|
|
|
Written
and Illustrated by Mary Ann Fraser In class Mrs. Furber teaches the students all about eating right, drinking plenty of water, exercising, and getting enough rest. But I.Q. can't run as far as the other students, and he's worried that he won't win a ribbon. Will I.Q.'s hard work pay off as he goes for the gold? REVIEWS "I.Q., that lovable mouse, is back, this time helping children learn how to keep fit. At the kickoff assembly for Health Month, the speaker tells students that he will be awarding gold ribbons to everyone who passes the fitness test at the end of the month. I.Q. decides he will be one of them, but his preliminary results don’t exactly stack up to that of the kids. He works hard on his art project, though—a fitness poster—and adds to it each week as he learns more: “Eat a balanced diet,” “stay active,” “drink plenty of water” and “get lots of sleep.” Fraser’s droll illustrations steal the show as I.Q. uses everyday objects as fitness equipment and learns the hard way to follow the rules on his poster. He gets a stomachache after a brownie lunch, and after staying up too late reading, he falls asleep in math and skins his nose at recess. In the end, his results still don’t measure up, but his effort is rewarded with a ribbon for most improved. I.Q. is one determined mouse who will have youngsters cheering for him as they subtly absorb the lesson he’s teaching." Kirkus Reviews "I. Q. the mouse, featured in I .Q. It’s Time (2005), is not your everyday class pet. He attends an assembly promoting the Student Fitness Challenge, and determined to pass the fitness test, he begins an exercise program with the help of his classmates. His stats aren’t up to theirs (eight inches in the long jump, one measly pull-up), but through study and experience, I. Q. learns the value of eating a balanced diet, staying active, sleeping well, and drinking plenty of water. The message comes through in the clearly written text and the appealing colored-pencil, gouache, and ink illustrations. The food pyramid appears as a large classroom poster that I. Q. studies while recovering from a brownie-induced stomachache. The endpapers are witty, and the winning image on the jacket gives this picture book pick-me-up appeal." —Booklist "During Health Month, Mrs. Furber’s students prepare for a Student Fitness Challenge, including the class mouse, I.Q. He is determined to change his junk-food ways and follow a more active path to win a gold ribbon. He makes a chin-up bar from pencils and a jump rope from a shoelace. I.Q.’s determination and pride in achievement, despite temptations, are excellent models for children who may be resistant to improving their own fitness. Fraser has written an uncomplicated but endearing story that touches on all of the basics of a primary-grade health unit: rest and exercise; the new food pyramid and eating balanced meals; drinking lots of water. Using the pet mouse as the main character makes an often dry subject more fun and avoids pointing fingers at overweight and unfit children. Illustrations add necessary humorous details to keep readers interested. There is a dearth of picture books on this timely topic, and this book fills a need. A good choice for libraries and classrooms".–SLJ, July |
|
|
