Can anyone recommend a childrens book about not changing who you are

[IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece]

My fabulous nearly 7yo goddaughter has, as a result of being bullied, decided that the best way to get people to like her is to change how she looks, speaks and dresses and I’m looking for a book that basically says you’re perfect as you are because shes fucking brilliant and I’m heartbroken she feels this way.

She loves books and responds to messages in them, she has a 3.5yo sister so absolutely fine if it’s aimed at younger then her as they can read together

I know this won’t be to everyone’s taste but it will be good for her

Thank you

Elmer is the classic picture book with this message.

Aw heart breaking! I dont have any books but I DRILLED into my nieces from the day they were born the phrase “I love you just because of who you are and all you have to is just be you”. I remember when my older niece could finally understand words etc and she said “ohhhh” I understand what you’re saying now . I’m hoping that I’ve imprinted it on their subconscious.
She’s lucky she’s got a godmother to look out for her - as well as a book if you (and you might do already) but maybe a fun outing just with her where you get to bluntly talk about all her wonderful
Good points?

My Body is Me.

Not a book, but the Juice Badge episode of Hey Duggee is about a bug who bemoans the fact he's too small to do anything who goes on to save the day precisely because he is so tiny.

Another vote for My body Is Me

Thank you! I’d love to take her out but unfortunately don’t live in the same country as her right now!

Will check oh suggestions. Thank you

Todd Parr does a whole range of books celebrating uniqueness, individuality and just being who you are. They’re picture books but suitable for a 7 yr old. I’d recommend The Feelings Book, It’s okay to be different, or the I Love You Book.

We’ve used them a lot in our house, they’re fab

Paperbag Princess

Trixie the Witch's Cat. A cat with one white paw wants to be like all the other black cats . Then uses magic to become like the others only to discover she would rather be herself. Its aimed at younger children so your niece might enjoy reading it with her sibling.

Oh thank you!

Giraffes can't dance maybe?

When my DD was picked on a couple of years ago, we read 'Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon' which is very much about being yourself, and which she enjoyed a lot. It's a bit obvious (a kid is picked on for her teeth / being small / having a squeaky voice) as it's aimed at younger kids, but like you've said could work with the younger sibling. I also personally love the paper bag princess recommended above!

Paperbag Princess, Rosie revere Engineer, Princess Smartypants, the creature choir. All have female leads who are a little different but ultimately come out on top by staying true to what makes them different. And of course as a chapter book, Matilda!

Perfectly Norman is a good one

Girls can do anything, it's about girls...well doing anything and the fact that we (females) are all different but all awesome

The Girls. It’s a story about four friends who were all different and grew up to different things but remain friends - it’s a really lovely story of friendship not being about being the same as others but appreciating people for who they are

I think perfectly Norman sounds like it maybe helpful www.goodreads.com/book/show/35892618-perfectly-norman

How To Be A Lion by Ed Vere is lovely and has exactly the message you’re looking for. Also Perfectly Norman as mentioned above.

Odd dog out by rob biddulph.
Maybe a little young but the drawings are lovely and if she likes to draw you can draw along on you tube
Otherwise what about one of the "stories for amazing girls" type books? I can't remember the exact title but there is one for boys which had famous people and shows you dont need to be a certain way to achieve greatness

It was the stories for boys who dare to be different
The girl one is goodnight stories for rebel girls. I also like the little people big world books about famous people you could pro a ly choose a few people who felt they didnt fit in
Elena Favilli and 1 more
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women

I can’t think of that exact message, but there might be books that have heroines similar to her, that will show her that it’s an okay way to be?
For example, I was a huge dreamer when I was little, people laughed at me for talking to invisible friends etc. But I loved Lizzie Dripping because Lizzie is also a dreamer. And any stories where the heroine or hero is a bit of an outcast (lots of the Jaqueline Wilson ones) even though they were nothing like me, were comforting because it showed me that you can be different but still great as a person.

Whatever you do, don’t show her Grease. I identified so much with Sandy, in a way I didn't usually with teens in films, and then that last scene where she changed for Danny left 12 year old me feeling so confused and rejected, wondering if I too should take up smoking and dress differently to fit in at my new secondary school

I wouldn't recommend goodnight stories fir rebel girls as one of the stories is actually about a male child...

There's a kids book called Shine that you can get about this with the message about embracing your individuality and also it's quite nice because it shows that all kids have SOMETHING they worry about but all learn to embrace.

Big dreams Little People, specifically Freda Kahlo.

I loved Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson when I was about that age, and it is a great story about how being yourself is best.