Would U read your young children a book about dieting before bed? That’s the debate that controversial children’s book Maggie Goes On A Diet has sparked!
On one hand, children shouldn’t have to worry about dieting and should simply be enjoying their youth. On the other, childhood obesity is on the rise and America is joining together in a movement to stop it.
Paul Kramer, the man behind the book that hasn’t even been released yet, defended his book that aims to teach kids a lesson about living a healthy lifestyle, saying:
“My intentions were just to write a story to entice and to have children feel better about themselves, discover a new way of eating, learn to do exercise, try to emulate Maggie and learn from Maggie’s experience. Children are pretty smart … and they will make a good choice if you give them that opportunity.”
He acknowledges that using the word “diet” in a children’s book title was risky, but believes it will help readers identify with Maggie, more so than they would if it was titled “Maggie Eats Healthy”.
Others aren’t so sure that 6 to 12-year-old kids should be taught to diet at all. Many parents are outraged that this book could encourage young children to look in the mirror instead of inside themselves to be happy.
Experts are weighing in and agreeing the book sends a dangerous message to kids. One contended that it perpetuates the shallow belief that “if you don’t look like Cinderella, you’re a failure.”
We’re all about encouraging kids to eat healthy and exercise, but agree that perhaps Mr. Kramer took the wrong angle by suggesting kids diet.
We haven’t read the book yet and don’t want to judge it by its cover, but it appears to be focusing on the social benefits of a healthy lifestyle instead of the HEALTH benefits with lines like:
“Maggie looked forward to her Saturday morning game. More and more people were beginning to know Maggie by name. Playing soccer gave Maggie popularity and fame.”
Check out the video above for details on the debate and decide for yourself!
