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My Body Is Me!
My Body is Me! is an upbeat, rhyming picture book, aimed for 3-6 year olds, written by Rachel Rooney and illustrated by Jessica Ahlberg in consultation with TransgenderTrend. It introduces children to the workings of the human body, and celebrates similarities and differences while challenging sex stereotypes. It also aims to promote a positive self-image and foster self-care skills. The text is inclusive for children with physical or sensory disabilities.
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First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 8, 2020
Many people have labelled this book as "anti-trans", and having read it cover to cover, I can say that it is nothing of the sort.
The main message of this book is that your body is perfect the way it is, and that you should treat it with respect and love. In my opinion, this is one of the most progressive messages that you could give to children, especially in an age where much of the media and advertisement tells people that they should be unhappy with their bodies.
This book has really cute illustrations too! Would recommend, 5/5.
The main message of this book is that your body is perfect the way it is, and that you should treat it with respect and love. In my opinion, this is one of the most progressive messages that you could give to children, especially in an age where much of the media and advertisement tells people that they should be unhappy with their bodies.
This book has really cute illustrations too! Would recommend, 5/5.
December 19, 2019
Four stars because I like a plot... but this is a lovely book, great illustrations, nice poetry - always fun to read aloud. It’s about feeling good being who you are, we are all different but that’s good. Your sex doesn’t dictate what you do. I don’t know how much notice small children really take of books, but the message is positive and inoffensive. (Anyone who has actually read this - and it doesn’t take long - and finds offence in it has some massive problems.)
February 27, 2020
This is a beautifully illustrated poem teaching young children about all the amazing things our bodies can do. It’s also about not needing to conform to gender stereotypes, i.e. just letting kids be kids. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Girls can dress up as dragons and boys can dress up as butterflies and so what if they do. It’s lovely to see a book for young children encouraging them to be confident in their own skin and in their choices, as a counter to all the negative “girls must do this and boys must do that” stereotypes.
I read this purely to see if the fuss people have been kicking up about it was true - and no, it isn’t.
I read this purely to see if the fuss people have been kicking up about it was true - and no, it isn’t.
December 18, 2019
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ENGLISH
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My Body is me is simply one of the best books for children about loving themselves and the body thay are born into. A message so important to give girls and boys. My niece and nephew really liked it, my nephew is disabled and he was so pleased with it, the drawings are so sweet. I loved it. It is a very good book even for children that are learning english. A must buy.
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Italian
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Un bellissimo libro per bambini per insegnarli ad amare se stessi e il proprio corpo. Adatto per bimbi con disabilità, dona loro un messaggio positivo. È ideale per iniziare a insegnare inglese ai bimbi. Un libro da prendere decisamente.
ENGLISH
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My Body is me is simply one of the best books for children about loving themselves and the body thay are born into. A message so important to give girls and boys. My niece and nephew really liked it, my nephew is disabled and he was so pleased with it, the drawings are so sweet. I loved it. It is a very good book even for children that are learning english. A must buy.
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Italian
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Un bellissimo libro per bambini per insegnarli ad amare se stessi e il proprio corpo. Adatto per bimbi con disabilità, dona loro un messaggio positivo. È ideale per iniziare a insegnare inglese ai bimbi. Un libro da prendere decisamente.
December 19, 2019
Thoughtful, lovely and smart book for children. It was given to our family as a gift. It promotes body positivity for children, I wish we had something like this when I was a child and I wish all little girls read this. The drawings are so nice and relaxing. Truly charming.
December 20, 2019
Beautifully written and illustrated book which supports individuality. The simple drawings of children who are able-bodied, disabled, white or of colour, etc. Celebrates diversity and acceptance of each other and themselves. Recommended reading for all young children.
July 24, 2020
A beautiful book to add to my school library! It breaks down regressive sex role stereotypes while affirming that your body is perfect the way it is, and that you should treat it with respect and love. In my opinion, this is one of the most progressive messages that you could give to children, especially in an age where kids are force-fed regressive notions of innate femininity and masculinity. Gender is a prison, no one has one....break free! Just be YOU!
February 4, 2020
An absolutely beautiful book for all children of all kinds! The author stresses just being oneself and finding self love for whom you are and how you are. No pressure to conform, no silly approach to things: Just kids being kids and loving expressing themselves and loving themselves.
