Most notably, Feder chooses clear and unapologetic language to describe body characteristics, challenging the negative connotations that are often attached to those bodies. Instead, young readers are able to people-watch through the pages, observing difference within the context of community. Whether riding a crowded bus, painting a community mural, or playing in a public park, no individual’s body is on particular display. With shared public spaces as the backdrop of her full-bleed spreads-and a refreshing lack of fanfare-author/illustrator Feder depicts people of many races, genders, disabilities, and physical attributes enjoying one another’s company, emphasizing connection rather than explanation. “Big bodies, small bodies / dancing, playing, happy bodies! / Look at all these different bodies! / Bodies are cool!” begins this engaging picture book, extolling the variety and splendor of human bodies in gentle, singsong text.

The pictures don't exhaust themselves, and neither does the experience.Ī bustling celebration of body positivity that lovingly features bodies, skin, and hair of all kinds. At '5 round buttons on a yellow gown,' we narrow in on the father-and-child we saw at the outset-and then proceed, via '3 sleepy kisses,' to '1 big girl all ready for bed.' Counting-down, from counting toes, is an inspired approach to bedtime. But there is also of course a natural progression, not only numerically but in-point-of-time. '10 small toes all washed and warm,' we begin '9 soft friends in a quiet room.' The feet are brown (with pink-rimmed toes against a red ground) the 'soft friends' are stuffed animals and dolls, and a Siamese cat the one unobtrusive pictorial device is the repetition of motifs from one illustration to the next-the toes poke into the stuffed animal picture, the cat does various cat-like things further on. The full-color, flatly-painted illustrations have in fact something of a primitivist Goodnight Moon feel (and somewhat the same coloration). No tricks, nothing fancy-just (in a welcome departure for Bang) a simple, reverberating bedtime count-down.

Ten nine eight by molly bang