Too Much by Linda Taylor West
Contributed by Teresa Ascone
July 20, 2009
Too Much, written by Linda Taylor West, illustrated by www.shangrila-studio.com, and published by Little Britches Children’s Books in Willow, is a delightful book that sends a gentle message about good nutrition and healthy exercise, composed cleverly in rhyme. Parents looking for a way to guide their children to sensible eating habits will love it because of the colorful, graphic illustrations and the easy-to-read large text, delivering good advice about the perils of consuming too much food.
We meet baby Luke, and see him at each stage of growth, following his relationship with food as he discovers sweets and fats. Luke grows chubby; his mother counsels him, and he learns about fruits and vegetables. West, a parent herself, wisely communicates at a young child’s level of understanding the consequences of eating too much and eating the wrong foods. She also touches on the perils of being a couch potato: “He liked to eat both night and day, but soon forgot to run and play.”
The verses are accompanied by simple, expressive line drawings enhanced with bright hues of the entire color wheel. One can imagine a child being fascinated by each page as it clearly communicates advice about food and exercise, delivered with a double-whammy of easy words and pictures.
On last page, the author provides a helpful list of health tips, detailing the steps to eating right and exercising every day.
Linda Taylor West’s Too Much would be a welcome addition to any young child’s library; it’s an attractive and useful tool for parents wanting to begin educating their youngsters early about healthy eating and exercise.