Maggie Goes on a Diet...A Few More Thoughts

As someone who has been teaching children about bully prevention, I am concerned over the fact that the book, Maggie Goes on a Diet, sends the message to children that people who are skinny don't get bullied and that they make friends easier than their heavier counterparts. I think that it is important to let your children know that this is not true. Heavy or skinny, some children just make friends easily. It's part of their make-up and has nothing to do with their weight. All children fall victim to being bullied at some time in their life. It is important to teach your child some techniques to better deal with bullying behavior, and losing weight isn't one of them. Check out the series that I did on bully prevention to obtain some ideas on helping your child with this problem.

If this book does make it to the bookstores or e-reader list, I hope you will think twice about getting it for your child.

Maggie Goes on a Diet...Cute Picture Book or Does It Promote Eating Disorders

"Maggie Goes on a Diet" is a soon to be released picture book that is drawing lots of controversy. Is it sending the author's intended message of promoting healthy eating habits, exercise and positive self concept, or does it suggest the need for our young children to diet if they are over weight? The content of the book is innocent enough in some ways, but I have trouble getting past the title. Having had a child with an eating disorder and looking at the statistic that reports that eating disorders among children under twelve are up 119% in the last ten years, I am concerned that this author is sending a very different message then he intended.

As both a counselor and a mother who has had to face this issue, I am sending out a plea to this author and his publisher to pull this book from the shelves before it even gets there. Please at the very least rename this book to better reflect your intent.