We are delighted to announce the publication of our first picture book for primary children! My Body is Me! is a joyful, body positive picture book for primary children which celebrates diversity and challenges sex stereotypes. Award-winning children’s author and poet Rachel Rooney has written a brilliant and catchy poem in rhyming couplets which children will love to repeat. Jessica Ahlberg has provided such gentle and delightful illustrations – you’ll find something new every time you look at them.

We were delighted that the publication of this important book was reported in the Sunday Times yesterday.

RacheI Rooney is a trained teacher in Primary and Special Education. She taught for many years across a range of school settings and has particular interest and experience working with pupils with ASC (Autism). She is now an award-winning children’s poet and picture book writer. Rachel won the CLPE Award 2012 for The Language of Cat and the NSTBA 2019 for A Kid in My Class. You can find out more about Rachel’s work at her website here: http://www.rachelrooneypoet.com

Rachel says

“As a children’s author & teacher, I’m aware of teaching material for young children that promotes the belief that one can be ‘born in the wrong body’. Inevitably, this literature leans heavily on gender stereotyping to support a reductionist narrative at an age when magical thinking trumps reality. I wanted to write an alternative narrative, one that celebrates all our unique bodies and the diversity of personality types that inhabit them. It was wonderful to have Jessica Ahlberg’s warm and witty illustrations alongside, enhancing this positive message. I am proud of what we’ve produced and I hope the book (and its message) is widely shared.”

Jessica Ahlberg has been illustrating books for children for 18 years. She is the illustrator of Goldilocks, Yucky Worms and Half a Pig, and the author and illustrator of Fairytales for Mr. Barker.

Jessica says

“I hope this book, with Rachel’s joyful, catchy text, will help children to feel happy and positive about their bodies.

I think it’s really important to challenge gender stereotypes for young children, so in the pictures for the book I have tried to do just that.

I hope readers will find it inspires their self confidence.”

We think children and parents alike will love this book and it will become a firm favourite of childhood. It’s the perfect stocking filler so order your copy now in time for Christmas! You could also order a copy for your child’s school and your local library to help to spread the word. We have counted over 40 picture books for the Early Years age group which encourage very young children to believe they may have been born in the wrong body, so this book is more vital than ever to counter that harmful message. You can order the book from this page.

Free lesson plans and worksheets based on this book will shortly be available to download from the website. Meanwhile have a look at the book page to see suggestions for how this book can be used to help children learn about bodies, health, keeping safe and looking after themselves.

Our heartfelt thanks to Rachel Rooney and Jessica Ahlberg for all their hard work to make this book happen and for sharing their huge talents with us. We are so proud of this book and we hope you enjoy it too!

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

