I think everyone struggles with their abilities, their looks, why somebody teases them and their ethnicity... just to name a few. These questions (and sometimes doubts) start at an early age and it's good to talk about them with your kids and instil in them that they are special and unique just the way they are. Today's book discusses these topics. I am sure it is one you will love to add to your collection.
Unwrapping...
"Minnie & Max are OK!"
Authored by Chris Calland and Nicky Hutchinson
Illustrated by Emma Smid
Ages 3-7
Unwrapping some sweet illustrations...
(especially Grandma)
About the book...
This is a wonderful book with a positive message concerning body image. Minnie has been teased about her hair at school and is feeling badly about herself, especially her looks. Why can't she have straight hair? Why can't she be different like her friends?
Grandma always picks her up with their dog Max after school. She immediately notices her little granddaughter's downheartedness.
"You seem a bit down in the dumps, Minnie, noticed Grandma, "is there something the matter?"
"Yes," Minnie whispered. She was feeling fed up. School had not gone at all well today. At playtime two girls wouldn't let her play with them. They'd laughed at her, saying, "You look silly!" She had thought about it all day."
Beloved Grandma, sensing her sweet girl's pain, suggests they go play at the park which always makes Minnie and Max so very happy. Once there they witness all sizes, shapes and abilities of kids and dog too. With empathy and love Grandma guides her little one through different ways she can build her self confidence thus building up their self-worth.
It seems body image is starting younger and younger these days. When I was teaching, kids even in grade two, were talking about diets they were on and the latest fashions they just had to have to look cool. The authors deliver a clear message with the aid of beautiful illustrations that will encourage and inspire kids to embrace who they are created to be thus enriching their mental health and overall well-being.
There are questions posed at the end of the book to help kids positively navigate through their times of personal dissection and in doing so they learn to celebrate and appreciate their own wonderful uniqueness. I highly recommend this book.
Meet the authors...
Chris Calland, Co-Director, Not Just Behaviour
Chris Calland B.A., P.G.C.E. , M.A. , has worked abroad as an English teacher and as a secondary school teacher - with 20 yrs experience as a specialist behaviour and mental health adviser for Bristol education authority working with schools and families. Now Co-Director at Not Just Behaviour, she works nationally with schools, universities, child professionals and parents on promoting children’s healthy body image and other aspects of children’s behaviour, emotional health and wellbeing. Chris passionately believes in the importance of promoting children’s body confidence and self- esteem. She is conscious of the many issues that affect our children’s mental health and has a particular interest in how we can build their resilience to the pressures of our modern society. Chris advises the government on children’s body image and has received an all- parliamentary award for her work in body image education.Chris believes that all schools should teach body image from an early age. She co- authored ‘Body Image in the Primary School’ (Routledge pub. 2011) with 50 evidence based lesson plans and ideas that are practical, fun, and easy to follow. Praised by Ofsted &recommended by the PSHE association. Chris is now working on 2 new books and appears regularly in the media speaking about children’s body image and mental health.
Nicky Hutchinson, Co-Director, Not Just Behaviour
Nicky Hutchinson Cert.Ed, B.Ed, Med. is formerly a primary school teacher and counsellor. She now runs an independent education consultancy, Not Just Behaviour working nationally with schools, universities, child professionals and parents on promoting children’s healthy body image and other aspects of children’s behaviour, emotional health and wellbeing. Nicky passionately believes in the importance of promoting children’s body confidence and self- esteem. She is conscious of the many issues that affect our children’s mental health and has a particular interest in how we can build their resilience to the pressures of our modern society. She advises the government on children’s body image and has received an all- parliamentary award for her work in body image education. Nicky's co-authored ‘Body Image in the Primary School’ (Routledge pub. 2011) with over 50 evidence based lesson plans and ideas that are practical, fun, and easy to follow. Praised by Ofsted & recommended by the PSHE association. Nicky also wrote ‘Intervening Early’, a book for early years practitioners on young children’s behaviour. She appears regularly in the media speaking about children’s body image and mental health.3-7
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