Oscar & Otis: Fat Fighters (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: big gut, King Phineus

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Oscar and Otis - Fat Fighters is the story of 2 friends learning about health & fitness to help one of their fathers fight the fat! The story is both laughable and learnable. Children can identify with the characters and enjoy the lesson of making better choices everyday to help out ones we love and ourselves.

About the Author

Alicia Kirschenheiter is an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer & Weight & Lifestyle Management consultant. She is also the owner of Evolution Personal Training Inc. located in New York. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children and adolescents. It has more than tripled for children aged 6-11. The hope in writing this book, is to engage children in fitness and to encourage and foster a healthy lifestyle at an early age.

Product Details

• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing; 1st edition (February 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419685945
• ISBN-13: 978-1419685941
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,851,275 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Moving!, March 2, 2009

By	Jill Vanderwood "throughtherug.com" (Utah) - See all my reviews

Oscar discovers that his overweight father is headed for health problems, if he doesn't change his lifestyle. Oscar and his friend Otis try to get help for his father. In the process, they find out important ways to make their own bodies healthy.

I read Oscar and Otis with my nine-year-old granddaughter. Autumn is an active child who attends a twice weekly Karate class. After class, she enjoys running around the track and having me time her. On the way to the car, she does several cart wheels across the parking lot before hopping into the car.

After taking turns reading Oscar and Otis, Fat Fighters--Autumn wrote down the following comments: "I think this book is too cool, because I think a lot of kids are overweight. It is so cool that you made a book about it, to help people.

"I think the pictures are awesome! I really like the picture where the dad is so fat, then where the dad gets healthy."

Grandma's Comments: I enjoyed the story and the artwork. In the story, the author tells the difference between healthy and unhealthy snacks. I also think it's important to know that people don't have to go to the gym to get fit. All they need to do is get up and get moving.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood, author
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book looks at physical fitness/weight for kids!, August 12, 2008

By	Glenda A Bixler "Glenda" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Oscar & Otis is a new fun book by Alicia Kirschenheiter. Maciej Zajac beautifully illustrates it in a way that adds emphasis to the storyline! The children's book is written to encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle; however, individuals of all ages may find it a challenging reminder!

Oscar and Otis are best friends who have a story to tell. By the way, Oscar and Otis are cats! How cool is that!

Oscar overheard his mom talking to their doctor about her husband being overweight. He had called to discuss how his weight puts him at a higher risk for many health problems. Oscar immediately became concerned since he doesn't want his dad to be sick!

Though Oscar talked to his mom and she told him not to worry, Oscar does--enough to call his best friend, Otis. After thinking about his dad, he realized that he also could become sick. When Otis answered, Oscar asked what he knew about being fat. Otis mumbled a reply because he just happened to be having a snack! Oscar invited himself over to Otis's house to talk about it more. He realized that his dad had a big belly and that it could lead to a sick heart.

In fact, if he kept eating like he did, he could get a belly just like his Dad!

Oscar and Otis talked about what they could do. Otis mentioned that he'd seen television commercials for a gym--and a guy called King Phineus! They got on the computer and learned more about the Fitness Center and decided to go see him--right after Otis' mom made them a snack: chocolate sundaes with whipped cream!

(You get the feeling that Oscar and Otis might need to change their eating habits too?)

When they got to the gym, they saw people with big bellies, some small, old people and even girls! This doesn't seem right, they thought. They met Phineus then and explained their concern about Oscar's dad and that they wanted to get something to help him get skinny. So Phineus showed them around and even let them try some of the equipment.

Finally Oscar knew what to do, he would send his dad there one day to play on the machines and get healthy. But King Phineus told them that it would take longer than one day, but with the right program, diet and determination, anyone could lose weight!

When Oscar got home, he found his dad in the kitchen having a snack. He decided right then was the time to talk to him--and so he did! And his dad listened and, encouraged, decided to not only help himself, but also his son.

And soon both families began different types of exercises and diet programs. Oscar and Otis found that they had more energy and became involved with playing sports and activities with other kids.

The author is an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer and Weight and Lifestyle Management consultant. She notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pointed out that over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children and adolescents. It has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 (back cover).

Parents, grandparents, concerned adults--if you know of a child, or children, who is already beginning, or has a weight problem, please consider this book a must-read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oscar & Otis - Fat Fighters, June 25, 2008

By	Wendy C. Laudi (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent book, written and illustrated in a way that engages children. The illustrations are colorful and fun. The text is geared toward children with a humorous focus on educating them on the benefits of exercising and healthy eating habits. And as a bonus, while you are sharing this book with your children, you will be reminded of the benefits of taking care of yourself!