ABC's of Fitness
by Anthony Baker
Archway Publishing


"D is for dumbbells. Great for workouts and a doorstop."

With twenty-six colorful pages, featuring each letter of the alphabet and a word beginning with that letter, Baker's picture book introduces the youngest of the young to an assortment of basic fitness, health, nutrition, and exercise concepts. This is seen from the very first page: "A is for Appetite (Who else is hungry?!)," to "B is for Barbells" (where readers learn the classic barbell weighs forty-five pounds), to "C" and "Carbohydrates" (fruits, veggies, and grains are all carbs). Other exciting entries include "Energy," "Jump," "Muscles," "Nutrients," "Training," "Yoga," and so forth. Of special note is "Q, for Quality," where Baker writes, "Choose this over quantity," and "V, for Visualize," featuring an image of two children sitting in meditation, envisioning themselves fit and strong through classic bubble-cartoon thought-images above their heads. "See it," writes the author, "so you can believe it."

Baker's book is a simple—yet effective and engaging—way for parents (and other caregivers) to instill in children from a young age the importance of fitness, taking care of one's body and mind, staying active, and, importantly, that doing so is actually tons of fun. By selecting a related single-word concept for each letter of the alphabet, allowing ample space on each page to focus on the twenty-six chosen words, and adding eye-catching, attractive illustrations, the message is further driven home. The additional bits of concise, helpful information ("Training is not just working out," for example, on the "T is for Training" page, or "Keep your posture on the way down," as the "S is for Squat" page notes) nicely round out this primer on health, exercise, and fitness. When reading that "F is for Fun," Baker reminds his audience to "Have fun when you work out." Indeed, reading this tome with young children is likely to be fun in itself.

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