I.Q. Gets Fit [Hardcover]

Mary Ann Fraser (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

It's going to be an active month in I.Q.'s classroom--it's Health Month! And when the school announces that those who pass the fitness test will get a gold ribbon, I.Q. knows right away that he wants to win one.
 
In class, Mrs. Furber teaches the students all about a balanced diet and the food pyramid, drinking the right amount of water, exercising for fitness, and balancing that activity with good rest. But I.Q. can't run as long or jump as far as the other students, and he's worried that he won't win a ribbon. Will I.Q.'s hard work pay off as he goes for the gold?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—During Health Month, Mrs. Furber's students prepare for a Student Fitness Challenge, including the class mouse, I.Q. He is determined to change his junk-food ways and follow a more active path to win a gold ribbon. He makes a chin-up bar from pencils and a jump rope from a shoelace. I.Q.'s determination and pride in achievement, despite temptations, are excellent models for children who may be resistant to improving their own fitness. Fraser has written an uncomplicated but endearing story that touches on all of the basics of a primary-grade health unit: rest and exercise; the new food pyramid and eating balanced meals; drinking lots of water. Using the pet mouse as the main character makes an often dry subject more fun and avoids pointing fingers at overweight and unfit children. Illustrations add necessary humorous details to keep readers interested. There is a dearth of picture books on this timely topic, and this book fills a need. A good choice for libraries and classrooms.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

I. Q. the mouse, featured in I .Q., It's Time(2005), is not your everyday class pet. He attends an assembly promoting the Student Fitness Challenge, and determined to pass the fitness test, he begins an exercise program with the help of his classmates. His stats aren't up to theirs (eight inches in the long jump, one measly pull-up), but through study and experience, I. Q. learns the value of eating a balanced diet, staying active, sleeping well, and drinking plenty of water. The message comes through in the clearly written text and the appealing colored-pencil, gouache, and ink illustrations. The new food pyramid appears as a large classroom poster that I. Q. studies while recovering from a brownie-induced stomachache. The endpapers are witty, and the winning image on the jacket gives this picture book immediate pick-me-up appeal. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens; 1st edition (April 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802795587
• ISBN-13: 978-0802795588
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > For Children

More About the Author

Mary Ann Fraser is the author and/or illustrator of over sixty books for children in fiction and non-fiction, from preschool to middle grade. Most recently she wrote and illustrated PETSHOP LULLABY, MERMAID SISTER and I.Q. GETS FIT. Her awards include a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Book Links Book of the Year, IRA Young Readers Choice Award, and American Booksellers "Pick of the List." She writes and draws pictures in Southern California where she can garden, hike, and visit the beach twelve months of the year. You can learn more about her at www.maryannfraser.com or visit her blog at http://maryannfraser.wordpress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for PE, September 9, 2011

By 

ERL (Boston) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I.Q. Gets Fit (Hardcover)

I teach elementary Physical Education. This is a perfect book for my younger kids who are just starting fitness testing. It is a great way to introduce the concepts of health and fitness. I love this book and so do my students.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book to get children subtly interested in physical fitness!, June 8, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I.Q. Gets Fit (Hardcover)

I.Q. was the class pet. Not the teacher's favorite mind you, but the real class pet. He was a rat, but would have much rather have been a student in Mrs. Furber's class. It was "Health Month" and they were all going to an assembly to "learn how to get fit." At the assembly his tummy started to rumble and he was embarrassed because the children laughed at him. He didn't eat his breakfast and it was rumble time. The speaker told all the children that if they passed the fitness test they would "receive a gold ribbon." Everyone was excited, especially I.Q., because he wanted one too!

Mrs. Jugar was the physical education teacher and she would be recording their results. Brett, Kim, Tim, Holly . . . and there was I.Q. on the list! They were recording things like how many sit ups, long jumps and pull ups everyone could do. They were supposed to eat "different kinds of foods," but when Mrs. Furber talked about the Food Pyramid there weren't brownies on it. I.Q. would have a lot of work to do in order to win a ribbon. Proper exercise, getting enough sleep and a balanced diet were just a few things he'd have to work on. I.Q. really wanted that ribbon. If he really worked at it, could he cut the mustard? Maybe he'd just have to cut out those brownies!

This is an excellent book to get children subtly interested in physical fitness. The whimsical artwork is adorable and the "before" and "after" shots of I.Q. are very amusing. This would be the perfect choice for a read aloud and discuss book in a classroom setting if you are planning sessions on encouraging health and physical fitness. Your classroom can also work on the President's Challenge and win a real award!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, May 24, 2009

By 

areldthomp "areldthomp" (Fayetteville, Nc United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I.Q. Gets Fit (Hardcover)

This is absolutly the best book. We used it for Fitness Month Storytime at our Library. It teaches the principles of healthy lifestyle at a level toddlers and older can grasp. It discusses exercise, diet, sleep, and drinking water. You can also stop and have them do the exercises with IQ. It also throws in some suspense...you don't really know for sure if he will win the gold ribbon. I copied the last page of the book for the kids to color,take home to put on the fridge, and reinforce what they learned. It turned out fantastic. Great, great book! You can't go wrong with this one.