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Get Up and Go!
We all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round. Your body is your own, and you need to take care of it. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or simply time for a change, this book is the perfect catalyst to get readers moving. Vibrant, fun-filled illustrations and an encouraging text explain the many great reasons to exercise, from making new friends to going new places, or just because it’s good for your body. Nancy Carlson’s gleeful, kid-friendly story is sure to make readers young and old get up and exercise!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 6, 2012
Carlson tried to give a strong book for kids where she encouraged exercise but the book fell a little short. I was hoping to use it for one of my programs with 3-5 year olds, which would be the suggested age range for this title, but the book read both awkwardly and too old. There were slight points thrown throughout that made references to the need for kids to keep their lungs smoke free or points where it wasn't clear how the book was to be read based on the page layout. I could see this maybe working with kids as a read-alone book or one-on-one, but for a program or a group of kids this wouldn't be something that I would recommend.
February 14, 2017
Summary:
“We all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round. Your body is your own, and you need to take care of it.” This book is all about turning off the tv and exercising. Exercise is not only good for your heart and lungs but it’s also important to help burn off unhealthy foods we tend to eat sometimes. Exercise can be fun, relaxing, and can even take you to amazing places. It can also help you learn good sportsmanship and making new friends. From playing baseball with friends, climbing mountains, to even dancing around in your house, there are so many fun ways to exercise.
Theme(s):
The theme is all about living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of exercising. It’s important to take care of the body that you have been given and loving it too. Everyone’s body is different and that is why you shouldn’t compare it to others.
Star Rating: 4 stars
Personal Response:
This story reminds me a lot of my childhood and how much I loved to play outside every chance I got. Sometimes its hard for little kids to think of different ways to exercise though. It’s especially hard for children who may not necessarily be athletic or really enjoy sports. By showing how exercise can be fun and there are so many different types, it lets all kids find their own type of exercising they personally enjoy.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to help start the conversation with young children about how to live healthy lives. By introducing this concept at a young age, that can help them start healthy habits and continue that for the rest of their lives. Not all children can easily understand this concept, especially when it comes to loving your body. This is a fun and lighthearted way of teaching both boys and girls to love their bodies whether they’re tall, short, skinny, or round.
“We all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round. Your body is your own, and you need to take care of it.” This book is all about turning off the tv and exercising. Exercise is not only good for your heart and lungs but it’s also important to help burn off unhealthy foods we tend to eat sometimes. Exercise can be fun, relaxing, and can even take you to amazing places. It can also help you learn good sportsmanship and making new friends. From playing baseball with friends, climbing mountains, to even dancing around in your house, there are so many fun ways to exercise.
Theme(s):
The theme is all about living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of exercising. It’s important to take care of the body that you have been given and loving it too. Everyone’s body is different and that is why you shouldn’t compare it to others.
Star Rating: 4 stars
Personal Response:
This story reminds me a lot of my childhood and how much I loved to play outside every chance I got. Sometimes its hard for little kids to think of different ways to exercise though. It’s especially hard for children who may not necessarily be athletic or really enjoy sports. By showing how exercise can be fun and there are so many different types, it lets all kids find their own type of exercising they personally enjoy.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to help start the conversation with young children about how to live healthy lives. By introducing this concept at a young age, that can help them start healthy habits and continue that for the rest of their lives. Not all children can easily understand this concept, especially when it comes to loving your body. This is a fun and lighthearted way of teaching both boys and girls to love their bodies whether they’re tall, short, skinny, or round.
February 12, 2017
Summary: Get Up and Go is a cute story that emphasizes the importance of exercise and different fun and exciting ways to exercise. This book is very encouraging and gives many different ways you can exercise and stay healthy. There are many different animals shown in the book to show children that, "we all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn't matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round". Exercise is also promoted throughout the book by pictures showing how you can workout at home or outside at various places such as a park or in the ocean.
Themes: The major theme of this story is promoting a healthy lifestyle and loving your own body, no matter what it looks like. The illustrations in the book show various ways to live a healthy lifestyle in a fun and creative way that would encourage children to go outside and exercise. Loving your own body is also a big theme of this book, as the author teaches children that is okay that we all look different and that we are all special.
Personal Response: This story was very fun to read because it shows various ways to exercise and how to make that more fun. I think I would have enjoyed this book when I was younger because it showed the characters playing different sports that I played, so I would have been able to draw that comparison with the book.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to young readers because it is fun to read and it shares a positive message. In today's society that is concerned with how one looks, I think this book would allow children the chance to see why they should love their body and how everyone is different yet special.
Themes: The major theme of this story is promoting a healthy lifestyle and loving your own body, no matter what it looks like. The illustrations in the book show various ways to live a healthy lifestyle in a fun and creative way that would encourage children to go outside and exercise. Loving your own body is also a big theme of this book, as the author teaches children that is okay that we all look different and that we are all special.
