Everybelly

Featuring diverse and inclusive body representation, Everybelly by Thao Lam will have readers dreaming of a hot summer day at the pool.

Maddie is on her way to the community pool. While walking there her stream of consciousness tells readers all about the people in her community while the illustrations show readers all of the different bodies in her community.

Thao Lam has crafted a beautiful story reflective of all different communities, centered around a very community based gathering place, the community pool. Not only will readers be dreaming about hot summer days while reading this story, they will also discover the many different people who live in communities just like theirs.

I love how this book feels like a walk with a child as they talk about their day, the things they observe and the goings on around them. This story felt very much like a walk home from school with The Bee as she spills all of the secrets of the day and her inner most thoughts. All readers will be able to see themselves and their experiences in this story.

The best part of the story is the acceptance of all the different bodies that we see in our community. I love how the story is a celebration of people and FOOD! I too, love food and it is so refreshing to have a story that embraces the deliciousness all around us, in particular, jelly beans! Thao Lam creates a space for readers to share the joy of eating their favourite foods and going to their favourite places while embracing diversity.

The illustrations, also by Thao Lam, give readers a visual of all the people in Maddie’s community through paper collage art.  She has done incredible work to ensure that so many different body types are represented to show readers that all bodies are incredible and can do amazing things!