Big fat lies: advertising tricks.

by John Burstein Published by Crabtree Publishing Company, 2008.

I have had great trouble locating books explaining how advertising works for primary children, so I was pleased when I came across this. The book's focus is on a food advertisement, but the information can be used to help students analyse different types of advertising. The web addresses at the back of the book for further information on advertising were all live at the time of writing, and I thought they were informative and useful.

The story follows the discoveries a young high school student, Martina, makes about advertising when she spends the summer working at an advertising company on a campaign to sell a new food product. Back at school, she discusses her ideas and concerns with her teacher, Mrs Simon, and learns how read an advertisement. The book follows Martina as she goes on to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle. The illustrations are colourful and cartoon in style, and Slim Goodbody pops up on most pages with hints and tips for healthy living.

This is one of eight books in the Slim Goodbody's lighten up series. According to the introduction, these are books to help "young people across the planet become healthy and active". The topics they cover include fast food, food labeling, good nutrition and keeping fit.

Reviewed by Heather