My Body, My Rules is as lively and informative as author/illustrator Andy Passchier’s earlier book, My Gender, My Rules. This one is both a celebration of body diversity and a guide to respecting all bodies, both one’s own and others’.
Every body is unique and deserves to be treated kindly, explains the main text. “You are the boss of your own body,” it adds, telling readers that they get to decide what feels right for them. The book goes on to explain boundaries, respect, consent, self-expression, the importance of listening to our bodies, and how all bodies work differently. Some people use tools to help their bodies do things, we learn, and it’s important to ask before touching other people’s tools or helping them.
Despite the strong theme of bodily autonomy, the book also conveys the age-appropriate message that sometimes readers will have to do things that don’t feel good, like taking medicine or wearing safety gear. “Grown-ups we trust will make these choices for us” to keep us safe and healthy, but it’s okay to ask questions and have input into this process, the text assures readers—while the page on consent notes, “If anyone, even an adult, isn’t following your boundaries, you can tell them how you feel or ask a grown-up you trust for help.”
As the main text plays out, Passchier’s delightfully diverse cast of children and their adults play and interact on the colorful pages. Their dialogs, given through speech bubbles, offer additional insights and examples for readers to connect with. Each page also carries the affirming message, “My Body! My Rules!”
The text doesn’t touch on queer-specific topics, but queer people are much in evidence, including a two-dad and two-mom couple, several gender creative characters (adults and children), and one dad who appears to have chest surgery scars, presumably a trans man.
Upbeat and affirming, while clearly and simply conveying important messages, this is a highly recommended volume for anyone wanting to introduce young people to the above ideas, spark conversations, and give children critical tools for the future.
