Body Talk for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Everybody has a body! Even at a young age, kids notice bodies (their abilities and differences) and start asking questions about how bodies work. Here are some picks for cultivating a sense of awareness of our amazing, fascinating, and sometimes bizarre bodies to share with toddlers and preschoolers.

Also look for our list on Disability Visibility - Picture Books.

Updated May 26, 2023
L
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Happy Valley Library
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Under our clothes : our first talk about our bodies
Roberts, Jillian
Paper Book
Key Selling Points This book offers an age-appropriate and straightforward introduction to the complex topic of body image and safety. The World Around Us series discusses difficult topics through an organic conversation starting with a common observation and continuing with...
Big
Harrison, Vashti
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a New York Times bestseller! This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance,...
Bodies are cool
Feder, Tyler
Paper Book
This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.   From the acclaimed creator of Dancing at the Pity Party and Roaring Softly, this picture book is a pure celebration of all the...
Eyes that kiss in the corners
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and #1 Indie Bestseller · A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year · A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 · Included in NPR's 2021 Books We Love List · Featured in Forbes, Oprah Daily, The Cut, and Book Riot · Golden Poppy Book Award...
Don't hug Doug (He doesn't like it)
Finison, Carrie
Paper Book
Meet Doug. Doug doesn't like hugs. He thinks they're too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. However, Doug is a master of high fives (and low fives and side fives). Some people like hugs, other people don't. The only way to find out is to ask!
Your body is awesome : body respect for children
Sigrún Daníelsdóttir
Paper Book
Bodies do all sorts of amazing things, like move around, grow bigger and heal themselves. Bodies also come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and we need to take care of them so that they stay healthy and strong. If we listen to our bodies they tell us exactly what they need. The...
Eyes that speak to the stars
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling team Joanna Ho and Dung Ho present Eyes That Speak to the Stars, companion to the acclaimed Eyes That Kiss in the Corners. "A brilliant treatise to love of self and heritage." --School Library Journal (starred review) "A beautifully...
Don't touch my hair!
Miller, Sharee (Illustrator)
Paper Book
An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair. It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her...
Rissy no kissies
Howes, Katey
Paper Book
A lovebird who doesn't like kisses?! Rissy's friends and family wonder if she's sick, confused, or rude. But kisses make Rissy uncomfortable. Can one little lovebird show everyone that there's no one right way to show you care? Rissy No Kissies carries the message that "your...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.