Skip to main content
Log in

Positive Body Image-Related Strategies in Children’s Picturebooks

  • Published:
Early Childhood Education Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Positive body image, an important perspective in the research literature on body image with adolescents and adults, has become a popular theme in children’s picturebooks. This is promising and warrants researchers’ attention. Thus this study examined body image-related strategies in 50 children’s picturebooks, focusing on body image through content analysis based on the lens of positive body image perspectives. Four main strategies for promoting positive body image emerged from the study including body appreciation, inner positivity, perceived support for protective filtering, and adaptive body investment. This study also examined how these strategies were presented for promoting positive body image through text and pictures. This study fills a gap in the current literature regarding positive body image-related messages for young children. Findings clarify how children’s picturebooks can be used to encourage young children to love, respect, and take care of their own and others’ bodies physically and mentally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Children’s Literature Cited

  • Abraham, J. (2020). I am perfect just the way I am (M. Ortiz, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, V. X. (2012). The survival of the fattest: A fairy tale for fat kids (V. Boris, Illus.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berte, J. E. (2014). Why am I so fat, mommy? (B. Antifornario, Illus.). Janice Berte Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beshears, R. R. (2016). Please don’t call me chubby Roni! (R. Peters, Illus.). Nutrition Associates LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budd-Brown, E. A. (2020). Look at me (U. A. Faiq, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byers, G. (2020). I am enough (K. A. Bobo, Illus.). Balzer + Bray.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciccio, A. (2020). Macie’s mirror (G. Jaquet Illus.). Clavis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crenshaw, K., & Meschke, A. (2022). Her body can (L. Liu, Illus.). East 26th Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danielsdottir, S. (2014). Your body is awesome: Body respect for children (B. Bjarkadottir, Illus.). Singing Dragon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, L. (2019). One big heart: A celebration of being more alike than different (L. Fleming, Illus.). Zonderkidz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Educate and Empower Kids, Alexander, D., & Roberts, K. (2017). Messages about me: Sydney’s story a girl’s journey to a healthy body image (Educate and Empower Kids, D. Alexander, & K. Roberts, Illus.). Rising Parent Media.