A message we really need right now when the stress even young children face is based on looks, money, toys, fashion...
A message we really need right now when the stress even young children face is based on looks, money, toys, fashion...
July 14, 2020
Delightful verse and illustrations.
It reminds me of the Free To Be... You And Me book and music I listened to as a child in the 70s.
This would make a perfect gift to any child under 8. It is great for an early reader and/or a baby or toddler because of the lovely verse and interesting illustrations. You have to go to the publisher's site in order to get this book...but at £4.99 it's a great deal.
It reminds me of the Free To Be... You And Me book and music I listened to as a child in the 70s.
This would make a perfect gift to any child under 8. It is great for an early reader and/or a baby or toddler because of the lovely verse and interesting illustrations. You have to go to the publisher's site in order to get this book...but at £4.99 it's a great deal.
March 18, 2020
Bought this book for a friend's daughter and she loves it. The wonderful colourful illustrations and the rhyming story. It's a wonderful way to explain that we are who we are even though we may have 'differences' they are not important and we should learn to love our bodies how they are.
October 11, 2020
This is a beautiful, positive and life affirming book for children. The book focuses on loving your own body and the amazing things it is capable of. It challenges sex stereotypes as there are boys dressed up as mermaids and princesses and girls being daredevils. It has a lovely engaging rhythm, and as for the pictures, they are beautiful. They are bursting with energy and movement. My 3 year old daughter loves it. And I love reading it aloud to her. It can be hard to turn the pages as she always spots something new in the illustrations which makes her chuckle.
May 21, 2021
Lovely, fun, positive, rhymy children's book. What more can you want for the little ones? I really like knowing who all the children are, so we can follow them through the book. Wonderfully illustrated by Jessica Ahlberg.
June 12, 2021
A lovely book, with such a positive and important message. My little one adored it.
February 28, 2021
By far the best body-positive, stereotype-busting, joyous and wise book picture book for kids that you can buy today. I love it so much I’ve bought copies for friends and parents of young kids in my family, who now all tell me it’s one of their favourites too. It’s just perfect for building self-esteem in children who these days will be growing up to face a lot of social media anxiety and is written in clear, memorable rhyming verse by experienced teacher Rachel Rooney, with beautiful, classic illustrations by Jessica Ahlberg. A joyous book showing kids of both sexes and all races/family types doing and being whatever they want, happily accepting differences in each other. I’ve been actively looking for a well-written book that challenges gender and racial stereotypes but in a natural, unforced way that feels like real life could be if we just tried it; this really is that book. Don’t believe the minority of malicious reviews from those who’ve not read the book: no rational person who actually reads it for themselves could possibly agree with their wild claims, and would find in it only kindness, truth and humanity.
March 1, 2020
Such a great book for children. Shows kids that they are perfect just as they are. Great way to promote body positive and build self esteem.
June 20, 2020
Delightful book. Beautifully illustrated, with a warm, positive text.
December 6, 2020
Gorgeous little picture book, teaching children that whatever they like to do and whatever they look like, they are perfect just as they are.
April 13, 2021
I bought this lovely little book for my 5 year old. Lovely illustrations and the theme about everybody being happy in their own skin is just wonderful
May 18, 2021
Beautiful body-positive message for young children, with wonderfully inclusive illustrations. I've bought copies for so many people!
December 19, 2019
This is so wrong on so many levels, please don't buy your kids books written by authors who discriminate transgender people. Teach them your actions have consequences and they have to aim for a better world for everyone
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June 4, 2020We love this beautifully written and illustrated book. It is a precious resource ,teaching young children how wonderful and unique they're bodies are.
April 13, 2021
This is just so fantastic. My grandson loves it and I love reading it to him.
April 13, 2021
A lovely positive wee book. Great to read aloud 😊
April 13, 2021
Super book and perfect for children to learn how to love themselves and who they are!! Can't recommend it enough!
September 12, 2021
A brilliant, beautifully illustrated book for young children about loving and valuing themselves and their bodies. So positive and opens discussion especially around ability and why we look as we do. My granddaughter absolutely loves it. She loves the illustrations as well as the words. A great introduction to poetry too for a small child.
December 7, 2020
A book with a great message for youngsters! An important message that their bodies are great the way they are in this day and age. They need this belief in themselves to face a world with such focus on skin colour, same sex parents and growing trend in cosmetic surgery and botox.
