Review by Booklist Review
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 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The large square hardcover The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! by Edward Miller introduces readers to the basic rules for healthy eating and living-with a heavy dose of humor and alliterative tips (e.g., "Vary your veggies!"; "Focus on fruits!") Sidebars, highlighted advice and even jokes liven up the pages. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 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 (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.
Review by Horn Book Review
Using clear language, straightforward organization, and an eye-friendly design (including text bubbles and flatly colored illustrations), this companionable text covers the food groups, healthy eating choices, sleep, exercise, hydration, and other topics pertaining to good health. The ""monster"" aspect is underused and appears to be a gimmick, but the comprehensive health information is right on. (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.
