Does my bum look big in this ad? by Lisa Cox

Book Review

A short overview of this book

Does my bum look big in this ad? by Lisa Cox is a body image and media literacy book targeting tweens and teens.

Media literacy is an important skill that kids need to know. It is the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending.  Common Sense Media have some great information about how you can start teaching it to your child.

Books like this are important as they help kids to work out what is and isn’t real, when watching TV, watching youtube or surfing the internet, in magazines and more.

Plus it lays down the foundations for future talks about pornography. Kids who already recognise fake advertising and unrealistic images are more likely to understand that pornography is not reflective of everyday sex.

Ideal Age

Ideal for children aged 11 to 14 years.

Buy this book

✅ To buy a copy of Does my bum look big in this ad? by Lisa Cox you will need to search online for a stockist.

Video Transcription

A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is the YouTube channel where I share videos about all things related to sex education. Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on books because I review so many of them. If you’re looking to have natural, everyday conversations with your child about love, sex, relationships, puberty, porn, media literacy, and growing up, I recommend heading over to our website and signing up for the newsletter. I’ll provide you with the tools, ideas, and resources you need to have these conversations in a way that feels comfortable and productive.

Today, I want to talk about a book called Does My Bum Look Big In This Ad by Lisa Cox. It’s all about body image and the media. There’s actually a girl version and a boy version of this book, so they’re a bit gendered. The language used in each book is slightly different and focuses on topics that are relevant to boys and girls. These books are pretty small, with about 50 to 60 pages. Let me show you what’s inside.

Basically, this book is all about media literacy. It’s important for kids to understand that what they see on TV and the internet isn’t always real—it’s often made up. That’s where media literacy comes in. It’s slowly being introduced into school curriculums, and this book is one of the early ones on the topic. It helps kids understand that the images they see in magazines, for example, don’t reflect reality. It talks about airbrushing and how advertising can give us the wrong perception about a lot of things.

The book starts off with a section for parents, and then it dives into topics like body image, popular culture, and the behind-the-scenes of photo shoots. It even touches on dieting and bullying. One thing I really like about this book is that it has little sections where you can make a list of three things you like about yourself. And remember, these things don’t have to be physical. It’s a book you can work through together with your child, chapter by chapter, and discuss the questions it poses. It’s also a great resource to help you become more aware of media literacy yourself.

The book talks about how pop culture bombards us with images of people in underwear, trying to be cool. I mean, have you ever seen an ad for a lingerie cleaning product? It’s just crazy how sex is used to sell everything. It also touches on how advertising can make a product seem better than it actually is by using fancy packaging and pretty pictures. And of course, it delves into the messages the media sends us about how we should look, and the truth behind those airbrushed magazine photos. It even explores who’s responsible for these misrepresentations—parents, the media, or both?

This book wraps up with a section on boosting self-confidence when it comes to our bodies. It’s a fantastic resource for teens, especially as they navigate through puberty and experience changes in their bodies. Some kids really struggle with these changes, so it’s a great opportunity to start talking about it and help your child develop a healthy body image. It also equips them to critically analyze the images, videos, and movies they’re exposed to, so they can distinguish what’s real from what’s not.

I hope this review has been helpful. Remember, having open and honest conversations about bodies and growing up is so important. It sets the foundation for a healthy body image and helps kids navigate the media landscape with confidence. Cheers!

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