My Body Can

Laura Gehl is the author of nearly two dozen popular picture books, board books, and early readers. Her books include One Big Pair of Underwear (Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, International Literacy Association Honor Book, Booklist Books for Youth Editors’ Choice); the Peep and Egg series (Parents’ Choice Recommendation, Amazon Editors’ Pick, Children’s Choice Book Award Finalist); My Pillow Keeps Moving (Junior Library Guild selection, New York Public Library Best Books of 2018 selection); I Got a Chicken for My Birthday (Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2018 selection); and Baby Astronaut (A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2019 selection). She recently published Robot Shabbat with Apples & Honey Press. Laura lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.Alexandra Colombo has illustrated more than 200 books in countries around the world, including Ellie the Eggspert (Apples & Honey Press). She was born in Sofia, Bulgaria and attended secondary school in Italy, specializing in scientific studies. She then studied at the Milan European Institute of Design, receiving a degree in illustration. Alexandra’s charming artwork captures the magic, idiosyncrasies and unique personalities of children and animals in memorable, colorful settings. She lives in Milan, Italy.

"A diverse group of children celebrate the amazing things their bodies can do.Seven kids use their bodies in various ways, from riding a bike to eating a cake. The group includes one child in a wheelchair, one with a cochlear implant, one without visible hair, all with a range of skin tones and gender presentations. Some characters wear kippot. The book begins by introducing each of the children by name with their favorite activities, helping to bring each character’s personality to life. The text is a simple rhyming refrain: the phrase “my body can…” followed by an activity. The singsong rhythm and repetition are toe-tappingly fun, encouraging readers to engage in the kind of exuberant movement the book portrays. Bright, clean illustrations show children beaming with joy and pride in their abilities, whether they’re boldly prancing or quietly healing from an injury. Each of the children participate in their own way; for example, a spread with the words “my body can hike” shows two children on a trail, one walking and one using a wheelchair. While the activities are things any child might do, like spinning, laughing, or sewing, many are illustrated in the context of Jewish holiday traditions. For example, a page with the words “my body can build” depicts children building a sukkah. A concluding author’s note encourages kids to identify some of the Jewish holidays and symbols and provides suggestions for related movement-based play.Readers won’t be able to keep their own bodies still as they join in this joyfully intersectional romp."—Kirkus Reviews"Seven extremely diverse friends take the reader on a journey across a Jewish year demonstrating different actions and activities bodies can do throughout the calendar and Jewish year. Brightly colored illustrations fill each double page spread with joy and action and the inclusive representation shows children of many skin colors and abilities. One child uses a wheelchair, another has hearing aids, and another wears a head covering perhaps due to alopecia or cancer treatment. A final page offers adults some brief back matter for each holiday with a conversation starter. The text is simple and repetitive; each page begins “My body can …” with an illustrated activity (spin, clean, dip, etc.), making it a great early reader book. This inclusive picture book is recommended for libraries with Jewish holiday picture book collections."—Association of Jewish Libraries