The busy body book A kid's guide to fitness

Review by Booklist Review

PreS-Gr. 3. There aren't many books that make human physiology accessible to preschoolers. Rockwell's message is the joy of physical activity, but she also does a great job of connecting exercise with detailed information about the body and how it works. The design is clear and inviting: first are bright, colorful spreads of kids busy on scooters and rollerblades, running, stretching, catching and throwing in the park; then come full-page diagrams of skeletons, clearly labeled and packed with exciting scientific facts. One page shows kids using their muscles on a bar; opposite is a diagram of the body's muscles, from biceps and ligaments to the Achilles tendon. One page describes your incredible brain, which sends messages at lightning speed along wire-thin fibers called nerves; opposite is an anatomical diagram of the brain. The lungs, the heart and blood vessels, and the stomach and intestines get the same treatment. In an afterword to adults, Rockwell talks about the problem of overweight children and makes an enthusiastic pitch for healthy physical fun. Doing the activities on these pages is certainly a place to start. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2003 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 1-"Busy bodies bounce up/and down./They stretch from side to side and run all around./They catch and throw. They push and pull./They pedal, they paddle, they roller-skate, too./When you get busy, what do you do?" So begins this guide to physical activity. In her letter to parents and teachers, Rockwell discusses the rise in childhood obesity in the United States, and her hope that this book will serve as encouragement for youngsters to choose an active lifestyle. Children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds are represented in the artwork; they are shown doing yoga, dancing, playing team sports, Rollerblading, wheelchair racing, and even dog walking. Interspersed throughout are labeled diagrams that explain the workings of the body's skeleton, muscles, brain and nerves, lungs, heart and blood vessels, and stomach and intestines. The role that physical activity plays in keeping these parts healthy is also discussed. The text is purposely motivating, yet easy to understand and informative. The age-appropriate artwork is colorful and lively, and provides just the right amount of detail. This title fills a void about this topic for the age group, and parents and early childhood educators will appreciate its many uses.-Shauna Yusko, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Horn Book Review

This picture book begins as an upbeat paean to fitness but quickly launches into comprehensive explanations of the human body's structure (skeleton and muscles) and systems (nervous, respiratory, digestive), complete with detailed diagrams. The cheerful illustrations of active children are appealing, but the information may be over the heads of the intended audience. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

This well-meaning introduction to physical fitness and the workings of the human body bounces around thematically rather like the two children on pogo sticks shown on the cover, without addressing the crux of the matter: kids who don't exercise are likely to be overweight. Smiling children of different ethnic backgrounds are shown engaging in a variety of recreational activities and sports, interwoven with text that first cheerfully extols the value of exercise and then explains the major systems of the body. A full-page diagram illustrates each system (skeleton, muscles, lungs, etc.), including basic information and additional interesting facts. A concluding double spread shows a grid with children in 40 different activities that promote "busy bodies." The back matter includes two pages of exercise guidelines and an author's note to parents and teachers addressing the epidemic of childhood obesity. Although Rockwell avoids some touchy areas in the text, her introduction to this complex subject may be a useful springboard for discussion, especially in elementary classrooms. (Nonfiction. 5-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Dear Parents and Teachers, It's easy to see that children love to move. How many times have you had to ask a child to sit still--in the car, at school, or at the dining table? Being physically active makes kids feel good. They breathe deeply, filling their lungs with energizing oxygen. They use their muscles, releasing mood-improving endorphins. Regular physical activity helps children eat well, sleep well, perform well in school, resist illness, and grow strong, cheerful, and confident. The good news is that being physically active is natural for children. The bad news is that today many children are not active enough to stay healthy. The number of seriously overweight children in the United States has tripled in the past twenty years. Obesity is linked to other serious health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression. While diet plays a major role in our children's health, physical activity is an equally important factor. Surveys show that as many as half of our children do not get even a moderate (30 minutes a day, five days a week) amount of exercise. Yet they now spend an average of four hours a day in front of the TV or computer. Even children who do not gain weight easily are often not active enough to keep their heart, lungs, bones, and muscles in good condition. By giving our children education and positive guidance, we take the first steps in breaking this pattern. When children know about the remarkable potential of their bodies, they want to test it out. When they see others engaged in activities that look fun and stimulating, they want to join in. As parents and educators, we can set examples of healthy living by making changes in our own habits. Small lifestyle adjustments can communicate that fitness is a priority. We can walk to school or the store, set limits on sedentary activities, take the stairs instead of the elevator. In The Busy Body Book , I have chosen friendly, encouraging words and images that I hope will inspire children to make their own good choices. This book is for the competitive athlete as well as the contemplative artist. I hope that all children will find themselves in its pages, feel proud of their bodies, and be inspired to move. Physical activity is natural for all of us. So let's get busy and have some fun! With warm wishes, Lizzy Rockwell Excerpted from The Busy Body Book: A Kid's Guide to Fitness by Lizzy Rockwell All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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