One in five children suffer from poor nutrition!?

Sadly, it's true.

According to a new report by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 15.5 million children are living in poverty in the United States. That's one in five children according to the Census Bureau. Researchers looked at data surrounding four topics: health, food security, housing stability and maltreatment. They examined each in relation to past and present recessions. During childhood, the body is growing quickly and researchers say even a brief period of poor nutrition could lead to lifelong issues.

That's a startling report, and one all adults should be concerned about. Especially when we stop to think how little it costs today to keep a child healthy. And the small amount of time and effort it takes to help a child learn basic skills to keep themselves healthy. Maren Green's newest book You Are Healthy was published to specifically address this issue.

Experts have identified key behaviors important to children's health. These include active play, eating right, washing hands, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and spending time with loved ones. You Are Healthy introduces young children to things they can do to stay healthy and happy.

Written in simple words, vividly illustrated with realistic scenes that relate to children's everyday lives, You Are Healthy is an ideal introduction to a lifetime of good health. And one that every child deserves.

Order a copy today to help improve the health of a child you know. Or perhaps a child you don't know. Might we suggest donating a copy to your church, local library, school, or day care center? Your actions will directly contribute to a healthier future for children.

And together we'll remain hopeful for a day when a future report cites statistics of no children living in poverty in the United States...one day.

Summer activities, positive messages, and books!

Lazy days of summer are upon us...and our kids as well. If we can all just slow down enough to notice.

I'm always amazed how much faster summers go by as we get older. But I look back fondly at my summers as a kid with all that extra time on my hands. Extra time to actually DO things—whether outside or inside—with friends, or on my own. Time to pursue hobbies and read books that weren't assigned by a teacher. And time most definitely not spent sitting in front of a computer.

Today, things are vastly different for kids. With all the "screen time" (TV, video gaming, computer, i-pod, cell phone, etc.) that kids log on a daily basis and all the "virtual" relationships they have with friends via cyberspace (vs. real "face" time), we shouldn't be surprised when kids seem disengaged when we're around them and try to talk about anything.

But we can't let that sway us from enforcing down time for our kids so they can interact socially—in person (away from all the electronic gizmo's fighting for their attention)—and perform important tactile pursuits such as music, dance, sports, crafts, playing in the yard or at the park, and that ever-important mental exercise: reading.

Having books around for that down time can help ensure kids are absorbing all the information we know their young minds are SO capable of learning. And that we know is so important to their early childhood development.

Here at Maren Green, our books affirm important social, emotional, and life skills to give kids the positive self-talk they need to grow up healthy, happy, polite, and kind with positive self-esteem and healthy confidence. It's why they WORK for young children, why they've won awards, and why we think it's worth sharing.

We hope you think so too. Stop by for a visit and see for yourself.