

• Reviewed by Ronda Einbinder