Childhood Obesity Confronted at the Front Line With Launch of Fictional Children's Book Titled 'Making Healthy Choices - A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids'

SAN DIEGO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 2, 2007 -- Healthy Kids' Catalog (www.healthykidscatalog.com) -- a one-of-a-kind online catalog company exclusively offering "Solutions That Foster Healthy Children," today announced that the ground-breaking fictional children's book titled "Making Healthy Choices - A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids," authored by company founder and CEO Merilee Kern, is now available under new ISBNs: Boys' Edition: 978-1-58736-742-7; Girls' Edition: 978-1-58736-743-4 (Paperback, $11.95 U.S.). This new title marks the second edition re-release of the iParenting Media "Excellent Products of 2006" award-winning book, "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight."

This unique piece of fictional children's literature has been heralded by an array of health industry experts for its approach in helping overweight kids get on a healthy track, as well as motivating those within a healthy weight range to not only continue making wise lifestyle choices, but also better understand and empathize with peers currently struggling with a weight problem. TV and radio personality Sally Jessy Raphael recently noted, "This [book] is a very good idea... the best thing I think you can do for your kids."

"The new title better conveys this book is 'not' just for those struggling with a weight problem, but rather is intended to educate and empower children at large," said Kern. "The new title also clearly imparts the story's overriding message that healthy living is as simple as consistently making one positive, relatively easy choice after another."

Written for children ages 7 through 14, "Making Healthy Choices - A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids" comes in gender-specific, but otherwise identical, editions to ensure the story best resonates with the young reader. The book uniquely depicts an average overweight American child as (s)he encounters -- and ultimately overcomes -- the emotional and physical challenges associated with an adolescent overweight condition.

This first-of-its-kind children's story uses a non-combative, relatable style and tone to engage, entertain and appeal to a child's emotions without invoking feelings of defensiveness or other distress that kids often experience when discussing this sensitive topic. In the end, "Making Healthy Choices - A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids" is a tale of hope that spotlights a representative overweight American child who, by better recognizing the many outside pressures and influences encountered each day as well as the importance of good nutrition and physical activity, achieves the goal of living a healthier, happier life.

2006 was a benchmark year for the originally titled version of "Making Healthy Choices - A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids." In addition to West Virginia's Kanawha County Public Library formally integrating almost two-dozen units into its inventory, and with other public library systems following suit, the title also passed the California Department of Education's Legal and Social Compliance Review and, as such, is currently listed among the Department's online list of "Legal and Social Compliance Approved Out-of-Cycle Instructional Materials" -- items which may be purchased using either Proposition 20 Lottery or IMFRP funds. In addition, the book was formally adopted by both HealthTime, LLC for inclusion in its structured adolescent weight management program, and Revgear Sports who has bundled the title within its "Empowerment Package" -- a compilation of adolescent healthy living tools.

Kern continues, "This book offers a unique opportunity for frank dialogue between children and their caregivers -- parents, educators, pediatricians, dietitians, fitness trainers, and youth program leaders alike. Such discourse will better assure kids of all shapes and sizes understand the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, and learn practical strategies related thereto. Closing this communication gap is also apt to inspire children to take ownership of their own health condition and actually apply this key learning in their daily lives."

"Making Healthy Choices - A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids" can be purchased online at www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com and www.amazon.com. The Coloring and Activity E-Book adaptation for children ages 6 and under is also available for online purchase at both www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com and www.NotFault.com -- list price $3.95. More details about the book, itself, can be accessed at www.notfault.com.

About Healthy Kids' Catalog

Established in 2006 and with corporate headquarters in San Diego, California, first and one-of-a-kind Healthy Kids' Catalog (www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com) is dedicated to improving the state of kids' health by offering a comprehensive line of top-quality "Solutions That Foster Healthy Children" from one convenient online destination. With Healthy Kids' Catalog, parents, educators, physicians and other youth caregivers benefit from single-point access to a broad selection of kid-friendly healthy living resources, including toys, exercise equipment, sports gear, videos & DVDs, books, kitchen appliances and more. The company also publishes WEIGHT-WISE KIDS, a free monthly electronic newsletter that "serves up" youth-specific healthy living advice, information, news, and resources.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive a free reviewer's hard and/or electronic PDF-formatted copy of this title, please contact press@healthykidscatalog.com with your format preference (hard copy or electronic) and full shipping details, as applicable.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Merilee Kern 858-577-0206 Email Contact