December 12, 2020
This is a wonderful children book, it's promoting self esteem and acceptance of all. Great illustrations and a great message that we all should try and adhere to.
April 12, 2021
Fabulous book, the children love it. Really positive message about loving yourself, vital in today’s world
February 12, 2022
I bought a copy of Rachel Rooney's little book in order to see whether there is anything within it that can be construed as 'hate speech' or 'anti-trans' propaganda or 'terrorism'. Of course, there is nothing of the sort in this wonderful picture book that every child ought to read at as early an age as possible. "My Body Is Me" is an excellent introduction for children to the miraculous workings of the human body, and at the same time a celebration of the similarities and differences among their bodies, their favourite activities, and their general preferences.
The central message of the book accords well with Mr. Rogers' familiar daily reassurance to children that they are just fine the way they are, expressed most fervently with the words he sang on his famous television program:
"I like you as you are
Exactly and precisely
I think you turned out nicely
And I like you as you are
"I like you as you are
Without a doubt or question
Or even a suggestion
Cause I like you as you are.
"I like your disposition
Your facial composition
And with your kind permission
I’ll shout it to a star.
"I like you as you are
I wouldn’t want to change you
Or even rearrange you
Not by far.
". . . I like you, like you as you are."
As Walt Whitman once said, "If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred," and something's being sacred means one who regards it as such does not dishonour it; one loves it, marvels at it, cares for it, and guards it ardently. Teaching children to marvel at the beauty and wonder of their God-given (or Nature-given, if one prefers) body, and to be happy with it, as Rachel Rooney does in this book, is hardly what I would call 'hate speech' or 'terrorism': I might rather reserve such terms to describe a wilful promotion of self-doubt and self-hatred in children that is a sad part of the ethos of our time.
"My Body Is Me" is a homage to the miraculous wonder of the human body that is each little person right from the start, a homage that encourages a positive self-image in children. Its opposite—inciting in children a form of self-abnegation under the guise of something so utterly unscientific as having been 'born in the wrong body', or at least in one that is somehow fundamentally flawed, unworthy of esteem, and in need of alteration is what might seem to many a more appropriate candidate for descriptors like 'hate speech' or even 'child abuse'. I see no hatred in "My Body Is Me," but much wonder.
"I am my body. My body is me.
It's a wonderful thing, I'm sure you'll agree."
—Rachel Rooney, author of "My Body Is Me"
Yes, I do agree. It's a wonderful thing, and so is this book.
The central message of the book accords well with Mr. Rogers' familiar daily reassurance to children that they are just fine the way they are, expressed most fervently with the words he sang on his famous television program:
"I like you as you are
Exactly and precisely
I think you turned out nicely
And I like you as you are
"I like you as you are
Without a doubt or question
Or even a suggestion
Cause I like you as you are.
"I like your disposition
Your facial composition
And with your kind permission
I’ll shout it to a star.
"I like you as you are
I wouldn’t want to change you
Or even rearrange you
Not by far.
". . . I like you, like you as you are."
As Walt Whitman once said, "If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred," and something's being sacred means one who regards it as such does not dishonour it; one loves it, marvels at it, cares for it, and guards it ardently. Teaching children to marvel at the beauty and wonder of their God-given (or Nature-given, if one prefers) body, and to be happy with it, as Rachel Rooney does in this book, is hardly what I would call 'hate speech' or 'terrorism': I might rather reserve such terms to describe a wilful promotion of self-doubt and self-hatred in children that is a sad part of the ethos of our time.
"My Body Is Me" is a homage to the miraculous wonder of the human body that is each little person right from the start, a homage that encourages a positive self-image in children. Its opposite—inciting in children a form of self-abnegation under the guise of something so utterly unscientific as having been 'born in the wrong body', or at least in one that is somehow fundamentally flawed, unworthy of esteem, and in need of alteration is what might seem to many a more appropriate candidate for descriptors like 'hate speech' or even 'child abuse'. I see no hatred in "My Body Is Me," but much wonder.
"I am my body. My body is me.
It's a wonderful thing, I'm sure you'll agree."
—Rachel Rooney, author of "My Body Is Me"
Yes, I do agree. It's a wonderful thing, and so is this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews