Books about feeling different

We all have a body. They don't always function the same as other people's. And they certainly don't all look the same. But one thing is certain - every body deserves respect. This is an essential guide to embracing and respecting all bodies, for readers aged 9+. Sometimes social media can make us feel like we're not good enough if we don't have a 'perfect' body. But the truth is, everyone feels bad about their bodies sometimes - even celebrities with millions of followers. Author and campaigner Molly Forbes is here to show you that you - and ONLY you - get to decide how you feel about your body. And if we want to change the conversation around body image, we need to advocate for every single body - including those that look or function differently from our own. It's time to stop criticising the way we look, and celebrate all our glorious differences!

Meet the ploofers. They're going to do something together, all the same, all at the same time - but wait! Who did that? Who was different? A simple and joyful story about accepting and celebrating our differences.

From the author of 'The Same But Different Too' and 'I Am A Tiger' comes an uplifting picture book which encourages young readers to be themselves, even on tough days. For readers aged 3-7, this joyful picture book features rhyming text and a bouncy rhythm which grown-ups will love reading aloud. With an empowering message, the reader is encouraged to be true to themselves, whoever they are and however they are feeling.

Every family is different. Every family is special. Josie loves her family. Her mum, dad, brothers and sister - they're all the best and they all look different. A beautiful, moving celebration of what it truly means to be family, from the brilliant new picture book duo Patrice Lawrence and Diane Ewen.

These children and animals are all very different to each other. Some are big, some are small. Some are gentle, some are rough. Everyone is playful, but who's the best at hiding? But one thing's certain: they all love a good bedtime story! The perfect picture book for little ones who are just beginning to make sense of their place in the world.

Jon Roberts relates the real-life experiences of children with a variety of differences through their own words in this gently-told but immensely informative picture book.

This dog may be alone and without a home, but he's excited and ready to embrace a new life in a new town - and everyone in it! This town is a busy, vibrant place but sometimes it's hard being new and feeling different. Who will embrace him back? A big-hearted celebration of kindness and human connection, from the award-winning creator of 'Little Monkey'. Rich in detail and meaning, with beautiful artwork, this uplifting story is ideal for any child facing a new or daunting situation.

Little Emer doesn't like it when she's teased for having brown skin and fuzzy hair. She wishes she could look like everyone else. But with a little help from mum, Emer soon learns that we're all the same but different - and life is better that way!

Imagine a world where everyone looks identical, where all food tastes the same, where we all speak the same language. A world that is - well, pretty boring. But with an explosion of colour, the pages soon come to life. This joyful picture book encourages children to imagine the world as a vast library, with room on the shelves for everybody's story. It is a celebration of our incredibly diverse world as it really is: home to 195 countries with thousands of different cultures, 10 million colours and 4,300 religions.

My Dad has a shadow that’s blue as a berry, and my Mum's is as pink as a blossoming cherry. There’s only those choices, a 2 or a 1. But mine is quite different, it’s both and it’s none. A heartwarming and inspiring book about being true to yourself, by best-selling children's book creator Scott Stuart. This story considers gender beyond binary in a vibrant spectrum of colour.

Squirrels Sage and Sorrel are just the same: they like the same games, sing the same songs and say the same things at the same time. They even have the same stripe on their tails! But when Sage invites her friend for a sleepover, Sorrel discovers they aren't the same at all! So, while Sage has a huge family and an even bigger treehouse home, Sorrel lives with her mum in a tiny tree. Sorrel must hide how different she is, otherwise Sage won't be her friend - or will she?

Read about the Land of Blue, where it's OK to feel sad, find ideas for what to do with worries or how to slow down when your head is full of hurry. Give yourself time to chill out, find quiet voices in noisy places and discover kindness in yourself and others. Then maybe your own special thought machine will tell you, 'This is going well. You're doing great. You've got this!' And you have! This important and unique anthology of over 40 poems by three leading poets, well known for their empathy and perception, speaks to the heart of what children think and care about, offering understanding, support and encouragement.

Boys will be boys and girls will be girls - or so the meaningless saying goes. Because what if you’re a girl and you like cage fighting? Or you’re a boy and you love ballet? And what if you’ve always dreamed of being a scientist but you can’t see anyone who looks or sounds like you, and who has left a legacy - in the form of microscopes and Bunsen burners - for you to follow?

Drawing examples from sport, science and even business, 'Dare to Be You' empowers young readers to follow their own path, love what makes them different and question the world around them. When you stop doubting yourself, embrace change and let your kindness loose, you become your own action hero.

My body, your body, every different kind of body! All of them are good bodies! BODIES ARE COOL! This heart-warming, inclusive book filled with detailed and friendly illustration is a celebration of every kind of body that exists in the world. Through an empowering, rhythmic text that is perfect for reading aloud, little ones can explore various skin tones, body shapes, hair types, and more.

'I Am, You Are' is a powerful, practical book to help children and adults have meaningful discussions about disability and ableism. This book was written by disability activist Ashley Harris Whaley to support children, parents, teachers and carers, by explaining what disability is and why it should be celebrated.

Did you know that: finding your confidence is a lot like programming a computer? Understanding photosynthesis can teach you about following your passions? Peer pressure and Isaac Newton have more in common than you might think? Well, welcome to Dr Camilla Pang's scientific survival guide to growing up! As a child Camilla loved patterns and putting things in order. She was obsessed with Stephen Hawking. And the only language she really understood was science. Diagnosed with autism age 8, Camilla saw the world very differently. But with science as her sidekick, she was able to translate ideas she could understand (like gravity, photosynthesis and algorithms) onto things she couldn't (like peer pressure, emotions and finding your voice).

Everybody is different in some way - and being different is okay! Whether your body is big, small, wide or tall, it is something to celebrate and be proud of. This comical, picture book contains a positive, empowering message about being confident in yourself and is aimed at younger children.

Sometimes it can seem like the world isn't built for you or like you don't belong. But why should you change who you are for the sake of others? From the power of being different and discovering things you love about yourself, to using your voice to be an ally and show friendship to others, it's time to break the mould and find your place in the world.