B Is for Bellies

PreS-Gr 2–This body-positive picture book follows in the footsteps of Tyler Feder’s Bodies Are Cool with an alphabet spin. Each letter is represented by a quatrain with crisp rhymes, describing an aspect of one’s body or physical identity, e.g., “J is for Jiggle,” “M is for Muscles,” and “T is for Talking.” The rhymes are affirming and describe not just the diversity within the range of human bodies, but also the importance of bodily worth, listening to one’s body, and respecting the bodies of others. The rhymes are ideal for reading out loud: “B is for bellies, some round and some flatter. They each serve a purpose—the shape doesn’t matter.” The dynamic digital illustrations feature a distinctive palette and animated cartoonlike characters who have a slightly vintage 1970s feel. The illustrated bodies, mostly children and nearly all fully clothed, represent a wide range of diversity in nearly all physical aspects.