TIME TO TAKE THE TABOO OUT OF P——
AN Ocean Grove couple’s new book is taking the taboo out of poo to encourage children to eat well.
There’s a Zoo in My Poo explores all things gut health in an understandable format to give children the knowledge to look after the healthy bacteria in their bodies.
Deakin University professor Felice Jacka and her husband Rob Craw, a musician and Sacred Heart College teacher, are the minds behind the fun and educational picture book.
Prof Jacka said the pair wrote the book in a bid to shed light on unhealthy diets — the leading cause of illness and early death across the world.
“By giving children, parents and teachers evidence-based information, we hope we might give them the tools to support them in making healthy food choices,” Prof Jacka said.
“Gut bacteria is central to immune function and it also feeds into other aspects of physical and mental health too.
“You’re in charge of this zoo that lives in your poo, and what you feed it is really important.”
Prof Jacka, a world expert in the field of nutritional psychiatry, led the science facts, while Mr Craw did the illustrations and rhymes.
The book, set for release on Tuesday, also includes an array of original healthy recipes, such as “zoo-poo stew”, “farty toast” and “bug breakfasts”.
Mr Craw said never in his “wildest dreams” did he imagine he would create illustrations for a kids’ book, and he said it felt special to do so alongside his wife.
“We’ve been together for 35 years, but this is the first time we’ve done something like this together,” Mr Craw said.