Alexander Testimonials
“Alexander is back!...Kentucky duo Linda J. Hawkins and Donna Eaves have teamed up again to bring youngsters a fun and informative book about the joys of eating healthy food and following a fit lifestyle. With colorful, cheerful pictures and a narrative that is a bit science and a bit adventure, the book is certain to engage and entertain kids...parents will enjoy the surprising amount of nutrition information, including a glossary, a food pyramid and even a berry slushy recipe. It's all designed to get children-and their parents-thinking about making nutritious food choices and taking a step toward a healthier lifestyle. It's a delicious combination."
K. Melissa Burton, Kentucky Monthly
"I
read carefully your book… I found not only interesting but useful to
inform our children … I gave it to a granddaughter of eight years old to
"practice her English" and to bring
it to her school (an important bilingual one) to share it with teachers
and pupils.”
Horacio A. Irigoyen, Economist, CPA, PHD en Administration, Director of a Research Institute of Small
Business
Argentina
“Alexander
and the Great Food Fight and the companion book Alexander and the Great
Vegetable Feud are great stories to teach elementary students about nutrition
and food systems. I have used this book to teach grades K-3. For K-1 grades,
you can read the stories to students in literacy time and do guided reading. So
many skills can be incorporated in addition to the nutrition knowledge and food
history that the books convey. For grades 2-3, students can take turns reading
aloud from the books as well as use the information at the back part of each
book to do research on food and present to their peers, or to include in a paper
or book report. Also, the teachers to whom we've given these two books, along
with the enrichment activities, love them! I get reports for the last two years
about how much use they get from them. The enrichment activities have something
appropriate for each grade group, including grades 4 and 5. For the 4-5th
graders, they can read the story for context to put on a short play. The
charting and crossword activities area relevant to grades 3-5 depending on
where students are with reading level and vocabulary. Additionally the
enrichment book contains a number of structured lessons/activities to use
across elementary schools grades.
I am very excited that Heart to Heart publishing has
come out with a new book in this series, Alexander and the Great Berry Patch!”
Toby Martinez
“I work for
our county’s office of education teaching nutrition to children and we LOVE the
‘Alexander’ books and use them frequently in the classroom. Thank you so
much, I really appreciate your help!”
Allyson Hill, Shasta
County Office of Education, Project
Coordinator- Nutrition Services, Redding, CA
"Recently Ms. Hawkins was a
guest author/speaker at our Logan County Public Library. We could not have been
more pleased! She made the book very understandable for our youngest patrons
and gave and added enhancement to the character interaction for our older
readers. The costumes were also a special bonus - the children loved them. Ms.
Hawkins has an excellent speaking voice for her presentation and excellent eye
contact. She made the audience feel a part of the story. An added attraction
was the service she provided to our parents who needed information on how to
get published and where to start. There was a very positive response from our
audience and we would be pleased to have her back again."
Monica Edwards, Youth Services, Logan
County Public Library
"Linda's presentation of Alexander
and the Great Food Fight was perfect. She had wonderful costumes of the
characters from the book which some of our children wore and acted out the
story as Linda read the book. The children not only heard a wonderful story but
learned many facts about good nutrition. We added a copy to our Library and
there is a list of children waiting to check-out."
Judy Chesnut, Media Specialist,
Deer Park Elementary
"Absolutely Love it! Author, Linda J. Hawkins has once
again captured the attention of young readers and presented healthy concepts
that are so needed!...can't wait to get Alexander and the Great Berry Patch in
our school!"
Rena Buss, Physical Educator, LeMars, IA, Author, Be
Safe, Be Fit
"Alexander and the Great Berry Patch is a captivating book
that provides critical nutritional information for our children when they are
eager to learn. It skillfully imparts basic knowledge to address obesity
and health issues at an early age before these become serious problems.
Linda and her family operate a half acre blueberry planting, so she knows and
appreciates the intricacies involved in berry production from planting through
harvest."
Dr. John Strang, Extension Professor of Horticulture,
University of Kentucky
"In her newest title, Linda J. Hawkins has captured the
valuable message-communicated in a fun colorful way, so much good information
throughout the book...highly recommended for families as well as classroom
use..."
Grace Soeter, Foundation for Healthy Families International,
Los Angeles
"Yet another exciting Alexander book, packed with
valuable nutritional information for the entire family!"
Ena Sabih, author of "Did You Eat Your Vitamins Today?",
Ontario
"Alexander and the Great Berry Patch...provides an
informative, brightly illustrated view of nutritionally correct food
choices..."
Dr. Kevin Z. Dawson, DDS, Littleton, CO
"Awesome informative book!-great tool to teach kids
about the important fruits and antioxidants that are helpful to our bodies. The
best part-honeybees help the berries grow!"
Kelsey D. Salmon, 2010 Indiana Honey Queen
"Informative-so colorful with all the berries-this book
is a motivator-in fact, I am going to go eat some blueberries and yogurt right
now!"
Barbara Popyach, Author
"This is exactly what every parent wants to
find in a book. Children can really get a good grasp on nutrition while at the
same time be totally entertained by the lovable food characters.
...... This book transcends all language barriers because it deals with one of
life's fundamentals - nutrition."
Carmen Van Balen Lancho, Assistant Director, International
Trade Division, KY Cabinet for Economic Development
"Expository Author, Linda J. Hawkins
has dedicated her life, helping families to be healthier and happier. Linda's
mother & grandmother had serious complications from diabetes, when Linda
also was diagnosed she asked, "What can I do to maintain quality of
life?" Through education & research she excerpts tremendous energy to
tackle the challenges of teaching our children good nutritional habits. She has
found this key to be effective. I commend her for her many efforts."
Dawn S. Fraze RN, BSN, CDE, Certified
Diabetic Educator
"The potential health benefits of
heart-healthy eating patterns started at young ages are tremendous! Linda J.
Hawkins has an intriguing way to communicate better food choices for
children."
Becky Woods LPT, CRS, Cardiac Rehab, St. Luke's Hospital, MD
"The State of Kentucky's educational
field is always looking for quality materials to help in all aspects of
learning. We are pleased to inform you that your nutritional books: Alexander
and the Great Food Fight, Alexander and the Great Vegetable Feud, and Alexander
Enjoys his Fruits and Vegetables are superb teaching tools. These books are now
being used throughout the state."
Pam Merrick, Adminstrative Specialist
III, Nutrition and Health Services
"I would recommend this book because
of the good decision making it conveys... The colorful characters are something
children will enjoy as they learn."
Hsin Chang, M.D., Pediatrics Unit,
Huntington Beach, CA
"I think this book would be useful
in health/nutrition programs in the primary grades... with a good hands on activity."
Marianne Bates, teacher & librarian,
Sandy, Utah
"This book is excellent for parents
and children who want to make healthful choices."
"Seeing cardiac diseases daily and
knowing that eating habits, good or bad, develop early in life, but become apparent
only in later years. We realize prevention is imperative! A great start for
children is healthy eating."
"...A fun story, for an
impressionable age with excellent reference charts."
"The information in this book is
needed as children start developing good habits."
Don Johnson, Cardiac Nurse Liaison, The
Heart Institute, Bowling Green