Book Review - Oliver McCoy - The Boy Who Loved Onions

About the Book
Oliver McCoy - The Boy Who Loved Onions is an entertaining and humorous story - in rhyme - that describes the unusual dilemma of an almost eight year old who is "stuck" on one food and one food only. The story is told, in part, from the child's perspective, as Oliver struggles with both the joys - and the consequences - of preferring and eating such an unusual vegetable for a little guy. 

While this book is about a small boy eating onions only, it is the introduction to a series of Oliver McCoy books that emphasize the pleasures and value of eating vegetables - and fruits - to help children see these foods in a more positive way. It is Dr. Joelson's belief that casting vegetables and fruits in a positive and appealing light for young children represents an unusual entry into the world of young children's literature at a time when concerns about unhealthy eating and resulting obesity in children is high on our national agenda. 

Perhaps the Oliver McCoy series has the potential to contribute something of value to young children and their families at a time of such concern and focus on good nutrition. The 60 page fully illustrated book is written for children between ages 3-8 years old. A professionally recorded audio CD of Dr. Joelson reading the story is included with the book as well.

While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, West Africa, he taught elementary school age children where mutual storytelling was a daily event. Dr. Joelson developed an appreciation for the power and value of stories and rhymes as a form of adult-child communication. As a psychotherapist and educator, he has written numerous articles on matters of emotional and social well-being which have appeared in New York publications. Oliver McCoy - The Boy Who Loved Onions is his first children's book.


My Take on the BookIn our times of poor eating habits and the obesity of our children and nation, Dr. Richard B. Joelson has decided to write books for children about healthy eating. Here is one of the stories he created.

Oliver loves onions. He is addicted to onions. He eats them morning, noon ,and night. He eats them sauteed, roasted, fried, baked, and raw. Oliver prefers onions to sweets and any other kind of food.

Unfortunately onions give Oliver's breath an unpleasant odor , so his mother recommends he eat a mint. In the meantime, he tries to eat other foods. He tries burgers, chicken, ice cream, chocolate cake, broccoli , and more, but Oliver still loves onions.

As the book comes to an end, Oliver decides to return to his favorite food: onions.

The book is written in rhyme so it is an easy one to enjoy. It is a good choice to read to children who seem just to have favorite foods and will not even try other foods. It should at least open up an avenue for brainstorming other food alternatives your child/children could try.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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