Maggie Goes On a Whatnow?

Oh, gosh. Just look at this.

The children’s book Maggie Goes on a Diet hasn’t even been released yet, but it’s already been deemed problematic by many, and rightly so. Even without reading the book, much can be gathered from both the title and the cover, which shows Maggie, the book’s 14-year-old protagonist, holding a dress while looking in the mirror at a slimmer version of herself.

The summary reads,
This book is about a 14-year-old girl who goes on a diet and is transformed from being extremely overweight and insecure to a normal-sized girl who becomes the school soccer star. Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self image.

Maggie Goes on a Diet is getting some pretty bad press already, concerning both libraries and bookstores as well as health professionals.

Wow, that is some pretty nasty stuff. I think this subject could be approached differently; a book encouraging kids to make healthy changes to their lifestyle that result in weight loss is a good idea. It's kind of a good idea? Except not this way. This way rhymes and has the protagonist losing weight and gaining popularity and attention from boys. Whuh? Couldn't Maggie have friends when she's not skinny who are happy she's more comfortable playing when she's lost some weight but love her regardless? I can just see some parent giving this book to a kid and leading to some self-esteem issues and trauma.