I Get So Hungry
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by Bebe Moore Campbell
Illustrated by Amy Bates
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"With a contemporary story and warm, watercolor artwork, this picture book about childhood obesity, as seen through the eyes of an African American child, confronts the problem with realism and sympathy. Nikki's friends cannot protect her from the teasing at school, and when emotions get the better of her, she sneaks food from her backpack. Her teacher, Mrs. Patterson, who is also overweight, does too. One day the children find a substitute at their's teacher's desk; when Mrs. Patterson returns to school, she has lost some weight. With her teacher's help, Nikki manages to do the same, eventually convincing her overweight mother the importance of healthy eating and exercise. The message here is the story ("Only eat when you're hungry, not when you're sad or angry or bored"), but the book works because the words and pictures never deny how hard it is to change. The overweight characters don't become slim, the temptation for comfort food doesn't go away ("Potato chips always make me feel better when I'm sad") and neither do the rage and humiliation."
-----Hazel Rochman
