New Children's Book Review: The Secret Life of Mitch Spinach Children's Books Gets Kids To Eat More Fruits And Veggies
Online, September 26, 2010 (Newswire.com) - While many books focus on a child's dislike of a certain food (usually a vegetable), this book series is devoid of that type of negativity and instead transforms healthy eating into a behavior to be copied in order to gain "super" powers like those of Mitch Spinach. Written in collaboration with renowned family physician and best selling author Joel Fuhrman, M.D,The Secret Life of Mitch Spinach book series has the power to significantly change the way that children eat because it actually prompts children to ask for healthy food without preaching to them about the benefits of a healthy diet.
As adults and educators, we know that good nutrition fosters academic and athletic performance, but we have been unsuccessful in getting American children to understand the importance of a healthy diet. The CDC's prediction that this generation may not outlive their parents due to the rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other nutrition-related diseases in childhood has provided an optimal climate for Mitch Spinach to enter the scene. National campaigns focused on childhood nutrition-related health problems and on unhealthy school lunches have brought the gravity of the health crisis involving American children to the forefront. Because every family shares the burden of trying to raise healthy children in a fast-food/junk food filled world, parents are desperate for a hero who not only espouses a healthy lifestyle but also remains cool enough for their children to emulate. No book on the market today reaches this goal in an entertaining, motivating, and non-dogmatic way. Plus, all children like stories about "super" kids.
While textbooks and food pyramids are one form of promoting the message, they are not the most stimulating or successful pedagogical models for the elementary school student. As with any subject, children need fun and entertaining ways to learn material. What is one of the most effective ways to teach an elementary school child a concept? Through a story, of course. The subtlety of fiction enables children to learn without even realizing that they are learning.
Mitch Spinach seems to be an ordinary kid, but his classmates have begun to suspect something. The notes in his custom-made, temperature-controlled Nutripak lunchbox appear to have been written in code. While other kids eat their usual chicken fingers and pepperoni pizza, Mitch Spinach mixes up his meal in a battery-powered blender before their curious and envious eyes. Although he is the smartest, nicest, strongest kid in Ms. Radicchio's class, he often misses recess when he is called to Principal Lycopene's office. The truth is that his high- powered fruit and vegetable smoothies give him special powers, such as super-sonic hearing and amazing night vision, which help him tackle problems and solve mysteries at Sunchoke Elementary.
Each book in the series contains a healthy recipe and a "Secrets for Parents and Teachers" section that explains many of the nutritional concepts alluded to in the book. The Mitch Spinach website http://www.MitchSpinach.com features creative, multidisciplinary lesson plans and outlines the importance of sound nutrition. Kids can print educational games, such as crossword puzzles, and word searches that pertain to the healthy foods used in the books to reinforce what they have learned.
Compelled to shared the message with as many families and schools as possible, the authors have launched the Mitch Spinach Fundraising Program to generate healthy revenue for schools and non-profits. So instead of selling candy bars at your next school fundraiser, visit http://www.MitchSpinach.com. Mitch Spinach Productions, Inc. will donate up to $6 per book ordered during the fundraiser back to the school or non-profit. This is a win-win event for schools and for parents interested in getting their kids to eat more fruits and veggies. And what parent doesn't want that?