A Boy and His Mirror

Celebrating each other for who we are

Marchánt Davis – an actor, writer and producer hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – has released his picture book debut with A Boy and His Mirror, illustrated by bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo, whose stunning illustrations bring the book and its message to life.

A Boy and His Mirror follows the story of Chris, a young boy who learns to celebrate his unique hair with the help of his mirror. Chris’ classmates tease him about his hair, even though he loves it, and he is confused by this. Seeking answers in his mirror, a lady appears from where Chris’ reflection should be and gives him the advice he is looking for.

Feeling like a king, Chris returns to school with newfound confidence, but it turns out that this advice changes the way he treats others, and he is disliked by the other children. Returning to the mirror for more answers, Chris learns that he should offer respect to others and be less judgemental. Chris takes these lessons back to school with him and spreads the message to his peers, and his willingness to put himself out there helps Chris make some new friends, while feeling good in the knowledge that he has demonstrated empathy and is able to say how he feels, staying true to himself.

A Boy and His Mirror serves as a crucial reminder that we should look past our external might have, from ADHD, to dyslexia, to anxiety, and teaches awareness through colourful and engaging illustrations and positive, informative language that allows everyone to feel seen and included.

Whether your child has a neurodivergent experience or not, this book will inspire inquisitive young readers whilst educating everyone, and show them that no two brains function in the same way and that everyone’s different brains should be celebrated.

Louise lives in Norfolk with her family, and as she and her family are neurodiverse, she is passionate about increasing visibility in children’s books.

LOUISE GOODING Author

www.louisegooding.com appearances and celebrate each other for who we are, which never goes out of fashion no matter how much our styles change.

MARCHÁNT DAVIS Author www.penguinrandomhouse.com/ books/625036/a-boy-and-his-mirrorby-marchant-davis-illustrated-byketurah-a-bobo

Creating a praxis of self-love and fighting anti-fat bias for the very young

Infants and young children have an infectious sense of joy and wonder about their bodies. As they grow, they discover the many amazing things our bodies can do, like picking up a toy, eating yummy food, crawling or listening to a loved one tell them a story. This love and appreciation for our bodies is something we wanted to capture and hold on to in writing our picture book, I Love My Body Because, a 2023 Rise Honoree.

In the summer of 2018, we began talking about the need for a practice that children, and the adults that read to them, can return to when they are faced with doubt, insecurity or even just general curiosity about their bodies and the bodies around them. Inspired by our own experiences as girls in a world intent on eroding this sense of joy and wonder about our bodies, our book, I Love My Body Because, takes the reader on a journey of self-love.

This journey begins with a celebration of how our bodies move us through the world, both physical and imagined. We describe how our bodies take us where we want to go, whether on the playground, the beach or deep in a story we pick up from the library.

Secondly, we explore various ways to take care of our bodies, from seemingly simple actions like brushing our teeth to self-care practices like journaling. We emphasise how our bodies are changing and ever evolving and that we make mistakes but can still honour and love our bodies just as they are.

Thirdly, we explore and celebrate the diversity of all bodies. By taking the discussion from the individual level to the community level and beyond, we hope that children will practise loving and respecting not only their individual bodies, but all the bodies around them.

We are honoured to be included in the amazing and growing bodies of work focused on celebrating all bodies and fighting against ableism and fatphobia. I Love My Body Because, an ode to our bodies, is meant to shift the near constant shaming of people who are fat or disabled, and celebrate the fact that everybody has a body and that all bodies are good!

SHELLY ANAND AND NOMI ELLENSON Co-authors

www.shellyanand.com www.linkedin.com/in/nomi-ellenson-8a328627