    Google Scholar 

  • Educate and Empower Kids. (2017). Messages about me: Wade’s story a boy’s quest for healthy body image (Educate and empower kids, Illus.). Rising Parent Media.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endledow, D. (2018). The little girl who wanted to be big (D. Endledow, Illus.). HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Familia, P. (2014). My body belongs to me from my head to my toes (D. Geisler, Illus.). Sky Pony Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feder, T. (2021). Bodies are cool (T. Feder, Illus.). Dial Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, A. (2020). Not quite Snow White (E. Glenn, Illus.). HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, A. (2020). I am perfect: Body positivity for kids (A. George, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, A. E. (2020). The girl with the robot leg being brave (E. Harvey, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, T. L. (2021). My body is my own (L. Svetlova, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heneghan, J. (2020). All kinds of bodies (A. Rubio, Illus.). Crabtree Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, M. (2017). The great big body book (R. Asquith, Illus.). Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollingsworth, M. (2000). Tall body, short body, everybody’s somebody (D. J. Hochstatter & D. Edwards, Illus.). Concordia Pub House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyde, K. M. (2020). I am grateful for my body (N. Gelm, Illus.). Freedom House Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, L. (2020). Mirror mirror on the wall (Baobab Publishing Illus.). Baobab Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leila, A. (2019). Chunky (S. Bosa, Illus.). Thigh Meat Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manushkin, F. (2015). Happy in our skin (L. Tobia, Illus.). Candlewick.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matz, J. (2015). Amanda’s big dream (E. Patch, Illus.). Graceful Cat Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, B. (2018). Big and strong, I belong (L. Olliver, Illus.). Eifrig Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neeb, G. (2020). A story about being yourself: Abby Beech (G. Neeb, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neelamegan, P. (2020). I am not my shape (P. Neelamegan, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, K. (2000). Dancing in the wings (K. Nelson, Illus.). Puffin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. (2018). You’re perfect the way you are! (E. Dolotovskaia, Illus.). Evgenia Dolotovskaia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, A. Z. (2005). What I like about me! (M. Yamamoto, Illus.). Studio Fun International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noor, N. (2021). Beautifully me (N. H. Ali, Illus.). Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obermire, K. (2020). Your you (K. Obermire, Illus.). Archway Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passen, L. (2015). Fat, fat Rose Marie (L. Passen, Illus.). Henry Holt & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawat, T. (2019). Becoming beautiful (E. Napoli, Illus.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reznikova, E. (2016). Thank you, me (E. Reznikova, Illus.). DTPerfect, LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson-James, C. (2019). Reflection of me (I. Newton & G. Robinson, Illus.). Archway Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rockwell, L. (2012). The busy body book: A kid’s guide to fitness (L. Rockwell, Illus.). Dragonfly Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozanes, A. (2018). Short or tall doesn’t matter at all! (A. Rozanes, Illus.). Yazamia Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rustad, M. E. H. (2021). Healthy body image (M. E. H. Rustad, Illus.). Pebble Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samora, M. L. (2021). All bodies are good bodies: A children’s book about body positivity (M. L. Samora, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, M. (2020). My body is a good body (M. Simpson, Illus.). Body Love Boss.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staples-Green, M., & Staples, M. (2021). I love being me (M. Staples-Green, Illus.). Curly Crew Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stinson, K. (2021). The bare naked book (M. Cho, Illus.). Annick Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. R. (2020). A girl called round (C. Russell, Illus.). Free2Bee Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, P. (2002). My amazing body: A first look at health and fitness (L. Harker, Illus.). Sourcebooks Explore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, R. J. (2016). Ella’s tummy: A story of understanding for all ages (J. E. Weinstein, Illus.). Big Forehead Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, A. (2018). We are all beautiful (A. Zhang, Illus.). Independent Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Alleva, J. M., Holmqvist Gattario, K., Martijn, C., & Lunde, C. (2019). What can my body do vs. how does it look?: A qualitative analysis of young women and men’s descriptions of their body functionality or physical appearance. Body Image, 31, 71–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.08.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alleva, J. M., & Martijn, C. (2019). Body functionality. In T. L. Tylka & N. Piran (Eds.), Handbook of positive body image and embodiment: Constructs, protective factors, and interventions (pp. 33–41). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alleva, J. M., & Tylka, T. L. (2021). Body functionality: A review of the literature. Body Image, 36, 149–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.11.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azano, A. P., Tackett, M., & Sigmon, M. (2017). Understanding the puzzle behind the pictures: A content analysis of children’s picture books about autism. Aera Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858417701682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, R. S. (1990). Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Perspectives, 6(3), ix–xi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornioli, A., Lewis-Smith, H., Smith, A., Slater, A., & Bray, I. (2019). Adolescent body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: Predictors of later risky health behaviours. Social Science & Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F., & Pruzinsky, T. (2002). Future challenges for body image theory, research and clinical practice. In T. F. Cash & T. Pruzinsky (Eds.), Body image: A handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice (pp. 509–516). The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. L., Santos, M. T., & Williams, E. F. (2005). Coping with body-image threats and challenges: Validation of the Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 58, 190–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.07.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2022). Childhood obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2022b). Childhood obesity causes & consequences. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/consequences.html

  • Chafel, J. A., Fitzgibbons, S., Cutter, L., & Burke-Weiner, K. (1997). Poverty in books for young children: A content analysis. Early Child Development and Care, 139(1), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443971390102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2015). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (4th ed.). Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coyne, S. M., Linder, J. R., Rasmussen, E. E., Nelson, D. A., & Birkbeck, V. (2016). Pretty as a princess: Longitudinal effects of engagement with Disney princesses on gender stereotypes, body esteem, and prosocial behavior in children. Child Development, 87(6), 1909–1925. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crisp, T., Gardner, R. P., & Almeida, M. (2018). The all-heterosexual world of children’s nonfiction: A critical content analysis of LGBTQ identities in Orbis Pictus award books, 1990–2017. Children’s Literature in Education, 49, 246–263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-017-9319-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danowski, J., & Robinson, T. (2012). The portrayal of older characters in popular children’s picture books in the US. Journal of Children and Media, 6(3), 333–350. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2011.630741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dohnt, H. K., & Tiggemann, M. (2008). Promoting positive body image in young girls: An evaluation of ‘Shapesville.’ European Eating Disorders Review: The Professional Journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 16(3), 222–233. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.814

