Welcome to Litsy!

Thao Lam‘s collage art is instantly recognizable, and Everybelly is full of joy. Told from a child‘s perspective at a public pool, the story celebrates all kinds of bodies—freckled, tattooed, scarred, growing, soft, and strong. A loving tribute to the stories our bellies tell and a reminder that every body deserves its place in the sun. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #PictureBook #BodyPositivity

“Why can't you just fit in?“

This would be a great book to use when talking abut self identity in the classroom and more specifically how we feel about ourselves.

The Caldecott Medal | Picture book published in 2023
This story is discussing body image and how she feels about her body. The images portray the negative feelings she has about herself, feeling larger than everyone else. In some pages, she was drawn to take up the entire page.

I would use the book to talk about self care and love and how we need to live ourselves.

“She decided to make more space for herself... and was able to see a way out.“

2020 This book is beautifully illustrated and has so much symbolism within the pages. There not only is text but imagery and speach bubbles and shows a little girls emotions just within the pages.

“These are yours. They hurt me.”

BIG by Vashti Harrison is useful in the classroom because it opens conversations about body image, kindness, and self-acceptance. It can help students build empathy, recognize the power of words, and celebrate differences, making it a strong tool for social-emotional learning.

Vashti Harrison‘s BIG uses illustrations that are carefully organized to mirror the emotions of the story. The shifts in scale and space, showing the girl small and isolated, then later filling the page, highlight her journey from shame to pride. Colors move from muted to bright, and soft rounded lines contrast with sharper ones to show vulnerability and strength. The art doesn‘t just support the text but becomes essential in creating its meaning.