ImageRhonda and Ida are an inspiration. After retiring as educators to Florida, they became passionate about doing something about the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States. With no experience writing a book, they sat down to create a work to inform young minds and inspire kids to eat better and exercise more.

The result is Carrots for Charlie, a lively children's book about an adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who is adopted from the shelter by a man named Max. Max begins by walking Charlie often, and both are trim. As Max gets busy in life, however, Charlie is left at home alone too often with too many treats and, as so often happens in a world of sedentary beings with ready access to processed foods, becomes unhealthy. What will it take for Charlie to get back into shape and healthy again? Kids will learn valuable lessons in this lavishly illustrated and fun-to-read book and its many songs.

Since publishing the book, Rhonda and Ida have traveled to promote its lessons, engaging kids all over the country.  You can find out more about the book here. Here's a video (click here if viewing in email) of part of their fun presentation at Dublin A.M, in which they discuss their inspiration for writing the book.  You can see their entire presentation on Dublin A.M.'s YouTube channel. They are at once entertaining and educational; we can hope their energy will engage more children (and adults) to live healthy.