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faragó, F., Savoy, S., Xu, T., & He, Y. (2023). Body size representation in children’s picturebooks. Stephen F. Austin State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisén, A., & Holmqvist, K. (2010). What characterizes early adolescents with a positive body image? A qualitative investigation of Swedish girls and boys. Body Image, 7(3), 205–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.04.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García, J. F., Musitu, G., & Veiga, F. (2006). Self-concept in adults from Spain and Portugal. Psicothema, 18, 551–556.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Aldine Transaction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliwell, E. (2015). Future directions for positive body image research. Body Image, 14, 177–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halliwell, E., Diedrichs, P. C., & Orbach, S. (2014). Costing the invisible: A review of the evidence examining the links between body image, aspirations, education and workplace confidence. University of the West of England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harriger, J. A., Calogero, R. M., Witherington, D. C., & Smith, J. E. (2010). Body size stereotyping and internalisation of the thin ideal in preschool girls. Sex Roles, 63, 609–620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9868-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S., & Tantleff-Dunn, S. (2010). Am I too fat to be a princess? Examining the effects of popular children’s media on young girls’ body image. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 28(2), 413–426. https://doi.org/10.1348/026151009X424240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbozo, S., Tantleff-Dunn, S., Gokee-Larose, J., & Thompson, J. K. (2004). Beauty and thinness messages in children’s media: A content analysis. Eating Disorders, 12(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640260490267742

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Husband, T., & Lee, A. (2018). Reading in the dark: Whiteness and racial representation in Caldecott books. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 8(2), 50–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwewon, K., & Tae-Im, H. (2021). Body image concerns among South Korean kindergarteners and relationships to parental, peer, and media influences. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(2), 177–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01059-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H., & Han, T. I. (2021). Body image concerns among South Korean kindergarteners and relationships to parental, peer, and media influences. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49, 177–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01059-z

