IT'S MY BODY!

All bodies are worthy of respect.

“There are all kinds of bodies. They come in different shapes…in different skin colors …and with different kinds of hair.” So begins Gravel’s ode to bodies and the different ways we maintain them. She once more depicts a goofy cast of cartoonish characters. Some are short and squat; others are tall and elongated. Some are spotted; some have floppy ears atop their heads. While other books on this topic tend to focus on a single element, this one admirably encompasses a wide variety: body positivity, bodily autonomy, healthy eating, different abilities, and the importance of respecting both one’s own body and others’. Gravel’s trademark humor shines on each spread; on a page acknowledging that we all have insecurities about our appearance, a pink creature wonders uncertainly, “Are my horns too pointy?” To which a blobby beige pal replies, “I think they’re perfect!” The straightforward text, presented in various fonts and sizes, pairs well with the bright artwork, making a serious topic accessible—and even fun. Joy, whimsy, and reassurance intertwine throughout the narrative, right down to the closing line: “So after you close this book, say something kind to your body, then give yourself a big HUG…but ONLY if you WANT TO!”

Words of wisdom for every body—and everybody.