The Reading Public Library is excited to host a small but mighty Community Read that celebrates community dialogue around the themes of body autonomy, body positivity, and body neutrality. Unapologetically Positively You features two signature titles, Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability by Summer Michaud-Skog and Starfish by Lisa Fipps. The picture book, Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder, will serve as the Family Book Club pick throughout the Read from August 13 – October 8, 2022.
Everyone in the community can participate: read a book, share perspectives, attend a program, engage on social media and build a stronger community together. Free copies are available at the library and at various locations throughout town.
#RPLcommunityread2022 #everybodyisagoodbody
The Community Read is part of the Reclaiming Your Story Civic Hub grant. Additional support from:
Selected Titles
Summer Michaud-Skog, founder of the Fat Girls Hiking community, offers a book brimming with heartfelt stories, practical advice, personal profiles of FGH community members, and trail reviews. It all serves to spread the Fat Girls Hiking message of inclusivity and diversity in the outdoors.
Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules — like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,” and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.” With the help of some wonderful allies and her safe escape — her swimming pool — Ellie gains confidence to be unapologetically her own fabulous self.
This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over. Bodies Are Cool is a pure celebration of all the different human bodies that exist in the world. Highlighting the various skin tones, body shapes, and hair types is just the beginning in this truly inclusive book.
Participate
Author Events
August 11 @ 7pm: Trails Not Scales with Summer Michaud-Skog October 4 @ 7pm: Take a Dip with Lisa Fipps: Author of StarfishPrograms
September 15 @ 7pm: What We Talk About When We Talk to Our Bodies: Language, Body Love, and Yoga with Rachel Estapa September 20 @ 10am: Toddler Storytime with the Town Manager CANCELED: September 26 @ 4pm: Mini Emergency Hiking Kits for Teens!Virtual Discussion
Share your thoughts, or pose a question to your fellow readers! Click on the title below to bring you to its respective discussion board.
Books Around Reading
While the Library has plenty of extra copies available for checkout, librarians have strategically placed copies at various locations throughout town waiting to be discovered. If you stumble upon one of our collections in the wild, take a book, read it, and return to the location for the next person to enjoy.
Town Locations
- Burbank YMCA
- Fat Larry’s
- Pleasant Street Center
- Reading Food Pantry
- REI
- Starbucks (Main St)
Reading Public School Libraries
- Reading Memorial High School
- Walter S. Parker Middle School
- Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School
- Wood End Elementary School
- Joshua Eaton Elementary School
- J. Warren Killam Elementary School
- Birch Meadow Elementary School
- Barrows School
Blog Posts
Booklists
Be Counted
We hope to engage 2,500 people – 10% of the town of Reading! If your book club, classroom or organization has discussed one of the books or participated as a group in a program, please let us know so we can count you! You can also count your participation by completing this short participation form.
Community Partners
· Burbank YMCA · Fat Larry’s · Reading Food Pantry · REI · Senior Center · Starbucks (Main St.) · Whitelam Books ·