  • Kleinheksel, A. J., Rockich-Winston, N., Tawfik, H., & Wyatt, T. R. (2020). Demystifying content analysis. American journal of pharmaceutical education, 84(1), 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavanya, N., & Raichel, M. S. (2016). Cognitive development among children through select picture books of Eric Carle. Language in India, 16(6), 54–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leininger, M., Dyches, T. T., Prater, M. A., & Heath, M. A. (2010). Newbery award winning books 1975–2009: How do they portray disabilities? Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 45(4), 583–596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, E. (2008). La imagen corporal sin cuerpo: Angustia, motricidad e infancia. Revista Intercontinental de Psicología y Educación, 10(1), 91–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M., Cooper Borkenhagen, M., Converse, E., Lupyan, G., & Seidenberg, M. S. (2022). What might books be teaching young children about gender? Psychological Science, 33(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976211024643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lombardi, K., Beatty, S., Devine, A., Wallace, R., & Costello, L. (2020). Fat talk: Influences on body image in childcare. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 31(2), 224–231. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathis, J. B. (2016). Literature and the young child: Engagement, enactment, and agency from a sociocultural perspective. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 30(4), 618–629. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2016.1214650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., Hubbard, J. J., Gest, S. D., Tellegen, A., Garmezy, N., & Ramirez, M. (1999). Competence in the context of adversity: Pathways to resilience and maladaptation from childhood to late adolescence. Development and Psychopathology, 11(1), 143–169. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579499001996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McHugh, T. L. F., Coppola, A. M., & Sabiston, C. M. (2014). “I’m thankful for being Native and my body is part of that”: The body pride experiences of young Aboriginal women in Canada. Body Image, 11(3), 318–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.05.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza, J., & Reese, D. (2001). Examining multicultural picture books for the early childhood classroom: Possibilities and pitfalls. Early Childhood Research & Practice, 3(2), n2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel, J. E., & Levine, M. P. (2011). Embodying experiences and the promotion of positive body image: The example of competitive athletics. In R. M. Calogero, S. Tantleff-Dunn, & J. K. Thompson (Eds.), Self-objectification in women: Causes, consequences, and counteractions (pp. 163–186). American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Musher-Eizenman, D. R., Holub, S. C., Edwards-Leeper, L., Persson, A. V., & Goldstein, S. E. (2003). The narrow range of acceptable body types of pre-schoolers and their mothers. Applied Developmental Psychology, 24, 259–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0193-3973(03)00047-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2011). Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention (2nd ed., pp. 180–188). The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niland, A. (2021). Picture books and young learners’ reading identities. The Reading Teacher, 74(5), 649–654. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pallan, M. J., Hiam, L. C., Duda, J. L., & Adab, P. (2011). Body image, body dissatisfaction and weight status in South Asian children: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 11(21), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paxton, S. J., & Damiano, S. R. (2017). The development of body image and weight bias in childhood. In J. B. Benson (Ed.), Advances in child development and behavior (pp. 269–298). Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piran, N. (2016). Embodied possibilities and disruptions: The emergence of the Experience of Embodiment construct from qualitative studies with girls and women. Body Image, 18, 43–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.04.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piran, N., & Teall, T. (2012). The developmental theory of embodiment. In G. McVey, M. P. Levine, N. Piran, & H. B. Ferguson (Eds.), Preventing eating-related and weight-related disorders (pp. 169–197). Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pont, S. J., Puhl, R., Cook, S. R., & Slusser, W. (2017). Stigma experienced by children and adolescents with obesity. Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-3034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sigmon, M. L., Tackett, M. E., & Azano, A. P. (2016). Using children’s picture books about autism as resources in inclusive classrooms. The Reading Teacher, 70(1), 111–117. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. D., Fu, E., & Kobayashi, M. A. (2020). Prevention and management of childhood obesity and its psychological and health comorbidities. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7(16), 351–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smolak, L. (2004). Body image in children and adolescents: Where do we go from here? Body Image, 1, 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1740-1445(03)00008-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smolak, L. (2011). Body image development in childhood. In T. F. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention (pp. 67–75). The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snapp, S., Hensley-Choate, L., & Ryu, E. (2012). A body image resilience model for first-year college women. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 67(3–4), 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-012-0163-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smolak, L., & Cash, T. F. (2011). Future challenges for body image science, practice, and prevention. The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research techniques: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatangelo, G., McCabe, M., Mellor, D., & Mealey, A. (2016). A systematic review of body dissatisfaction and sociocultural messages related to the body among preschool children. Body Image, 18, 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tylka, T. L. (2011). Positive psychology perspectives on body image. In T. F. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention (pp. 56–64). The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tylka, T. L. (2018). Overview of the field of positive body image. In E. A. Daniels, M. M. Gillen, & C. H. Markey (Eds.), Body positive: Understanding and improving body image in science and practice. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tylka, T. L., & Piran, N. (2019). Handbook of positive body image and embodiment: Constructs, protective factors, and interventions. Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. (2015). A positive complement. Body Image, 14, 115–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.04.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, E. F., Cash, T. F., & Santos, M. T. (2004). Positive and negative body image: Precursors, correlates, and consequences. 38th annual Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, 285–297

  • Wood-Barcalow, N. L., Tylka, T. L., & Augustus-Horvath, C. L. (2010). “But I like my body”: Positive body image characteristics and a holistic model for young-adult women. Body Image, 7, 106–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.01.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2020). Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tingting Xu.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xu, T., He, Y., Faragó, F. et al. Positive Body Image-Related Strategies in Children’s Picturebooks. Early Childhood Educ J (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01543-2

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01543-2

Keywords

Navigation