Big Bold Beautiful Me

by Jane Yolen, Maddison Stemple-Piatt, Chloe Burgett (Illustrator)

Big Bold Beautiful Me is a delightful announcement of self-love, self-appreciation, self-acceptance, and self-comfort, and being 100% proud of who you are and your shape.

Kids will delight in reading Big, Bold, Beautiful Me and find themselves marching along and standing side-by-side protagonists just like them who portray body positivity is a loud, proud, and very fun way. Grown-ups will welcome the message of healthy attitudes when facing negative or derogatory comments of others. Together it is a valuable resource for young readers to confidently embrace who they are with big bold beautiful appeal to teachers, librarians, counselors, and parents, too.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Self Esteem, Fiction, Storytime, Bodies

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our children have a problem with self image for different reasons. This book for children is to combat those problems. We all look differently but the whole ideal of the book is look deeper. Not just what others see or what we may see in the mirror. A great discussion for the children in your life.

A special thank you to The American Psychological Association and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just okay. Very body positivity as opposed to body justice, it introduces us to various kids whose bodies have been policed by others for not being "normal" -- for having thick thighs, broad shoulders, long arms, or frizzy hair. In rhyming text, the way that each child has been mocked is responded to with a "but I love myself anyway" kind of moment, which felt pretty weak. Why do they have to love themselves "anyway"? Not terrible but definitely not amazing, either.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Jane Yolen and Maddison Stemple-Piatt, a Grandmother-Granddaughter writing duo, is about loving our bodies no matter what they look like. Each double page spread has at least two colourful and detailed pictures, and 2 rhyming couplets. Most words are decodable or sight words so it would be a good fit for most readers in the early years.

Each of the characters in the story has some physical trait that is commonly seen as less attractive, for example curly hair or broad shoulders, but they repeat the affirmation "I look in the mirror and what do I see? Big and bold and beautiful me." Each character also points out the positives of each of these features like legs being able to jump farther or arms giving great hugs. The characters in the story have a variety of skin tones, include one character with hearing aids. and one of the characters marches carrying a sign related to some sort of activism movement. I feel like this book does so many things well, not just body positivity, but also promoting mental wellness, diversity, inclusion, and activism, even in young children!

As a grade 3 teacher I could definitely see this book in my classroom library! I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 4-10 range. The repetitive and rhyming text would be something that even beginning readers could read with support. Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Brittany Kammerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this story to review from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you so much for this story I absolutely loved it. 5 stars ⭐️

As a 1st grade teacher who loves to read different stories to her class everyday, and especially loves to read Jane Yolen to her class due to being perfect for Social Emotional Lessons that when I saw she was coming out with a new story I knew I wanted to review this book. What I loved about this story was it is about celebrating differences and acceptance of oneself. After reading this story I can safely say that I absolutely NEED this story in my classroom.

As I was reading this story I realized this would be a fantastic book to read during my SEL lessons. As a little girl I used to hate having curls. It took me a long time to learn how to love them. What I really enjoy about this story is that each of the characters had something they didn’t like from their hair to their legs, etc. and each of the children learn to accept what makes them different and love themselves just the way they are.

This is so important to teach especially during SEL because during SEL lessons I get time to meet with my students and get to know them-know how they feel, think,etc. SEL gives me some time to really have discussions with them and be able to make connections with them.

Overall this story is a must buy book for me and I am looking forward to purchasing this story for my classroom when it comes out in October 2022

[Daniele Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my heart. This book. This is one of those rare gems you uncover that surprises you in the absolute best way. At first glance this may look like a normal children's book, but it is so much more than that. This story was spectacular and I loved every moment of my time reading it. From the second I opened the cover to the point I put it down, I kept thinking about how excited I was to have the chance to read and review it.

Body positivity is an important conversation to have with children who come in all shapes and sizes. It is full of positivity, powerful messages and inspirational prose. It is a delightfully empowering book that all children should read to remind them that they should embrace who they are inside and out. Easy, rhyming prose makes it a perfect book for budding independent readers.

Adorable, hand painted style illustrations are fun and engaging. Plenty of great lessons for kids to learn. This story was both entertaining and educational, which can be a tricky balance to maintain in a children’s book, and I will be suggesting it to teachers whenever possible. Incorporating social-emotional topics such as this into children's picture books is a tried and true way to teach important life skills in a way that is fun. This would be an amazing addition for classrooms, libraries, counselling offices and more.

