From My Head to My Toes

by Aly Raisman, Bea Jackson (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

From Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman comes an inspiring celebration of self-love and self-care. Touching on important themes of consent and bodily autonomy, this book packs so much for young minds, and it's all illustrated by the talented Bea Jackson.

A joyful ode to loving and caring for our bodies, from Olympic gold medalist and advocate Aly Raisman and bestselling artist Bea Jackson.

My body is my own.

My body is just right for me,

From my head to my toes

From My Head to My Toes gently introduces young readers to the topics of consent and bodily autonomy in a positive way. Cheerful and informative, this story focuses on the powerful message of self-love. Aly’s inspiring words are paired with expert-vetted resources, giving adults the tools to begin having these essential conversations with kids from a young age.

Praise for From My Head to My Toes:

"Raisman has created a much-needed resource for starting a dialogue about consent...Necessary and empowering." –Kirkus

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250798107
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Aly Raisman is an activist and Olympic gold medalist who captained the U.S. gymnastics team to gold in 2012 and 2016. A native of Needham, Massachusetts, Aly is a leader on and off the mat. She's a fierce advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, and was honored at the Glamour Women of the Year awards for her efforts. Aly is the author of the New York Times-bestselling YA memoir Fierce. From My Head to My Toes is her debut picture book.

Bea Jackson is the award-winning artist of beloved picture books such as Hair Like Mine by Latashia M. Perry and the New York Times bestseller Parker Looks Up by Parker and Jessica Curry. She lives in Detroit, Michigan.

Bea Jackson is a concept and character artist and an illustrator. In addition to her work that appears on book and comics covers and in magazines and articles, she has also created the artwork for numerous children’s books, including Parker Looks Up, a New York Times bestseller and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work nominee; Parker Shines On; and Our Beautiful Colors.

Editorial Reviews

03/04/2024

Affirmations weave throughout activist and Olympian Raisman’s work about boundary setting and being in tune with one’s body—as a motif reads, “from my head to my toes.” Early lines celebrate self-love (“I am strong./ I am beautiful./ I am unique”) and caretaking (“I love my body,/ so I am kind to my body”), then move into specific appreciations for the way that a person’s body can communicate (“It tells me/ when I am hot or cold,/ and when I am sleepy/ or hurt or hungry”). Eventually, the refrain provides transition to a discussion of bodily autonomy and consent. Plain-spoken text prepares readers for moments when someone might “hug me or tickle me” without first asking permission, and then asserts every individual’s right to say no when people who “do not respect that my body is my own... touch me without my permission.” In kinetic action scenes, Jackson’s signature-style artwork features active youth of varied abilities, body types, and skin tones, among them the author, identifiable in an “Aly” tee. A note to adult readers addresses the author’s personal experience with abuse and offers resources. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Raisman has created a much-needed resource for starting a dialogue about consent...Necessary and empowering." – Kirkus

"Affirmations weave throughout" – Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2024-02-03
Olympic gold medalist Raisman, who in 2017 spoke out about the sexual abuse she’d endured, presents a primer on bodily autonomy.

“I am strong. I am beautiful. I am unique. I am enough.” So begin the affirmations that appear in this sensitively written book. Raisman underscores the importance of being kind to one’s body and listening to what it needs. She notes that others need to ask permission before touching our bodies; sometimes the answer will be yes, but other times, it will be no. Either is acceptable. Sometimes, someone will forget to ask or won’t respect the answer. When that happens, children can tell them to stop. If they feel unsafe, and it’s hard to say no, they can ask for help from people who make them feel safe. Our voices are just as “powerful,” “beautiful,” and “worthy” as our bodies. Emphasizing the strength inherent in every person—and making clear that we all deserve respect—Raisman has created a much-needed resource for starting a dialogue about consent. Backmatter offers tips for adults about discussing bodies and boundaries. Jackson’s expressive, pastorally soft illustrations depict people, diverse in terms of race, ability, and body type, practicing gymnastics, gardening, and playing basketball. A light-skinned girl wearing a shirt reading “Aly,” presumably a stand-in for the author, features prominently.

Necessary and empowering. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews