Obesity-Related Fictional Children's Book Wins a 2006 'Excellent Products' iParenting Media Award

Book That Enlightens, Empowers and Motivates Children to Get, and Stay, Healthy Designated Among 'the Most Excellent Products in the Marketplace' by the iParenting Media Awards Reviewers

Healthy Kids' Catalog (www.healthykidscatalog.com) -- a one-of-a-kind online catalog company exclusively offering "Solutions That Foster Healthy Children(TM)," today announced that the healthy living-themed fictional children's book entitled "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids" (www.notfault.com), which was authored by the company's co-founder and CEO Merilee A. Kern, has won a coveted "Excellent Products of 2006" award by iParenting Media -- operator of one of the Internet's most popular communities for parents and parents-to-be at www.iParenting.com.

"The iParenting Media Awards program carefully reviews and then recognizes the best products in the marketplace and shares them with parents," says Alvin All, Chief Executive Officer of iParenting Media. "Our Excellent Products Call for Entry was filled with innovative products, but only the ones that exceeded the high evaluation standards we set earned the iParenting Media Award."

In addition to being evaluated by the iParenting Media Awards Executive Committee using its proprietary process incorporating objective standards of measurement, three outside reviews were performed on the book: a licensed childcare facility/school, an expert and a parent. The entire evaluation process created by the iParenting Media Awards program is so thorough it has attained ISO 9001:2000 Certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) -- an achievement realized by only a fraction of the companies that attempt this level of certification. The end result of this comprehensive process is a list of award-winning products that, according to iParenting Media, "families can feel confident in purchasing for their loved ones." Based on cumulative reviews, the committee has honored "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids" with the distinction of an iParenting Media Awards winner.

Kern notes, "I'm deeply grateful that my book has been named among iParenting Media's 'Excellent Products of 2006' -- the most prestigious consumer award within the children's, juvenile and parenting marketplace. While the book has been heralded within the health community, this much more comprehensive and objective review of the title further validates both the approach taken and need for a work of children's literature of this kind."

"It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids" is a first-of-its-kind fictional children's story intended to help overweight kids get on a healthy track for the long term. It also aims to motivate 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. The book, which is available in both a boys' and girls' edition, 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.

Through both easy-to-read text and endearing illustrations by esteemed artist Jerry DeCrotie, "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids" helps young readers better recognize and, in turn, circumvent the constant stream of negative cultural influences encountered each day. It also encourages kids to take control of their own health situation, educates them on how to make wise dietary and fitness choices, and motivates them by depicting many specific benefits of getting an overweight condition under control.

Earlier this year, "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids" 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" http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/lc.asp, materials from which may be purchased using either Proposition 20 Lottery Funds or any Instructional Materials Funding Realignment Program (IMFRP) funds remaining after districts have purchased their required standards instructional materials.

The gender-specific paperback versions of "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids" can be purchased online at www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com, www.NotFault.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, and www.Amazon.com -- suggested list price is $11.95. The Coloring and Activity E-Book adaptation for children ages 7 and under is also available for online purchase at both www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com and www.NotFault.com -- list price $4.95.

About Healthy Kids' Catalog

Established in 2006 and with corporate headquarters in San Diego, California, first-of-its-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(TM)" from one convenient online destination. Through Healthy Kids' Catalog, parents, teachers, physicians and other youth caregivers benefit from single-point access to a broad selection of kid-friendly healthy living resources. The company was co-founded by child health advocate Merilee A. Kern, CEO who is also author of the fictional children's book entitled "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids," which was named among iParenting Media's "Excellent Products of 2006."

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive a free reviewer's hard or electronic PDF-formatted copy of "It's Not Your Fault That You're Overweight - A Story of Enlightenment, Empowerment and Accomplishment for Overweight and Obese Kids," please contact Anne Goldberg at 858-577-0206 or anne@kerncommunications.com with your format (hard copy or electronic) and edition (boy or girl) preference as well as your shipping information, if required. To access an online zip file containing the front and back cover jacket design, including health expert endorsements, for both editions along with story and illustration excerpts, go to www.notfault.com/NotFaultArt.zip. Additional information, including childhood obesity statistics, can be found online at www.notfault.com.

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