FICTION

Eddie Shapes Up

by Pat Koch Thaler
KOCH, Ed & Pat Koch Thaler. illus. by Jonathan Hoefer. 48p. Zagat. 2011. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-160478378-0. LC number unavailable.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–4—A former mayor of New York City infuses some autobiographical inspiration into this story of young Eddie, who, after being taunted about his weight one too many times, decides to eat healthier and exercise more. There are good intentions here, but the stilted dialogue ("Look Eddie. You're our good friend. We like you and we don't want to say anything that will be hurtful. But you are a little heavy and out of shape. Maybe it's because of the way you eat") and flat illustrations are slightly behind the times of a contemporary kid's experience. Even the climax, when Eddie gets a boost of self-esteem after saving a baby carriage from rolling down a hill, seems quaint. More instructional than uplifting, the book would be a serviceable addition during a nutrition lesson.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library
Eddie, tired of being overweight, starts a diet and exercise regimen. The characters, who resemble cartoons in appearance and behavior, talk as if they're reading a script ("Cookies can be a sometimes food"), and it's laughable when getting-in-shape Eddie stops a runaway baby carriage. Still, the book could be helpful to some readers.
Reviewed by Joanna K. Fabicon , Feb 01, 2012

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