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 Full Mouse,
Empty Mouse (The Book) by Dina Zeckhausen, PHD
Full Mouse, Empty
Mouse (FMEM) is
a story which addresses the complex problem of eating disorders in a language
that children from ages 5-12 can understand. It is both a beautifully
illustrated book and a play which can be performed by high school or middle
school children for an elementary school age audience. In conjunction with
actor/director Larry Salberg of “Applause for Kids” (www.applauseforkids.com),
the story is being adapted as a musical which will be performed at this
October’s National Eating Disorders Association conference in Atlanta. At
that time, the script and CD will be available for purchase.
FMEM tells the story of
two mice who use food in an effort to cope with the stress in their lives.
“Mouse stress” involves an ever-present cat, mouse-traps, a dog and a rat who
chase the small mice. The boy mouse, Billy Blue, overeats for comfort and
solace. His sister, Sally Rose, under-eats in an attempt to reduce her size in
order to be safe. While Billy is teased for being fat, his sister is admired
for her tiny body. Their parents, though well intentioned, are distracted by
work and compulsive cleaning. Their wise aunt teaches them to listen to their
bodies, tune in to their feelings and get their needs met in more effective
ways.
Artist and graphic
designer Brian Boyd has captured the adventures of this mouse family in lush,
vivid illustrations. The rich colors and humorous details will capture the
imagination of children and adults alike. This book will serve as a catalyst
for important adult-child discussions about body size and weightism, the
value of sharing feelings with concerned adults, and the problems that arise
when people use food to cope with life.
 In
addition to the book, there is a 5-day “Listen to Your Body Week” curriculum
which is a companion piece to the book. Each day one main idea will be presented
through the use of the story, fun class exercises, art projects, songs and
guided classroom discussions. Children can create a “Listen to Your Body
Week Portfolio” in which they can include art assignments, songs and other
exercises. Daily handouts for parents will help them reinforce key
concepts in the home.
Through
this program, you can share vital information about how to create a healthy home
and school environment surrounding food and body image. By addressing emotional
eating, the dangers of dieting, weightism and inner beauty, the book and
curriculum will help children develop coping skills which will help them steer
clear of the thoughts, attitudes and behaviors that can lead to eating
disorders.
Please click here to purchase a curriculum.
The Play
The story of FMEM can
be performed as a play by children from 5th graders on up. Audience
members can include children in all lower grades. Helpful post-play questions
and answers are provided to help actors prepare for post-play discussion. The
play has been performed by middle school children for grade school children and
received enthusiastic reviews!
Order your copy of the
script on-line by clicking here.
A limited edition Black
and White version of Full Mouse, Empty Mouse is on sale for $20, plus $2
shipping. A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to The Eating Disorders
Information Network to support their School Outreach Program.
To order your book,
please follow
this link to order online.
Allow approximately 3
weeks for delivery.
Advanced Praise for
Full Mouse, Empty Mouse
"How wonderful to finally
find a kids' book that celebrates bodies, freedom, health and feelings. My
daughter loves it."
"Full Mouse,
Empty Mouse provides powerful lessons that will impact both children and
parents. What a wonderful way to open the door for conversations about food and
feelings that could lead to greater health and happiness for readers of all
ages!"
“Full Mouse,
Empty Mouse is a delightful, fun and honest children's story. In language
kids understand (and adults need to hear), this book cuts to the heart of child
body-image issues, and points the way to healthy, happy self-image. A treat to
read for any age.”
"This delightful
book gently encourages children to embrace and express their true feelings
rather than stuff or restrict them with disordered eating behavior. Through
lyrical storytelling and beautiful artwork it teaches some very complex concepts
in a simple, playful manner that is perfect for young children. It is a joy to
read and a must for any child struggling with food, fat, or body image.”
“Like the best books for
young people, Full Mouse, Empty Mouse is as apt for adults as it is for their
children. By turns witty and poignant -- but refreshingly honest -- this
charming fairy tale for the appearance-obsessed millennium encourages all of us
to explore our relationship with not only food, but also ourselves.”
“In the guise of an
absolutely delightful children’s book, Full Mouse, Empty Mouse is a much
needed weapon in our battles against the body image problems, disordered eating,
and inadequate coping mechanisms cultivated by contemporary western culture.
Preoccupation with weight and appearance and the use of food to express
significant emotional distress appear at earlier and earlier ages; thus, we
cannot initiate prevention efforts soon enough. Full Mouse, Empty Mouse is not
only great children’s literature, it is everything an effective prevention tool
aspires to be: creative, appealing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate,
filled with critical and corrective messages for children and the adults who
read with them. It includes an “AfterWord” for parents equipping them with ideas
and strategies to promote positive self -esteem, a healthy body image, and
emotional resources in children. If literature can change lives, and we know it
can, the lessons in Full Mouse, Empty Mouse will.”
“Full
Mouse, Empty Mouse
has the potential to fill the gap that exists between eating disorder prevention
and obesity prevention. As someone who has sat on many committees where health
professionals that treat obesity were at odds with those that treat eating
disorders, I would happily read this book aloud to get groups on common ground.
It eloquently proves that these are not opposing agendas, rather opposite sides
of the same body image coin. I will be using this to advocate for more
collaborative approaches to prevention for all areas of eating disorder
prevention. The book is a masterpiece.”
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