Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes:
10 Books About the Human Body
for Kids
by Dena McMurdie
As my kids have grown, they’ve asked me more and more questions about their bodies. What is a belly button for? What does a brain look like? Why do we have a skeleton?
Usually, this calls for a trip to the library. When my kids have questions, I often turn to books to help them find answers. Here are some of the best books about the human body for kids.
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Hello, World! My Body
Available from:With this brightly illustrated board book, your bundle of joy can learn the names of all their body parts. Young children will enjoy identifying their eyes, ears, fingers, and toes and learning what they do. With plenty of vocabulary words and colorful artwork, it’s no wonder Amazon named it an Editor’s Pick.
(Ages 0 - 3)Also available from: -
Dr. Seuss Discovers: The Human Body
Available from:Babies and toddlers will love learning about how bodies work with the help of Thing 1 and Thing 2. It’s the perfect introduction to the human body for tiny readers.
(Ages 0 - 3)Also available from: -
How it Works: Human Body
Available from:Learn about your bones, organs, and senses with this board book for toddlers and preschoolers. Interactive die-cut pages, layers, and bright illustrations make this informative book a must-read for curious children.
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
Bodies Are Cool
Available from:This picture book is an excellent way to teach your child body positivity. It celebrates bodies in all shapes, sizes, and colors—from hair to toes and everything in between.
(Ages 3 - 5)Also available from: -
Give Me Back My Bones!
Available from:Arrrgh! Kids will love this humorous story about a pirate skeleton hunting for its bones on the ocean floor. This picture book uses fun rhymes, alliteration, and wordplay to teach readers about the skeletal system while tickling the funny bone.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
The Fact-Packed Activity Book: Human Body
Available from:Learning about the body has never been so fun! Curious kids will love the hands-on nature of this exciting activity book. It’s jam-packed with puzzles, activities, fun facts, and plenty of information to keep aspiring scientists and doctors occupied for hours.
(Ages 5 - 9)Also available from: -
Gross and Ghastly: Human Body
Available from:If it’s repulsive, you can bet kids will love it. From farts to puke and things that ooze, readers will learn disgusting facts about the human body in this wildly entertaining book. Puzzles, quizzes, and games make it an irresistible pick for kids.
(Ages 6 - 9)Also available from: -
The Brain Book
Brain-obsessed kids will find a treasure trove of fun facts in this educational book. Inside, they’ll find snippets of age-appropriate information about the brain and nervous system, what they do, and how they work.
(Ages 7 - 9)Preorder from: -
The Body Book
Available from:Young readers will learn about the various systems in the human body with this interactive picture book. Transparent diagrams show how they fit and work together to make our bodies function.
(Ages 7 - 10)Also available from: -
1,000 Amazing Human Body Facts
Available from:Kids who want to dive deep into the human body’s inner workings won’t find a better resource than this book. Readers will have a blast poring over the pages filled with exciting information, stunning imagery, and fascinating facts.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2022.