They Call Me Fat Zoe: Helping Children and Families Overcome Obesity

Gr 1–2—When the vet declares Zoe overweight, readers soon find out that the problem extends beyond the puppy. Her owner, Katie, forgoes the recommended dog food in favor of sharing the ice cream and cookies she eats. It is clear that Katie also has issues with her weight, to the point that she gets teased at school. The wide-eyed characters in the bubbly, color cartoon illustrations function well enough to convey the story's straightforward lesson-that educators, parents, and kids all need to be proactive about eating the right foods and incorporating exercise into their lives. Additional tips on how to do so can be found in the back matter. Best suited as a recommendation from a doctor or health counselor, or as an additional buy for self-help sections.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library