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
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LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Happy Valley Library
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The human body
Brown, Carron
Discover the secrets of the human body with the newest beautiful, educational and fun title in the Shine-a-light series. Hold a light behind the pages to see muscles flex, watch as food travels through the digestive system and take a peek at the skeleton holding you upright.
The big bath house
Maclear, Kyo
A joyful celebration of Japanese cultural traditions and body positivity as a young girl visits a bath house with her grandmother and aunties NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY New York Public Library . NPR . Publishers Weekly . Kirkus Reviews ....
Who has what? : all about girls' bodies and boys' bodies
Harris, Robie H.
First in the "Let's Talk About You and Me" series. Young children are curious about almost everything. Asking questions is one of many ways they learn about themselves and the world around them. Now, this unique series for our youngest children provides easy-to-understand facts...
Beautifully me
Noor, Nabela
From designer, creator, and self-love advocate Nabela Noor (@Nabela) comes a much-needed picture book about loving yourself just as you are. Meet Zubi: a joyful Bangladeshi girl excited about her first day of school. But when Zubi sees her mother frowning in the mirror and...
Bodies are cool
Feder, Tyler
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
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...
We are little feminists : hair
Beautiful photos of real-life families showcase all the wonderful forms of hair, while poetic text builds both vocabulary and empathy. HAIR helps families and educators discuss race, celebrate difference, and stand against racism at home and in the classroom. Created with 0-5-year-olds in mind.Part...
Don't hug Doug
Finison, Carrie
Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn't like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent--from author Carrie Finison and the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The World Needs More Purple People, Daniel Wiseman.<...
Stella's stellar hair
Moises, Yesenia
Black girl magic takes the solar system in Stella's Stellar Hair, a celebration of hair, family, and self-love from debut author-illustrator Yesenia Moises! It's the day of the Big Star Little Gala, and Stella's hair just isn't acting right! What's a girl...
Eyes that speak to the stars
Ho, Joanna
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...
Will ladybug hug?
Leung, Hilary
You loved Will Bear Share? and Will Sheep Sleep?, now get to know Ladybug in a hilarious new high-fiving and hugging-themed addition to creator Hilary Leung's animal books!One ladybug.Many friends.One timeless question: Will Ladybug Hug?Meet Ladybug. Ladybug loves...
Don't touch my hair!
Miller, Sharee (Illustrator)
It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she's chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens... until, finally, Aria has had enough! This humorous...
Rissy no kissies
Howes, Katey
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 body and your heart are...
Big
Harrison, Vashti
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,...

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