The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! [Paperback]

Edward Miller (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Beginning with concise discussions of each of the food groups, along with the newly redesigned food pyramid, Ed Miller looks at all aspects of health and nutrition in this accessible and informative book. Fun facts about different foods are included throughout to keep the reading upbeat and clear distinctions are made between healthy and not-so-healthy meal choices. Readers will learn about nutrients, how to read foods labels and what it means to count calories. Readers will also learn how to develop healthy habits, such as making time for breakfast, tips for packing the best lunch, and the benefits of having a sit down (versus fast food) dinner. Overviews on food illnesses and disorders are included as are the importance of sleep and exercise. With Edward Miller's comprehensive writing and clear format, making healthy choices truly becomes easier.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5–Featuring a friendly, rotund, green monster determined to make healthy choices, this book presents basic information about food, exercise, and health. Each topic is introduced in one or two paragraphs; additional facts appear in boxes, sidebars, lists, and diagrams. For example, the section on The 5 Food Groups contains interesting tidbits such as During the Middle Ages, onions were so valuable that people paid their rent with them and It takes around 550 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter. Other subjects include food nutrients, counting calories and understanding food labels, tips for making healthy lunches and snacks, the benefits of getting enough sleep and exercise, and ways to improve self-esteem. Miller's retro-style illustrations fill the pages with color, shapes, and humorous details, and silly jokes are tucked everywhere. An impressive list of Web sites provides additional resources. This lively, visually appealing book about a critical but potentially dry subject belongs in children's hands.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Miller, who illustrated Barbara Seuling's From Head to Toe (2002), contributes both words and pictures in another book about kids and their bodies, which focuses on healthy lifestyle choices. Opening spreads introduce the basic food groups, followed by pages about the day's early meals (breakfast, lunch, and snack), with menu suggestions for each. Later sections touch on physical and mental health: exercise, sleep, moods, and things to avoid (drugs and alcohol). The text is sometimes confusingly brief, and children will need adults to expand on such subjects as eating disorders and steroids, as well as on some sophisticated vocabulary (for example, "monounsaturated fat," which isn't defined). The jumbled format, with brief text boxes and bright pictures created from simple shapes, is cheerful, but it makes for a sometimes confusing, disjointed presentation. Even so, the goofy, lime green monster, shown learning alongside his young human friends, will draw some interest, and in an age of childhood obesity, this overview offers teachers and parents useful passages to start discussions about healthy habits. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (January 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823421392
• ISBN-13: 978-0823421398
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Fitness
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diet & Nutrition
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diet & Nutrition

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I've been looking for, March 13, 2007

By 

J. White - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! (Hardcover)

For months I'd been trying to educate my 8-year old daughter about the foods she eats and to explain why some foods are healthier than others. She was more annoyed by my restrictions than interested in my rationale. I decided to go online to search for a book that might make the subject more fun and relevent. After an exhaustive search for something age-appropriate, I came upon this book and bought it.

Well, she absolutely loves it. The layout and progression of the content is perfect for her age group and the colors and graphics hold her interest. She told me she "loves" the book and is eager to read more of it each night. And she's retaining the information. I found her reading the nutrition label of a cereal box this morning and tonight, without a word from me, she decided to have only one cookie instead of two.

I recommend this book for all parents who are hoping to communicate the value of good eating to their children. Although the reading level is listed as age 4-8, I think this book is most appropriate for 2nd through 5th graders.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book about eating right and being healthy., March 23, 2008

By 

Daniel Burke "The Figure Coach" (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! (Paperback)

I liked this book. Simple to understand and yet it taught a lot of things about eating right and being healthy. Worth owning!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for a wide age range!, August 15, 2010

By 

Sapere Aude (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! (Paperback)

We have been talking a lot lately with my 7 year old daughter about eating healthy. She is a book worm and loves to read, so I wanted a book on this topic for her. I found this one and based on the 2 other reviews figured I'd give it a try.

The book is large (maybe 8-9" square) paperback picture book style with lots of color and illustrations. It packs a lot of information in on a wide variety of topics, from the food groups, to exercise, nutritional labels, even drugs and smoking. It contains a lot of fun facts my daughter has really enjoyed 'Mom, is a watermelon REALLY a berry!?'. This book would be suitable for reading to a Kindergartener, as well as older kids up to age 8 or 9, who can read it on their own.

My daughter has just devoured this book - I've found her reading it for hours over the past few days since we received it. A big hit, I'm so glad I got it! Now instead of my feeling like I'm lecturing them on health, she loves to tell us things!

Highly Recommended!