B Is for Bellies

Rennie Dyball, Mia Saine (Illustrator)

$19.99

Publication Date: July 11th, 2023

Publisher:

Clarion Books

ISBN:

9780358683650

Pages:

The MIT Press Bookstore

1 on hand, as of Apr 26 10:26am

(JR:HB)

On Our Shelves Now

Description

A joyous picture book celebration of every body from A to Z!

Letter by letter, B Is for Bellies is a joyous picture book celebration of every body from A to Z! This ode to self-love and kindness encourages us to remember that every body is worthy of respect, whether it be letting go on the dancefloor or engaging in peaceful rest.

Rennie Dyball’s bouncy rhyming text features affirmational ABCs paired with Mia Saine’s vibrant illustrations that showcase an inclusive range of body shapes and sizes, different races, abilities, and gender expressions. This fun and fulfilling read aloud for younger readers and their caregivers emphasizes that all bodies are good bodies.

About the Author

Rennie Dyball has been a writer her whole life—professionally since 2002, when she began her career as a reporter at People magazine. She went on to spend 15 years at the brand, writing for every section of the magazine and becoming an editor for People.com. Rennie covered every area of show business at People, in addition to human interest, sports, and politics. In 2008, she began ghostwriting on the side, and in 2017, she started her own business to focus on books. Thus far, Rennie has co-authored several non-fiction titles including Christian Siriano’s Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self (Grand Central, 2009) and TLC star of My Fat Fabulous Life Whitney Way Thore’s I Do It with the Lights On (Ballantine, 2016). Rennie lives in Towson, Maryland, with her husband and two young daughters.

Mia Saine is a non-binary illustrator and a native of Memphis, Tennessee. Since graduating from Memphis College of Art in 2017, they have specialized in commercial illustration, branding design, advertising design, and environmental design. Saine’s colorful, minimal digital illustrations strive to normalize and amplify minorities’ voices and experiences. Saine triumphs over the constant cycle of injustice, tropes, and stereotypes by showcasing minorities embracing their self-empowerment and happiness. Previously, they were a full-time graphic designer before indulging themselves in freelance as an illustrator. They continue to collaborate with others to bring awareness to encourage others to create a better tomorrow together.

Praise for B Is for Bellies

“I’m honored to dress women of all sizes and genders for the runway and the red carpet. I am so excited for Rennie’s forthcoming picture book that reminds children—and all of us—how important it is to accept and respect ALL bodies.” — Designer Christian Siriano

"The most important thing we can do for a child’s self-esteem is to teach them that their bodies (just like their skin color, ability, or gender) are perfect just the way they are. But this specific lesson is often left out of early childhood books and conversations. With parents reaching for books like B is for Bellies, we can hope that more children will grow up never having to undo the negative thoughts they have about their bodies and instead will grow up celebrating themselves as worthy, capable, and uniquely wonderful." — Whitney Way Thore, author, star of TLC’s My Big Fat Fabulous Life, and founder of the No Body Shame movement

“I know this is a book meant for children, but it really resonated with me, a 44-year-old woman! Maybe it’s quarantine, maybe it’s working in Hollywood where how you look is a big part of your job, or maybe it’s just a lifetime of subconsciously comparing ourselves to others ... whatever it is, I had tears in my eyes reading this. This book needs to be on every child’s bookshelf. It breaks my heart to see what happens to our tweens and to think of them as the little girls who were once so carefree and unaware of their looks. I wish we could bottle up that confidence and carry it with us as we age. This book is the reminder that we all need.” — Andrea Barber, author, Fuller House star, and mental health activist

“ . . . this is above all an early introduction to body inclusivity. Simple and powerful.” — Kirkus Reviews

A must-purchase in the ever-expanding genre of picture books that normalize the multitude of ways a body can be healthy and beautiful. — School Library Journal (starred review)

Common Sense Selection A remarkable ABC book, full of rhymes, colors, and inclusive illustrations, that teaches young readers about body positivity. Perfectly right for encouraging conversations and planting the seed that all bodies are good and should be respected. — Common Sense Media