Maggie Goes on a Diet - the Author's Response

Paul Kramer has kindly responded to my email and I include his response, in its entirety, below:

Hi Lauren,
I am not a physician nor do I claim to be a dietary expert. I am the author of, “Maggie Goes On A Diet.” This book was NOT written to be a diet book. It is a children’s book written in rhyme intended to entertain. One of my major goals was and is to inspire children of all ages to exercise and eat healthy nutritious foods.
By knowing that if they begin an exercise program and modify their eating habits by eating as much healthy and nutritious food as they want, they can build a future foundation for positive eating habits and an improved self image.

I DO NOT maintain that the message in this book is a quick fix or that anyone who goes on a diet will be happier, or will be more popular or become a soccer star.

In this book, 14 year old Maggie decides to take control over her life without being pushed to do so. Her intent was to become more physically fit, which would enable her to run faster, bend more easily, and improve her skills in playing sports. She was also tired of being teased which was unpleasant at best.

You say that you are not against communicating the healthy eating message to children at a young age.
I say that I am in favor of communicating the eating healthy message to children and adults of all ages.
You say that what sits most uncomfortably with you is the cover, you continue on to say the author’s message seems to be, “Judge a book buy its cover”
My response to that is I have been taught that one should NOT judge a book by its cover.

I have struggled with obesity for a good deal of my life and I have also recently begun an exercise program and I am eating healthier more nutritious foods.
It is also my opinion that “DIET” is not a dirty word.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your blog. I hope you put in my entire response.

Thank You,
Respectfully,
Paul M. Kramer