Book Review
A short overview of this book
Any Body: A Comic Compendium of Important Facts and Feelings about Our Bodies by Katharina von der Gathen is is an honest, humorous and factual books for tweens and teens about the human body and all its’ diversity.
This is what the Publisher has to say…
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
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 10 to 14 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Any Body by Katharina von der Gathen from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, your friendly Sex Ed Rescue guide. Today, I want to tell you about a fantastic book for children called Any Body: A Comic Compendium of Important Facts and Feelings About Our Bodies by Katherina van der Garthen. Now, I’m not quite sure if Katherina is from Denmark or Germany, but no worries, because GECCO Press has translated it into English for us.
Let me just say, this book is absolutely lovely! It’s filled with diverse illustrations that celebrate the uniqueness of our bodies. I mean, just look at all the different legs and feet! It’s all about embracing diversity.
So, what’s inside this gem? Well, it covers everything from the outside of our bodies to the inside. It talks about the differences we have, the challenges we might face due to physical illness or disability, and even explores gender diversity with trans girls and boys feeling confident in their own skin. Plus, it delves into the perks and history of our bodies, how they change as we grow up and get older, and even how we can decorate and modify them.
But that’s not all! The book also addresses how other people might talk about our bodies, because let’s face it, sometimes people can be rude or judgmental. And at the end, there are some cool activities that encourage kids to explore and appreciate their own bodies. They can even color in the parts they love the most!
The illustrations are simply amazing. There’s a picture of people walking down the street fully clothed, and then you see them without clothes, and guess what? One person has a prosthetic leg! It’s all about embracing our bodies and celebrating the different ways we can express ourselves through touch, body language, and even the things we put on our heads.
You know, as kids get older, it can be a bit tricky to find books that tackle these topics in a way that’s engaging and relatable. But this book is perfect for that age group, around eight to eleven years old. It’s a great tool to start or continue those important conversations about diversity and body acceptance. When kids understand and appreciate their own uniqueness, they become more inclusive and accepting of others too.
I have to say, Katherina is an incredible sex educator, and her books are based on the questions she receives from children during her teachings. So you can trust that she knows what she’s talking about!
I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Any Body because it’s truly a gem. It’s a book that will empower children to embrace their bodies and celebrate the beautiful diversity that exists in all of us. Cheers!
