What happens when a four-year-old child looks in the mirror and says, “My thighs are too fat”? For author and illustrator Thao Lam, that heartbreaking moment with her daughter became the catalyst for a beautifully honest picture book: Everybelly.
In this episode, Thao and I discuss the emotional, creative, and cultural journey behind her new book—and how storytelling can shape the way kids view their bodies.
Show highlights
1. A Personal Spark
When her young daughter made an unexpected comment about her body, Thao realized that silence wasn’t protection. It was time to start a conversation—and to use picture books as a platform for body positivity.
2. Why Bellies?
Bellies are one of the most criticized parts of the human body, yet they’re also central to life, comfort, and culture. In Every Belly, Thao uses spare illustrations and a poolside setting to help children recognize and respect a wide range of bodies.
“I hope they are kinder to themselves, kinder to their bellies. There’s lots of opinions out there. The only opinion that really matters is yours.”
Thao Lam
3. Food, Family, and Representation
From spicy noodles to jelly beans, the book’s celebration of food mirrors the diversity of its characters. Thao speaks about using meals as a gateway to culture, inclusion, and self-acceptance.
4. Writing as Resistance
Though she began her career as an illustrator, Thao turned to writing to push back against labels—and gatekeeping in the publishing world. Her journey is one of persistence, experimentation, and fierce love.
Thao also shares her journey from illustrator to writer, what it’s like to write when you don’t feel qualified, and why she wants readers to walk away from Every Belly feeling one thing: hungry.
Everybelly is out now from Groundwood Books, and you can order a copy here.
Got any thoughts on this episode or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
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About Thao Lam
Thao Lam fled from Vietnam to Canada with her family as a child. Learning English was difficult, and it was picture books that helped her understand this new world and ignited her passion for visual storytelling. She has an insatiable love for colored and textured papers, which she uses to create her exuberant collages. Thao is the author and illustrator of eight award-winning children’s books and creator of animated short films. Her animated documentary, Boat People, was produced by the National Film Board of Canada in 2023.
Visit Thao’s website: www.thaolam.com
About Everybelly
Maddie and her mom spend a sunny day at the local public pool, where she meets and greets friends and neighbors. Maddie is waist-high on most of them, and she knows there’s an interesting person behind every belly she passes — like Jackie, the artist with a splatter of ice cream across their belly. Maddie’s splatter painting often leaves Mama speechless, too!
The poolside belly parade keeps Maddie musing: How bellies can make excellent tables, how hard some people work to keep their bellies flat when Maddie prefers her belly full, and how you should never, ever stick your hands in other people’s bellies, no matter how soft and doughy they might look. (Maddie’s cat taught her that the hard way.)
As Maddie dances, swims and makes the long climb up to the diving board, Thao Lam’s celebrated cut-paper collage portrays bellies and bodies of all shapes and sizes — bellies with scars, tattooed bellies, growing bellies, growling bellies, bellies with six-packs, stretch marks, insulin monitors, freckles and more — proving that every belly deserves its place in the sun.
Guest’s links
Connect with Thao on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaohlam/
Visit Thao’s website: www.thaolam.com
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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