Embrace your body by Taryn Brumfit

Illus. by Sinead Hanley. Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760895983.
(Ages: 3-6) Recommended. Adelaide woman Taryn Brumfitt is the leader of the worldwide Body Image Movement. This picture book for young learners is the latest project in her widespread crusade to end the body dissatisfaction epidemic. Her previous efforts include the Embrace yourself book and Embrace documentary for adults, as well as international keynote speaking and an education study guide for Year 9 and 10 Health and Physical Education students. There is also a documentary in the works for 8-12 year olds which will be given to schools as a free resource.
Based on the iTunes no. 1 hit children's song Embrace, the book and the song together comprise a fantastic resource for Early Childhood settings. Its message is to love your body, inside and out, with the aim of building a foundation for positive body image from an early age. The song is super catchy, easy to sing and dance to and follows the book word for word. The lyrics touch on not having to change the way we look to please anyone, that all bodies are unique and capable, how grateful we should be for what our bodies can do (arms for hugging, eyes for seeing the world, etc.) and how beauty is inside ('my beauty is my kindness').
'My body is my home, and what it does is magic. My body keeps me strong, a vehicle to my dreams'. It encourages us to love and embrace our body 'cause nobody's got a body like you.'
The text is short, every word is well thought out and the illustrations are bright and inclusive. Themes: Body image, Self-confidence.
Nicole Nelson