Personal Response: This story was very fun to read because it shows various ways to exercise and how to make that more fun. I think I would have enjoyed this book when I was younger because it showed the characters playing different sports that I played, so I would have been able to draw that comparison with the book.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to young readers because it is fun to read and it shares a positive message. In today's society that is concerned with how one looks, I think this book would allow children the chance to see why they should love their body and how everyone is different yet special.
picture-books
August 3, 2026Book one (2-3 minutes): Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold
Song/Rhyme/Game one (3-4 minutes): If Your Happy by Super Simple Songs
Book two (5-8 minutes): Get Up and Go! By Nancy Carlson
Song/Rhyme/Game two (5-8 minutes): Silly Dance Contest
Book three (2-3 minutes): How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon by Jane Yolen
Book Four (2-3 minutes): The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems
Song/Rhyme/Game two (5-8 minutes): The Bath Song by Super Simple Songs with “soap balloons”
Activity: Coloring sheets and doctor’s bag craft http://tippytoecrafts.blogspot.com/20...
Song/Rhyme/Game one (3-4 minutes): If Your Happy by Super Simple Songs
Book two (5-8 minutes): Get Up and Go! By Nancy Carlson
Song/Rhyme/Game two (5-8 minutes): Silly Dance Contest
Book three (2-3 minutes): How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon by Jane Yolen
Book Four (2-3 minutes): The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems
Song/Rhyme/Game two (5-8 minutes): The Bath Song by Super Simple Songs with “soap balloons”
Activity: Coloring sheets and doctor’s bag craft http://tippytoecrafts.blogspot.com/20...
May 7, 2017
Read this as a part of a Nancy Carlson unit and like her other books, kids enjoy the book, but they also seem to miss the point. When I read about we come in all shapes and sizes, tall, short, skinny and round, they started shouting about wanting to be tall and skinny. I felt badly for kids that might already feel they fall into one of those negative categories. Good message, but in my opinion, I don't think it sinks in with the intended audience.
January 30, 2022
I love the idea of this book. Not sure how I feel about the message to keep your lungs “smoke-free” at this age. The illustrations are colorful and fit well with the child-like nature of the text. An inspirational book for early readers to getting moving with lots of ideas to find their favorite way to exercise.
November 4, 2017
I was a little unsure about using this for my storytime on movement, but it ended up going over very well. The illustrations were simple and easy to see, and the text, while I worried it would be too dry, seemed to work well with my group. I would absolutely use it again.
October 29, 2018
While not as good as I Like Me!, this companion book encourages healthy lifestyles for children. A solid read.
January 4, 2019
Picture Book
February 11, 2021
This book teaches children the importance of exercising, and encourages them to "get up and go!"
September 7, 2021
I love how this book promotes exercise for children and how it explains the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy body.
December 12, 2021
This is a terrific book about exercise from the wonderful Nancy Carlson. It's not quite as great as I Like Me, but it's still fun and refreshing.
February 22, 2025
and motivating book that inspires kids to stay active and enjoy movement.
June 23, 2011
I LOVE this book. It is perfect for inspiring children to exercise while assuring them that it is okay for people to come in different sizes. The book focuses on health, wellness, and motivation and not on waistlines and bathing suit sizes. In a weight obsessed/food obsessed society, a book that approaches exercise with a healthy outlook is appreciated!
November 30, 2009
Pretty good for a exercise promotion book. The title was easy enough that he read it himself. It got a little more difficult, vocabulary- and concept-wise, from there. I was glad that some of the sports shown on the last page were ones my son really liked (golf, swimming).
March 11, 2011
Get Up and Go! is an example of the way books are getting into the campaign against childhood obesity. The text and bold illustrations encourage youngsters to get off the couch and get into activities ranging from sports to gardening.
April 15, 2009
Carlson invites readers to turn off the TV and Video games in favor of moving.
July 22, 2012
Quite boring
August 22, 2012
This is a good book for teaching students about taking care of their bodies. The book list a lot of ways you can get up and move around.
October 10, 2013
Read for Early Headstart 10.3.2013
January 9, 2014
A picture book about the benefits of exercise.
Colorful illustrations and simple text make this a good addition to an exercise story time.
Colorful illustrations and simple text make this a good addition to an exercise story time.
September 6, 2014
a great message, fantastic for all kids to read and follow!
to get up and exercise, it isn't that being sedentary is bad,
it is that it needs to be balanced with activity.
to get up and exercise, it isn't that being sedentary is bad,
it is that it needs to be balanced with activity.
January 30, 2016
Too didactic.
November 21, 2016
Fun book to introduce nutrition and exercise.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews