Loving the Skin You Are In: New Children’s Books

Self-confidence comes from within, but for kids who are different from their peers, it can be especially challenging to develop. For many, learning to love themselves in the face of bullying or discrimination can be a hard lesson to learn. (Grownups have trouble with this, too!) Encourage your kids to have confidence in themselves with these new children’s books about loving the skin you are in.

Loving the Skin You Are In: New Children’s Books

Disclosure: I received complimentary copies of some of the books below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Here are some of our favorite new picture books about loving the skin you are in. Share yours in the comments!

Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn is my daughter’s new favorite book. After all, it has so many of the things she loves: adorable animals, a unicorn, and lots of sparkles! (Seriously, get the book just for the sparkly contoured cover!) But as a mom, I love the book’s message of acceptance and friendship. Kitty is sure that she is a unicorn, but no one else believes her, even though she has made a horn to put on her furry little head. She tries many different ways to convince them, but when an actual unicorn appears, Kitty sadly accepts that she will never be seen as a real unicorn…until the unicorn confesses that he is a kitty-corn just like she is! Everyone needs a friend like this who really “sees” you for who you are – inside and out!

“Why am I different? Why is life so much harder for me than everyone else?” A young tiger born without stripes wonders what is wrong with her, why she isn’t like everyone else. A Tiger Without Stripes presents a beautiful metaphor for children to think about differences. For every child who has felt not good enough or who has worried about not being like other kids, this lovely tale with its gorgeous illustrations helps them see themselves in a new light. Sometimes differences can be a gift – though life might be harder, the rewards are greater as well. Highly recommended.

I love the Sparkling Me series, which are perfect for teaching kids about loving the skin you are in. Small or Tall, We Sparkle After All: A Body Positive Children’s Book about Confidence and Kindness is the story of a little girl who just wants to grow tall, something so many kids can relate to! Shreya is tired of being teased, but, using examples from Hindu mythology, her mother teaches her that there are advantages to every size. Even more surprising, her brother tells her that he sometimes wishes he was small like her! A great book for kids of all sizes to appreciate what makes them unique.

How Our Skin Sparkles: A Growth Mindset Children’s Book for Global Citizens About Acceptance is a beautiful explanation for children about race and why skin colors vary so much. I love that it goes into the scientific explanation about melanin but also addresses the emotional side, about how a young boy feels sad because he’s so much darker than his friends. I also appreciate that it talks about how skin color can vary even in one family. It’s also cool to read a non-American take on the issue: the family at the center of the story is Indian, and the mother tells a story about Krishna to explain that each person’s color is part of what makes them uniquely beautiful.

Sparkles of Joy: A Children’s Book that Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion uses the celebration of Diwali to help kids appreciate their own and other cultures. When Riya invites her friends over for a Diwali playdate, it becomes an opportunity to share her traditions and learn about theirs. This is a such a beautiful book, because it helps children see the similarities between different festivals and how customs that at first might seem strange, are actually familiar – and fun!

Here is a lovely library find, perfect for biracial and/or bicultural kids. Pip is a normal pig, except that one parent is pink and the other is black. She doesn’t think much about it until a new kid starts pointing out all the ways that Pip is different. And Pip decides that all she wants is to be like everyone else. A Normal Pig encapsulates so much that mixed kids experience, from having other kids turn up their noses at your “weird” lunch, to the classic, “Is that your babysitter?” question when another kid sees your mom for the first time. But the best part of the book is the creative solution Pip’s parents come up with to show her that there are so many different -and wonderful- ways that families can be.

I want to raise my daughter to be fierce, kind, and thoughtful. Which is why when she’s older I’m excited to share with her these new books from the Smart Girl’s Guide series from American Girl. Recommended for ages 10+, Making a Difference: Using Your Talents and Passions to Change the World and Crushes: Dating, Rejection, and Other Stuff address issues important to tween girls: making a difference in the world and (gulp!) crushes. (I’m not ready for that last one yet!) I like that these books take girls’ emotions and concerns seriously, giving thoughtful, age-appropriate advice. Crushes is an update from a 2001 edition and now includes discussion of same-sex relationships and stereotypes. Making a Difference is perfect for this moment in history, when kids are exploring how to get involved in activism and helping others.

I post often about diversity in children’s literature, but one group of kiddos that is often overlooked are those with special needs. The folks at Leaps and Bounds PT saw this gap and decided to do something about it! Introducing the wonderful new picture book Petey Goes To PT. It is super cute and engaging for young readers, with bright, colorful illustrations. This sweet story of Petey and his first trip to physical therapy would go a long way towards helping a child get over their fears about attending PT. After reading the book, my own son said he thought physical therapy looked like a lot of fun! Plus, we can’t underestimate the power of a child seeing other kids with special needs in a book. Share this with a special kid in your life!

How do you teach kids about loving the skin that you are in?

Related Posts:

Diverse Picture Books About Inner Strength

Strengthen Your Child’s Self Esteem and Positive Self Image

Teach Kids Self Confidence: Books and Music

Books About Being True to Yourself

Inspiring Kids to Love Themselves