In her debut English language picture book, Japanese author Maki Saito uses beautifully illustrated pictures of animal bottoms to celebrate the many shapes and sizes of all living things. The animals in the story show off their unique bottoms with pride and can be used to generate conversations around the importance of having positive self-identity in Physical and Health Education. The light-hearted nature of this story reminds young audiences to think about what qualities make them unique and special rather than compare themselves to others. This story also offers opportunities to explore big ideas in Science, as the diversity of animals generates discussion about how animals are equipped with special features to survive in their environments and how they interact in their ecosystems.

32 pp., 11 × 9", colour illustrations

Source: APC - BC Books for Schools (2021-2022)

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MAKI SAITO is an artist and author known for her unique artistic methods using paper collage, stenciled paintings, and bin-gata, a traditional Japanese dyeing technique developed in Okinawa. She has written and illustrated several books in Japanese, inspired by her love for all living creatures in nature. Animals Brag About Their Bottoms is her first book translated into English.

“The text is light, conversational, and funny; and the painterly patoots are lovely in their texture and shading…. By the end (ha!) we’ve learned a little about these remarkable creatures.”
—The Horn Book

“This humorous title delivers just what it promises: fauna fawning over their own rumps. ...In Saito’s delicate renderings, each bottom is distinct and, yes, beautiful.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“From a cuddly round bunny bottom to a hippo’s “so-o-o big” bum, Saito celebrates animal behinds in all their forms...there’s not a trace of self-consciousness in this jaunty, no-nonsense exhibition of animal posteriors.”
—Publishers Weekly

“With the frissonof the forbidden, it focuses on animals’ amazingly stylish rear-ends — from fluffy to striped to spiky, with humorous charm and elegant illustrations.”
—Toronto Star

“This off-beat book will appeal most to science-minded young ones, who will be fascinated by an angle of their animal friends they rarely get to see. Where else but a children's picture book could an okapi, alpaca, armadillo, Malayan tapir, and Japanese macaque line up to boastfully present their posteriors?”
—Booklist

“Bottom books are ever popular but few are executed in such style as this irresistible read. An adorable line up shows off their rears in pride in a nod to body positivity.”
—The Bookseller