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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Fishman, Seth
"Innovative." --New York Times Book Review "For the four- to eight-year-old who goes nonstop." --Philadelphia Tribune The companion to the popular and award-winning A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars. This captivating and educational picture book from Seth Fishman and...
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...
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...
Little faces big feelings : what emotions look like
Morrison, Amy
Learn about the emotions behind the faces of over 90 different children, then use the included mirror to practice understanding your own feelings! See why kids are happy, sad, mad/frustrated, surprised, scared, brave, bored, silly, and/or tired with beautiful photographs showing every bit of...
Don't hug Doug (he doesn't like it)
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.<...
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...
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...
More than fluff
Valentine, Madeline
A fresh, funny, and timely picture book about a fuzzy chick navigating autonomy and consent. The perfect conversation starter on the topic for young children. Daisy happens to be fluffy--she's a young chick after all. Her friends can't help but want to pet her, squeeze her, and...
I love me!
Gardner Middlemiss, LaRonda
I love me from my mouth and chin all the way down to my knees and shins. This affirming picture book features a diversity of races and ethnicities, physical features, body types, abilities and disabilities. I Love Meteaches all kids they have many, many reasons...
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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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