Body-Positive Children's Books to Encourage Self-Love & Confidence
Stories That Celebrate All Bodies, Genders, Abilities, and Identities
Children begin to form ideas about their bodies and self-worth as early as preschool. Books are powerful tools to challenge stereotypes, spark important conversations, and reflect back the beauty of diversity. The following list includes books for toddlers to tweens that center body respect, inclusion, and inner strength — not just outer appearance.
1. Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder (Ages 3–7)
A joyful, inclusive book that celebrates all kinds of bodies — tall, short, curvy, scarred, disabled, freckled, and more. The playful rhymes and colorful illustrations help kids see that their body is not just okay — it’s cool.
Great for: Affirming body diversity, early readers, classroom storytime.
2. I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow (Ages 3–7)
A fun, vibrant book that encourages kids to love themselves inside and out — no matter what others say. With silly rhymes and over-the-top confidence, it teaches that self-love can be playful and bold.
Great for: Building foundational self-esteem and celebrating uniqueness.
3. Her Body Can by Katie Crenshaw & Ady Meschke (Ages 4–8)
This empowering book features girls of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, showing what their bodies can do — dance, play, rest, grow. It emphasizes function over form, and how every body is capable of greatness.
Great for: Combatting appearance-based self-worth in girls.
4. What I Like About Me! by Allia Zobel Nolan (Ages 3–6)
A book filled with interactive elements (mirrors, flaps) that celebrates differences — big ears, braces, wild hair, glasses, and more. It’s a fun way to show that what makes us different also makes us special.
Great for: Early childhood classrooms, neurodiverse kids, celebrating quirks.
5. You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by Margaret O’Hair & Sofia Sanchez (Ages 4–8)
Co-written by Sofia Sanchez, a young model and actress with Down syndrome, this book teaches kids that being different is beautiful. It’s filled with affirmations, inclusive illustrations, and the message that every child belongs.
Great for: Disability inclusion, teaching empathy and acceptance.
6. Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates (Ages 3–7)
A celebration of natural hair, pride, and identity. This joyful book centers a confident Black girl who embraces her big, bold hair and encourages other kids to love what makes them unique.
Great for: Cultural pride, representation, and confidence-building.
7. Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani (Young Readers Edition) (Ages 9–13)
A great read for older kids and preteens, this adaptation encourages girls to embrace failure, stop chasing perfection, and be brave in being themselves. It dismantles perfectionism and appearance-based self-worth.
Great for: Tweens, confidence during puberty, mindset shifts.
8. All Bodies Are Good Bodies by Charlotte Barkla & Erica Salcedo (Ages 4–8)
A gentle, rhyming picture book that showcases body types across age, size, and ability. It teaches that bodies move, grow, and feel in many different ways — and all are worthy of love and care.
Great for: Normalizing difference, early health education.
9. Love Your Body by Jessica Sanders (Ages 8–12)
A powerful guide for older children and tweens, this beautifully illustrated book explores self-respect, boundaries, self-care, and media literacy. It empowers girls to appreciate their bodies without shame or comparison.
Great for: Tweens navigating body changes and peer influence.
10. My Body Is a Rainbow: The Color of My Feelings by Mallika Chopra (Ages 4–8)
While not directly body-positive in the traditional sense, this book helps kids tune into their bodies as homes for their feelings — an essential skill for body respect and emotional regulation.
Great for: Mindfulness, body connection, and emotional literacy.
Tips for Using These Books Effectively:
Let children ask questions and share what resonates
Use the illustrations to spark discussions about diversity and inclusion
Mirror the messages in everyday language ("All bodies are good bodies!")
Pair reading with open conversations about media, comparison, and confidence
Make body-positive books as normal as alphabet books or bedtime stories
Final Thought
Children don’t need to be told they are perfect — they need to be reminded that they are enough, as they are. Books are one of the first mirrors children look into. When they see themselves reflected with dignity, joy, and strength, they begin to believe they are worthy of love — in every shape, color, and form.
