Bodies are weird, aren’t they? Squishy, bony, stretchy, hairy, cuddly, bumpy, leaky, smelly, wiggly, lanky, hungry, wobbly, achy, fidgety, smooth, sometimes even embarrassing – there are endless different things our bodies can do and look like. There is no wrong way to have a body, but sometimes you just want to know more about what bodies do and look like. Bodies are endlessly fascinating, and luckily we have many, many books that you can read to learn more about them. We’ve selected some of our favourite new body books below that you might like to try.
Any body : a comic compendium of important facts & feelings about our bodies / Gathen, Katharine von der
“We live in our bodies for life, so it’s a good idea to understand them. Any Body looks from the outside and the inside, answering questions about our bodies and how we feel about them. It includes interesting facts about skin, hair, and body functions alongside the questions that may affect us from puberty and beyond – gender identity, beauty, self-confidence, how other people react and relate to us, and how they make us feel. This compendium allows us to get to know and feel at home in our bodies – and have a giggle about them too.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
I am not a label / Burnell, Cerrie
“From Frida Kahlo to Stephen Hawking, find out how these iconic figures have overcome obstacles, owned their differences and paved the way for others by making their bodies and minds work for them. These short biographies tell the stories of people who have faced unique challenges which have not stopped them from becoming trailblazers, innovators, advocates and makers. Each person is a leading figure in their field, be it sport, science, maths, art, breakdance or the world of pop. Challenge your preconceptions of disability and mental health with the eye-opening stories of these remarkable people.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
You & your amazing brain : a book of brains and how they work / Gifford, Clive
“Brains are fascinating! Why can’t you tickle yourself? Why do adults like foods they hated as children? How do some sneaky creatures have the ability to take over the brains of other species? You will discover: What the different parts of the brain are and how they work; how memories, speech and sleep work; how the human brain develops from birth to adulthood; how your brain changes when you become a teenager, and how to understand these changes; how the brains of other creatures match up to ours. And most of all how every brain works in its own special way.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Every body : a first conversation about bodies / Madison, Megan
“Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and imagery to introduce the concept of body positivity. This book serves to celebrate the uniqueness of your body and all bodies, and address the unfair rules and ideas that currently exist about bodies. It ends with motivational action points for making the world more fair for all!” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Thirty trillion cells : how your body really works / Thomas, Isabel
“Do you know what you’re made of? The answer is CELLS- about thirty TRILLION of them- all working together to form one awesome human being: YOU. The tiniest building blocks of life are crammed amongst the pages of this book, waiting to be discovered. From individual cells to complex systems, discover how your body moves, grows, breathes, senses, thinks and feels. Find out why you get butterflies in your stomach, how your brain is more complex than the most powerful computer, and that you are home to more bacteria cells than there are stars in the Milky Way.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Every body is a rainbow : a kid’s guide to bodies across the gender spectrum / Carter, Caroline
“Every child has an amazing body that is all their own! Each one is a unique shape, size, and color and has a unique mix of parts, identities, and expressions. Every Body is a Rainbow: A Kid’s Guide to Bodies Across the Gender Spectrum celebrates the vast rainbow of bodies and identities—from non-binary, to intersex, to multiple genders and expressions—and shows readers that everybody is beautifully diverse and has value. This book is for kids and families of ALL genders, abilities, and expressions who want to understand themselves and learn more about the amazing bodies across the gender spectrum!” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Embrace your body / Brumfitt, Taryn
“Based on the #1 hit children’s song, this picture book encourages everyone to love who they are, inside and out. Taryn Brumfitt is the fiercely passionate thought leader behind the Body Image Movement and director of Embrace the documentary. She is determined to inspire everyBODY to celebrate their body, regardless of size, colour, ethnicity, gender or ability.” (Catalogue)
My body’s changing : a boy’s guide to growing up / Ganeri, Anita
“Growing up is an exciting time, but it can also feel scary. During puberty, your body changes on the outside and on the inside. You might have noticed some of these changes already, or they might not have started happening to you yet. This book explains what happens during puberty, and provides some friendly reassurance and advice.” (Catalogue)
Puberty is gross but also really awesome / Loveless, Gina
“Puberty… is pretty gross for pretty much everyone. It’s a smelly, hairy, sticky, and (worst of all) totally confusing time! But did you know there’s a lot about puberty that makes it REALLY AWESOME? Get the whole picture with this honest, humorous, and empowering survival guide to the tween years. It’s packed with straighforward illustrations, easy-to-understand scientific information, interesting studies, and tips from experts, covering everything from breast development and gender identity to acne and mental health.” (Catalogue)
My period / Hill, Milli
“The one stop guide to getting your period. Getting your first period can be exciting – but there are a lot of questions you might be too embarrassed to ask. Like how much will I bleed? Does it hurt? How can I prepare? And what’s the point of a period anyway? Separating the fact from the fiction, Milli Hill answers everything you need to know – from menstrual cups and period pants, to cramps and hormones. She’ll explain how incredible your body is, what is actually going on each month and why. With guidance on choosing period products, charting your cycles and preparing a first period kit, alongside profiles of ‘cycle superstars’, such as Amika George, who are working to end period poverty and start open conversations around periods, this book is the complete guide to getting your period.” (Adapted from Catalogue)