[Emma Detweiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that I found this book. I have been a bigger girl my whole life and if this book would have been around when I was a kid, I may not have felt as alone as I did. From the first page, I was tearing up at the comparison of peanut butter to her feet because they spread when she walks. What an obscure yet devastatingly relatable comparison to set the tone of this book. I love that there is no dwelling on the negative comments about the characters' bodies. They acknowledge what they have thought or what has been said, then they move on to an alternative and positive perspective. The illustrations seem to be made up of acrylic paint and there are a few details made with colored pencils. I like the use of bright colors because it makes the book's message very light and uplifting, rather than focusing on the negative feelings of the characters. Almost every character has one white page that features them doing something they love in the center of the page. These also highlight the importance of focusing on yourself and what is special about you. I will definitely hang on to this book for my future students in order to help them feel a little less alone in the world.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book about body self-acceptance. We are all built differently. We don’t all fit the same mold. And this is a book that talks about how we are different, but that there is nothing wrong with that.

Five children talk about what makes them different. That their feet are flat, or that their arms are long, or that their thighs are like the trucks of trees. Their body works just fine with what they have, and they still have fun with their lives, skating, swinging, hiking with their grand mother.

A very thoughtful book on what it is like to be shaped differently, and that there is nothing wrong with that.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Jthe YSLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bold, beautiful (not-so-big) book about wonderful people. From my experience as an avid picture book reader and children's librarian, I would say books featuring chubby, sturdy children are very rare, especially those that represent them in a strong positive light where they are the lead rather than the background character. This book not only has that but also great racial diversity and some disability rep (one of the characters has one hand and another child wears hearing aids), and some illustrations challenge gender stereotypes (one of the children who looks like a boy picks flowers and wears a flower crown and none of the children's genders are specified).

The text is fun and the pictures are great.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! Big Bold Beautiful Me is an easy read, so it is perfect for children who are just beginning to read on their own. There is a powerful message throughout the story. Each child has their insecurities and yet the explain how they make them unique. I love that this book promotes self love by exclaiming the line, "big and bold and beautiful me!" That line promotes the idea of taking up space, which I think is a very important thing to teach children. The only reason I gave this book four instead of five stars is because I wish it would have represented at least one disability in the images and storyline. 

[Courtney Jenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my unbiased and honest review. What a sweet and lovely book about loving yourself and appreciating your unique and special qualities. It has rhyming text, which is always a winner in the lower grades, k-2. The book features a variety of representations, each child having something about themselves that may be unconventional or different but makes them incredibly special. This is a theme we focus on in first grade, so I would love to include this is my stack of mentor texts.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bold, beautiful (not-so-big) book about wonderful people. From my experience as an avid picture book reader and children's librarian, I would say books featuring chubby, sturdy children are very rare, especially those that represent them in a strong positive light where they are the lead rather than the background character. This book not only has that but also great racial diversity and some disability rep (one of the characters has one hand).

The text is fun and the pictures are great.

[Paulina M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Representation: 10
Story: 10
Illustration: 10

Big Bold Beautiful Me is a great resource to empower children to love themselves. The message is inclusive, uplifting and cheerful, the text is easy to read and engaging, and the illustrations are bright and sunny.

** Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. **

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like that this book points out that what's on the outside isn't how other people should judge you, but I'm not a fan of the "I'm so great" movement. My movement is "God is so great. I find my worth in his love for me, which is unchanging." Everything else is material. Everything else fades. The love of Jesus is forever. That's where my worth is. Not in what I own. Not in who I am. Only in Him.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book, celebrating all our different body shapes and sizes. It teaches acceptance and love, and the world could definitely use more of both!

This would be a great addition to any library (home, school, day care, etc.).

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I look in the mirror and what do I see?
BIG and BOLD and beautiful Me!"

Author Jane Yolen and her granddaughter address body image perceptions of children and encourage children to revel in the features that define them in the eyes of others.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about celebrating your physical differences / the things people have remarked on - feet, legs, broad shoulders, long arms, curly hair.
The five kids pictured have other physical differences that are inconsequential to the story. - hearing aids, only one hand.

[Pug · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was completely grossed out by the first line: "Some folks say I have peanut butter feet. And they spread-when I walk-all over the street." What!?!? Why!? And WHO would ever say that!? Then the whole body-acceptance vibe just increased my nausea.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Yolen has written a beautiful body positive book for children. With gorgeous illustrations and body positive words of encouragement, this is a great book to read with young children.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Love the different characters and the gorgeous illustrations. The message is also so important to pass along to kiddos.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This colorful, upbeat book is for those looking for body positivity stories for kids. Each child expresses confidence in an aspect of their appearance that others have singled out.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

borrow

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there had been more stories like this when I was younger. Kids need to know that their bodies aren't shameful or something to worry over. Beautiful.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful picture book about loving our bodies!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the representation of different bodies and the message! Wish there’d been one last page to tie everything together.

[Amberdenise Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book. Especially the representation!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this book about self-acceptance

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps children embrace what is different about them and allows them to celebrate how wonderful and unique it allows them to be.

[Pawpaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the diversity and the polaroid at the ending: big, bold, and beautiful us
OMG IT WARMS MY HEART

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are so cute! And it’s true, we are all different and can do so many different things from our unique traits!!