When 14-year-old Arianna Shaprow was mocked by a classmate who called her “piggy” and shared photos of her at a pool party in the class group chat, she made a powerful decision: to channel her experience into a creative endeavor.
“Comments like these naturally make you question yourself,” Arianna says. “It takes a lot of internal work to sustain confidence.”
Fueled by both her experience and a startling statistic — that 40 to 60% of girls struggle with body image — Arianna felt compelled to take action. Her response came in the form of “Love Yourself,” a children’s book that follows the story of a beautiful, plus-sized Black girl who embarks on a magical journey of self-discovery, acceptance and self-love.
“The act of self-love is absolutely essential,” says the young author and activist, who recently relocated with her family from Las Vegas to Boca Raton. “We must love ourselves to have positive relationships and navigate the challenges that life will naturally present us with.”
Much of Arianna’s message is shaped by the digital world that today’s teens are immersed in. “Social media is constantly promoting unrealistic beauty standards, unattainable body types and unsustainable diets, so it is easy to question your worth.”
Instead of letting those standards define her, Arianna found strength in the words and wisdom of literary legends Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. Their celebration of Black womanhood and emphasis on self-worth deeply influenced her outlook — and her writing.
“For as long as I can remember, I would tell myself positive affirmations every day,” she says. “Each morning, I remind myself how fortunate I am to be here.” Her book reflects that mindset, filled with uplifting poetry, vivid imagery and heartfelt affirmations like “I am ready to confront the challenges ahead” and “I am growing and improving each day.’”
When it comes to advice for teens grappling with low self-esteem, bullying or weight stigma, Arianna speaks with both empathy and clarity: “Try to stay positive even when bombarded with negative content. If someone is bullying you online, block them immediately and tell your parent what is going on. I know you may feel emotional, but do not respond to what they said, instead keep a record of it and report it to the social media platform.”
Today, Arianna’s passion goes beyond the page. She’s eager to visit elementary schools and speak to young students about body positivity, mental health and the importance of believing in your “resounding beauty.”
As she prepares to begin her freshman year at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, she says one of the most rewarding parts of her journey has been connecting with other kids through her writing and advocacy — especially on topics like inequality, resilience and self-worth. She’s been featured on major television networks and her poetry — grounded in those same themes — have been exhibited at museums across the country.
In her free time, you might find her snorkeling at Red Reef Park, exploring coral reefs and sea cucumbers; participating in the lantern floating ceremony at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens; enjoying authentic Cuban food; or heading to Key West to swim with dolphins. One thing is certain: Arianna’s mission to spread love and self-acceptance is only just beginning.
For more information about “Love Yourself” by Arianna Shaprow, visit amazon.com.
