PENGUIN The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food

I bought this to read to my 2 1/2 year-old, because I was looking for a calm way to discuss with her why she can't have chocolate for dinner (and oh, how I wish we could, child!). There are so many ways that discussions about healthy eating can go wrong, and lead to unnecessary anxiety and body image troubles, but I think this book took a really balanced approach to the topic and got it mostly right.Mama Bear notices that her cubs are constantly snacking on junk foods - crisps, buttered popcorn, candy. At first, she lets her observations slide, but one day, she notices the cubs are starting to become overweight. Papa Bear, it turns out, has been gaining weight as well. That sends her into action; she gathers up all the treats and goodies in the house, hides them away, and vows that the family will start over, and eat healthy, nourishing food.The book discusses what types of foods are healthy and nourishing: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, milk and cheese, and fresh meats. It encourages drinking water rather than soda. Dr Grizzly chats to the cubs about how each food group benefits the body. The Bears all focus on eating healthier meals, they all take up jogging to get fit, and Mama makes an effort to prepare healthier snacks for the cubs (fresh fruit, nuts, raisins, carrot sticks), rather than relying as much on food from packets.I have very few reservations about reading this book to my daughter. The cubs are described as "getting chubbier", which is presented as a bad thing in the book, and the Bears' weight gain is clearly tied to less than ideal food choices (which are described as "bad habits"). So, there may be a risk of projecting poor body image and anxiety about food. That said, I think the risk is very small, and nobody's food choices are presented as a failure of character, or irreversible. The book acknowledges that we eat junk food in the first place because it's tasty. The conversations that take place in the book, about healthy eating and getting active, are similar to real-life conversations my husband and I have: ones that usually come about shortly after Christmas or a vacation, when we step on a scale for the first time in months, and realize we've overindulged.My daughter seems to appreciate this story; she asks for it a lot. I think it's deepened her understanding as to why I've been telling her "no chocolate for dinner". She's a little more willing to ask for a piece of fruit these days, if I tell her she can't snack on junk. And I guess reading the book to her has reminded me of my own role to play, in making sure she eats right.

Love these books from my childhood so I'm delighted to read them to my kids. Lovely and wholesome

Prompt delivery good little book

This book becomes more and more relevant as North America becomes more and more obese. Between regular reading of this book at bedtime and learning how to read nutrition labels together, my kids and I are able to make healthier choices for both meals and snacks. Sure, we still eat junk food together, but we're aware of how much extra physical activity we need to work off those extra calories.

Really good book. The kids like the series and I grew up on them as well. It's simple, but they always have a great message and well thought out problem solving.