Ex-NYC Mayor Ed Koch Pens Children's Book Based On His Battle With The Bulge
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Former New York City mayor Ed Koch has written a children's book based on his experience as a chubby child.
The book is called "Eddie Shapes Up" and is written Koch's sister Pat Koch Thaler, who he says also was overweight as a kid.
"It's a reference to the fact that I was a pudgy kid who suffered a lot when other kids called me 'fatso,'" Koch told 1010 WINS.
The story is about a an overweight boy who hates recess because he is an easy dodge ball target, but eventually decides to get healthy with the support of his friends and family.
"It talks about my childhood when I was pudgy and fat and suddenly I changed, you can do it, any child can do it," Koch said.
The 86-year-old Koch said he wanted to write the book to help children understand the importance of a healthy diet and exercise throughout their lives.
The book, which will be published by Zagat in September, is recommended for children ages 4 to 8.
The book features illustrations by Jonathan Hoefer and an introduction written by former President Bill Clinton.
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