Author(s): Katharina von der Gathen and Anke Kuhl

Children's Non-Fiction

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.

Praise for Tell Me
“(Tell Me) employs appropriate vocabulary that’s respectful of the capabilities of their audience and calmly inclusive of variations in human and cultural experience....Funny and frank, this will be an important resource for many kids.” Kirkus Reviews

“This is a great book of questions and answers that will spur discussion and help start or continue essential conversations about growing up.” San Francisco Book Review

“One of the best books on the topics of bodies, sex, and emotions that I’ve encountered.” School Library Journal