I Am Strong To The Finish Because I Eat My Spinach!
Some points:
1.) After doing a little research, I found the goal of this book is intended to be motivational. Why do kids love McDonalds? It's presented as fun and exciting. Kids don't want to eat at McDonalds because of the fact that sugars and fat are pleasing to the taste buds...
2.) My kids enjoyed "The Race Against Junk Food" very much. After reading this book to them (I have a girl and boy aged 5 and 8, respectively) they chanted, "Give me a carrot." Goal accomplished!
3.) I discovered that, as ridiculously simple and circuitous as it sounds, research has proven that one gets children to learn to eat healthy by having them eat healthy (lots of fruits and vegetables) at the earliest possible age.
4.) Reasoning: In order to survive over tens of thousands of years the foods of infants and toddlers were screened by Mother to prevent poisoning. Young children had to remember (instinctively) what those foods were in order to survive their earliest stages of independence when Mother was no longer around. These habits that are built into humans over tens of thousands of years are known as instincts. They never leave modern man.
5.) I think of this book as one of the tools I use to educate my kids about healthy eating. One doesn't take a screw driver out of a tool box and throw it away because it doesn't drive nails, does one? I have several other books I use to teach my children the facts about healthy eating.
6.) On an editorial level, I've got to agree with a reviewer that the story line and writing maybe get a C for the adult reader. On the other hand, what kind of Mother would return a $10 book, getting back maybe $3.33 after shipping and handling when there's any chance that the book would help her child to lead a more healthy life?
7.) Several years back, "Transformers" had the most ridiculous story line, but kids watched it in droves...
8.) I know I tried spinach (as did millions of others) after Popeye ate his!
Review #2
fun but not a lot of teaching substance
My kids liked the story but there was only one page that really focused on teaching good nutrition. Smoking cigaretes is introduced in the book also. I think that should be addressed under the drugs topic, not nutrition. I'm sure there are better resources for teaching kids about nutrition.
Review #3
fun and gives the big picture
This book has fun illustrations and an engaging story. It helps kids get the big picture about the effects of healthy eating (or lack of!) which I think is just as important as more specific nutrition information, especially in these grade school years. It's funny, I liked it, my kids were immediately interested in it, and I would buy this book again for a gift.
The Race Against Junk Food (Adventures in Good Nutrition)
by Anthony Buono
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: 1997-09-24
Publisher: HCOM Inc.
ISBN: 0965810801
List Price: $9.95
Price: $9.95
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.
