Any Body

A Comic Compendium of Important Facts and Feelings about Our Bodies

  • Interest Level: Grade 5 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 5

An honest, humorous and factual book for children and early teens who want to understand and feel at home with their own bodies.

Sometimes we feel uncomfortable in our own skin, sometimes invincible. Expert Katharina von der Gathen’s many years of experience working with children as a sex educator are the basis for this witty encyclopedia covering interesting facts about skin, hair and body functions alongside the questions that may affect us through puberty and beyond—gender identity, beauty, consent, self-confidence, how other people react and relate to us, and how they make us feel.

With accessible and warm text, Any Body gently acknowledges common feelings of ambivalence about our bodies. Through showing body diversity and positivity, it encourages acceptance of self and others. The illustrations are relatably funny and include charts, cartoons and more—even a handy page of visual compliments.

This compendium is an encouraging starting point for conversations with children navigating puberty and laying the foundations for body acceptance in a straightforward and highly entertaining way.

Translated from the German edition by Shelley Tanaka.

Katharina von der Gathen works in the area of sex education with children and adolescents from a wide range of backgrounds. She lives in Germany.

Anke Kuhl is one of Germany’s leading children’s book illustrators, whose awards include the German Youth Literature Award in 2011.

  • Bodies from the outside
  • Body difficulties
  • Bodies from the inside
  • Poster pages
  • Changing bodies (and minds)
  • How we change our bodies
  • Other people and your body

Praise for Any Body
“A whimsical, enlightening, and empowering volume to set readers on the path toward self-acceptance and body positivity.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

”This factual guide in an eye-catching package will appeal to curious browsers.“—Booklist

”A wonderfully browsable – and amusing! – book to help a kid understand their body and their feelings about it as they go through puberty.”—Youth Services Book Review

A California Reading Association Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award, Silver Honor

Format Your Price Add
978-1-77657-546-6
$9.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 5 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 5
Genre Science
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Browseable Nonfiction, 5KN: Expository Literature, Diverse Books: Celebrating Differences , Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2023
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Gecko Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 88
Publication Date 2023-05-09
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF024050, JNF051030, JNF053160
Dimensions 6.6 x 9.6
Features Activities, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, and Teaching Guides

Author: Katharina von der Gathen

Katharina von der Gathen was born in 1972. She works in the area of sex education with children and adolescents from a wide range of backgrounds. She lives in Bonn with her husband and four children.

Illustrator: Anke Kuhl

Anke Kuhl is one of Germany’s leading children’s book illustrators, whose awards include the German Youth Literature Award in 2011. She lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two children.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Any Body

An honest, humorous and factual book for children and early teens who want to understand and feel at home with their own bodies. Sometimes we feel uncomfortable in our own skin, sometimes invincible. Expert Katharina von der Gathen’s many years of experience View available downloads →

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Awards

  • Eureka! Children's Book Award Silver Honor, Winner, 2023

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

“A sense of acceptance and celebration for body differences permeates this joyful read. . . . A whimsical, enlightening, and empowering volume to set readers on the path toward self-acceptance and body positivity.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Booklist

“[S]traightforward informational snippets feature technical vocabulary, celebrate diversity and inclusivity, and are supported by bright cartoon illustrations that add perspective and humor. . . . This factual guide in an eye-catching package will appeal to curious browsers.”—Booklist