It’s My Body, a book for kids on body diversity
From Quill and Quire:
It’s My Body! is an exuberant, kid-friendly nonfiction picture-book primer on body positivity. Simple, direct sentences celebrate “ALL KINDS” of bodies and kick-start a convivial conversation about how to be your body’s best friend.
Governor General’s Award–winning author-illustrator Elise Gravel’s signature quirky characters are in fine form. The endearingly wacky, googly-eyed monsters who populate these pages have their own unique shapes, sizes, colours, and abilities. The gallery includes a long-legged critter who looks like a pink wad of bubble gum on stilts, a round blue rascal with a toothy grin, and a reddish tube-shaped imp waving hello.
Full of pep, the cartoon illustrations showcase monsters in motion. Some of the exercising, playing, and dancing creatures use assistive devices including glasses, hearing aids, and wheelchairs, and all enjoy the feats their bodies can perform. The relatable text acknowledges the delicate mind–body connection: “Sometimes we feel good in our bodies, and sometimes we don’t.” Monsters have self-doubts too; one laments, “Are my horns too pointy?” while another confesses, “I like my eyes, but not my nose!” Combining laughs with thoughtful lessons, this robust resource also offers tips on how to treat your body with kindness and keep it “HEALTHY AND HAPPY.”
Not only is Gravel a marvellous monster maven, she is an indisputable children’s champion (honoured in 2019 with the Rights and Freedoms Award from the Quebec Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse). Affirmations like “Your body belongs to YOU and only you!” lead to a discussion of boundaries. Gravel is adept at breaking down big concepts into easily understood core truths: “Nobody should touch your body in ways that you don’t like. Other people have these rights too. You shouldn’t touch their bodies without asking first.” Sample social scenarios play out in the comic panels, making sense of consent and teaching kids that it is perfectly fine to choose high-fives over hugs when preferred.
With monster-sized aplomb and panache, Gravel delivers a message that can’t be heard enough: every body is worthy of love and respect.
Pink, Blue and You: my new book is in stores today!
My new book is in stores today! Let’s teach our kids that their gender shouldn’t define who they are, what they like and who they love. Buy it here!
Here’s a starred review from the School Library Journal:
“In her signature style, Gravel (What Is a Refugee? and others) and Blais provide an accessible introduction to gender and gender stereotypes. Beginning with smart, open-ended questions, the authors challenge readers to think about gender stereotypes, why they exist, and if they are true or fair. The book progresses to an overview of sex versus gender, complete with helpful visual aids, an exploration of pronouns, and ultimately, a few examples of how gender is treated in different communities. At each step, the authors ask readers what they think and how they feel. This engagement, coupled with the accessible presentation of the material, makes for an excellent resource. The folks depicted throughout vary in appearance, and include many skin tones, ages, and family structures. A few folks wear hijabs, and two others use wheelchairs. Gravel’s illustrative style is wildly appealing, and the comic-style presentation helps to endear the book to readers.
VERDICT: Thoughtful, engaging, and visually bright, this is an excellent addition to any library serving preschool and early elementary ages.”
Different ways to show kindness
Here’s a free printable comic I made to teach kids that there are many different ways to show kindness and to make people around you happier.
Teachers and parents, you can download it here and print it for school or home use (no commercial uses allowed).
Activity ideas for teachers:
• Ask your students to add other kind gestures and illustrate them.
For more free printable posters, visit my boutique in the “free printable stuff” section. To see my books, click here. If you want to license this image, contact my agent (Contact form above).
Science doesn’t lie to you
Changing our mind when finding new information is the smart thing to do. It’s also very challenging for most people. It would be worrisome if scientists were never revising their previous conclusions.
Teachers and parents, you can download it here and print it for school or home use (no commercial uses allowed). For more free printable posters, visit my boutique in the “free printable stuff” section. To see my books, click here. If you want to license this image, contact my agent (Contact form above).
Olga explains how to wear a mask
Here’s a free printable poster I made to show kids how to wear a mask. Teachers and parents, you can download it here and print it for school or home use (no commercial uses allowed).
For more free printable posters, visit my boutique in the “free printable stuff” section. To see my books, click here. If you want to license this image, contact my agent (Contact form above).
What’s a refugee?
I made this short comic to explain to kids what a refugee is.
Parents and teachers, feel free to print this for personal / classroom use only.
You’ll find a higher-res version HERE.
For my other free mini-posters, click HERE and then visit the “free printable stuff” section.
And while you’re at it, take a look at my books for children, too!
Scientists don’t come from Mars
I made this poster to teach kids that scientists are normal, regular people, and that everybody can become a scientist. Not just math geniuses!
Scientists make mistakes, often need help from others, don’t know everything, and don’t always have the best grades at school.
Teachers, parents, you can download and print this cartoon for home or classroom uses (no commercial use allowed). You can also print Olga’s explanation on the scientific method here and buy the Olga books here.
For all my free printable posters, click here.
Olga explains the scientific method: free printable
Here’s another free printable I made to explain the scientific method to kids. This mini-poster is for personal and classroom use (no commercial use allowed). Parents and teachers, you can find a higher-res to print for your students or for home HERE.
For those who don’t know who Olga is, you can find out more about this quirky scientist girl in this book:
To see my other free posters, visit my boutique and click on “free printable stuff”.
If you’d like to know when I release new free posters or books, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Girls can be
Here’s a little poster I made to counter gender stereotypes. Teachers and parents, feel free to print it for personal or school use (no commercial use, please). Click here to download a higher-res version.
There is now a BOYS version of this image! Also, if you’d like to further discuss gender stereotypes with your kids or students, take a look a this free e-book I made a while ago.
If you’d like to know when I release new free posters or books, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.