DID you eat your greens when you were younger?
A new children’s book is hoping to encourage Jersey’s youngsters to eat healthily and understand the importance of good nutrition.
“Rainbow Flo” is the latest book by author Penny Byrne, which was illustrated by Erin Brown and designed by Liz Wackett.
It follows the story of Flo, who does not like to eat her dinner, and a copy will be given to every primary school across the Island, the Jersey Association of Home Educators and those in foster care who may not currently be in the school system, in an effort to spread the message about healthy eating habits.
Ms Byrne said: “What we eat is so fundamental to our overall wellbeing. I was really keen to create this book and I felt having a ‘fussy’ eater was something most people will be able to relate to.
“In the story, Flo’s big sister is inspired by the range of fruit and vegetables in our local market stalls and decides to cook in a way that will encourage Flo to try new things.
“But what happens when she eats a ‘rainbow’ of foods surprises her as much as it will our readers.”
Created with input from GP and lifestyle medicine expert Jo Darwood, the book has also been linked to the primary school curriculum to help children access the information they need to choose a balanced diet.
Jersey’s latest Child Measurement Report, which regularly analyses the body mass index of children in two different year groups, revealed that a quarter of children in their first year of school were overweight or obese – and this figure rose to include nearly a third of pupils in Year 6.
Dr Darwood said: “Getting our children to eat a healthy, brightly coloured and varied diet should be one of our ultimate aims as parents, and as a society.
“I was absolutely delighted to be asked to participate, in a small way, towards this lovely book. It will certainly be essential reading in our house!”
Sonia Tomas, a teacher at Trinity School, said the book would be “so useful in our schools as it covers many aspects of the curriculum”.
The book was printed with environmentally-friendly methods by local company Mailmate Print, without chemicals and using FSC-approved paper.
It is the twelfth book from Ms Byrne, who has also written “Seymour’s Seaside Picnic” which raised funds for local charities.
The book is available to buy on Ms Byrne’s website: pennybyrneauthor.com.
